Harrogate, North Yorkshire travel information
Harrogate North Yorkshire England
Harrogate, in north Yorkshire, remains one of Britains prettiest towns and has long been famous as a popular spa town, although its heyday as a major European spa destination is now a rather distant memory.
Back as far as 1571 is was declared that Harrogates spring waters contained specific health giving properties. This reputation soon began to spread and as more and more springs were found in the area, 88 in total and so the number of visitors began to rise.
With visitor numbers increasing all the time measures had to be taken to offer them places to stay and other ways of occupying their time. Hence a growing number of hotels were built and numerous public bathing houses.
The post war era and the 1930s depression saw Harrogate fade from the limelight. However, since then it has restored much of it Victorian splendour that still appeals to todays tourists. Also it has reinvented itself at a hugely popular exhibition and conference centre with state-of-the-art facilities that attract varied businesses to the area, allowing Harrogate to thrive once more.
Theres also a host of varied shopping and dining outlets in the area that add to the appeal, as does the nearness of the spectacular natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales
