Three days in Harrogate

 

It was in June that we originally booked the hotel in Harrogate as a base for our nephew's wedding. We then  had to cancel when I developed those nasty hives. Fortunately the Crown Plaza Hotel allowed us to change the booking to this week. I guess because the hotel was very quiet with no conferences in the next door centre. 

So in Sunday morning we first headed for Hardwick Hall (free with our NT cards), our usual stop off on the way north. Just as we parked the car, the heavens opened, the only rain during our stay. We had brought lunch with us thinking that on a Sunday the cafe would be busy (it was). So we had our rolls in the car while it lashed down with rain. The heavy shower soon passed and headed for the hall.

The displays inside were better this year with lots more information.

However, much more interesting were the remains of Hardwick Old Hall. There was no access last time we were there, but now we were able to get close to the ruins.

We had a fairly trouble free journey and arrived at the Crowne Plaza around 5pm. Quite a new and smart hotel, we were on the tenth floor! Lovely and quiet. The footbridge is for access to Harrogate Conference Centre. 

We had dinner at Stephano's Pizzeria, a short walk from the hotel.

Monday was to be our big day in York. Just over ten minutes walk to the station for the 9.30am train to the centre of the city. (I remembered the station from the times I went to Shepherd's head office. A good few years ago. Over the bridge of the River Ouse and on the other side the Lendal Tower.

 But our first port of call was, of course ...... Betty's! 

We could live there! I was reminded that we actually visited Betty's many years ago when we last stayed in Harrogate. I found the photos labeled as 1993, (none of Betty's, it may have been their place in Ilkley?) so that's thirty two years ago. It didn't seem familiar at all. The photo below is from this week.  

We were there three quarters of an hour (no queue) and only had to rush off as our tickets for York Minster were for 11.30pm. It was a beautiful fresh sunny day, we were so lucky. We just made it in time for the start of a tour. Our guide was absolutely amazing. He took us all round the Minster with stops to talk about the history. Well over an hour that he made it so interesting. 

We were then able to wander around on our own and look at everything there. We bought the small essential guide and followed their tour.  The photo below from the Five Sisters Window.

To many more spectacular windows.

The Chapter House.

And The Quire.

We were pretty tired by the time we left, just to take in the views outside.

With last of all the new statue of Queen Elizabeth.

Time for a rest on a bench in Museum Gardens.

On our way back to the station, we stopped for tea and a toasty at Costa before a short walk by the river. Not a single bench was free. The train back to Harrogate to pick up some goodies for tea at a huge M&S Food store on the way back to the hotel. A long day as we left at 9am and back at 6pm. 

We were meeting up with Alison's sister and her husband on Tuesday afternoon, so a quiet morning. Starting with tea and buns at the Yellow Chair where we sat outside in the sunshine.

We then found the Royal Pump Room. 

Before heading into Valley Gardens and lots of benches.

We picked up Anne and Chas from their B&B and drove to the RHS Garden Harlow Carr just outside Harrogate. A quick cuppa before starting a full tour of the gardens.

Obviously taking lots of photos.

I particularly liked the Old Bath House with the grilles for the six wells that once provided restorative sulphur smells.

Only a short rest at the hotel before off to find the Mykonos Greek restaurant for dinner. Good food (kebabs of course) and great company.

On Wednesday morning we packed the car and vacated our room before finding Betty's (this time their Harrogate cafe) for breakfast.

Alison and her sister were bound for the shops so Chas and I walked down to Valley Gardens where we found a bench under a shelter as it looked like rain. Chas has now retired so we compared notes.

Met up with Alison at the hotel to find the car for our journey home. Three hours 45 minutes with lots of rain but no hold ups. Tired but having had a great few days.