Another very pleasant walk through one of the North East's beautiful Towns. With a strong historical background it lasts between 35 minutes to 1hr 30 min. It is produced (with permission of Harrogate Council Tourism Dept) based upon a walk by Arnold Kellett available in the Tourist (i) centre in Harrogate.
Historically
Settlements in the district have been found dating back to 4500BC when Mesolithic people occupied the Pennine Uplands.
In the 16th century, Harrogate was a group of farms in the Forest of Knaresborough. In 1571 the Tewit Well in High Harrogate was found to have medicinal qualities. Other springs were found. 1770 an Act of Parliament enclosed an area of common land in the Forest of Knaresborough. In the 'Stray Award' of 1778, 200 acres remained open giving free public access to the mineral springs. The Stray encloses the central area of the town on three sides and remains one of the most attractive features.
A large number of sulphurous springs with medicinal properties were discovered in the villages of Low and High Harrogate. Visitors increased and a well head and Pump Room were constructed.
The two villages had a population of about 4,000 with 10,000 visitors yearly. In 1841 The Harrogate Improvement Commissioners, assisted in the towns growth when the railway arrived in 1848 and the town became a popular residential area. In 1862 a new Central Station, in the Town Centre linked High and Low Harrogate.
Most of the town centre dates from late Victorian and Edwardian periods. Pre 1914, European royalty often visited the town. In the 1930's, interest in "taking the spa waters" dwindled and never recovered.
The Town Today
Has dignified Victorian buildings with cast-iron canopies and cascading floral baskets, house shops, the welcoming Victorian Shopping Centre with independent and major retailers over 4 floors, hotels, restaurants and tea rooms. winner of 'Britain in Bloom' competition acres of immaculate gardens with an array of colour throughout the year The Harrogate International Conference Centre is one of the finest in Europe with a 2,000-seat main auditorium and 8 exhibition halls. The Town now flourishes with balanced prosperity from tourism and as a commercial, conference and exhibition centre.
The Walk
Map
Tourist Information Centre
Begin at the Tourist Information Centre at The Royal Baths...Look out over the open space of
Cresent Gardens. This area was once the hub of the Town. With Royal Baths being probably the most famous hydrotherapy centres in the country, with sulphur baths to local fangopoultices (hot mud treatments). Over to the right you will see the Royal Hall. 1903. Originally called the Kursaal a German term meaning spa assembly hall. The hall seats over 1000. Past the Hall further to the right can be seen The Harrogate International Centre.1981.Conference,entertainment and Concert facilities with over 2000 seats.
Facing Crescent Gardens are the Council Offices. 1931. now the administrative centre for Harrogate and North Yorkshire. With this building on your right walk along Crescent Road. Ahead on your left is The Royal Pump Room. 1842. built over the Town's mineral springs...the old sulphur well. Take time to visit the Museum or sample the water from the tap outside! Appreciate now why it was called The Stinking Spaw! From 17C people used the water for internal and external cures. In 1926 1,500 glasses were served in one morning. Before leaving look down Swan Road at the Old Swan Hotel once used to accommodate those staying in the area to take the waters. Also in Swan Road is the Mercer Art Gallery 1991.
Valley Gardens
Now cross the road and enter Valley Gardens enlarged 1901. The sheltered park gives the appearance of a natural dell with the stream which runs alongside the pathway. On the right is the Sun Colonnade. 1933. Once part of a 600 ft long glass covered walk leading to the Sun Pavilion opened in 1998. Until 1947 when it was moved to The Great Yorkshire Showground the whole area was used each Spring for a Flower Show.
Beyond see the domed building which supplied another popular spa water, The Magnesia Pump Room. 1895. See the Plaque in the centre of the gardens marking the site of Bogs Field containing 36 different mineral spring wells. Many of which were pumped elsewhere, including to the Harrogate Royal Bath Hospital, 1889. which stood on the perimeter of the Park.
The walk can be extended from this point continuing through the beautiful Pine Woods up to The Harlow Carr Botanical Gardens of The Royal Horticultural Society.(2 miles there and back).
Turn around and walk out of the park...
Montpellier Parade
Cross the road with pump room to your left. Walk down Royal Parade to the Crown Hotel. Beyond the large roundabout you will see Farrah's, makers of the famous Harrogate Toffee since 1840, and Montpellier Parade. Walk up Montpellier Parade at the top of which is Betty's Cafe. Here in summer you will see one of the floral displays the Town is famous for. At the top in front of you, you will see the war memorial. 1823. in Prospect Square known locally as 'the pier head'. Beyond the square to the left is St. Peter's Church.1867.
Alternative...TO TOWN CENTRE...At the top of Montpellier Parade...Cross the road outside Betty's Cafe walk toward the Church turning left down Cambridge Road into Oxford Street. On the left is the Wesley Chapel.1862. and on the right the attractive Harrogate Theatre.1900. originally the Grand Opera House.
West Park Stray
Alternative...CONTINUE THE WALK...At the top of Montpellier Parade...turn right and walk along West Park. Continue until you reach the wide open space of The Stray. Notice on the other side of the street the fine Regency Terraces. Cathcart House where Russian Royalty when visiting once stayed. Also on the left slightly set back The Congregational Church 1862. Look for the 8ft high stone pillar marking the 1778 Turnpike...(barrier set across a road to prevent passage until a toll had been paid-Collins Dictionary}.
Walking on the side of the road nearest The Stray, when you reach the busy roundabout 'carefully' walk straight on and cross over Otley Road. You are now walking in Leeds Road. On your right is Trinity Methodist Church 1879. Nearby see the rock marking the site of Brunswick Station 1862, the end of the branch line- York and North Midland Railway. Now turn and cross over Leeds Road. You will need to cross over the grass to join the path leading from the roundabout. Reaching the path turn right and walk onto the pillared dome of Tewit Well.
Tewit Well
Arguably the most historic place in Harrogate as it was the first well to be dug and used. In 1857 William Slingsby's horse discovered the well when it stumbled. Slingsby saw the water tasted it, thought it was like water from continental spas and as a result by 1596 he had the whole area paved. The water was ready for all to sample. Local physician Timothy Bright named the area 'spa' after a town in Belgium. There is however evidence to suggest that the nearby town of Knaresborough had 'spas' long before Harrogate. The present dome 1807 was brought to the spot in 1842 from the old Sulphur Well. Tewit being the local for Lapwing or Plover bird.
Slingsby's Walk
Not unnaturally the path leading to and from the well is called Slingsby's walk. Taking the path cross over the footbridge over the railway and onto the main part of The Stray...open and unenclosed, common land as declared by George III in 1770 allowing all persons access to the springs and to drink the waters. Whilst walking look out for the Cedar Court Hotel built as the Queen Hotel 1687. Continuing on the walk you will see Wedderburn House, 1786. With the house on your right take the path to your left cutting across the Stray. Across on your right over the main road you will see St. John's Well 1631. Discovered by Dr. Michael Stanhope and described by him as salt-free iron water. Nearby on the edge of the Stray is Harrogate District Hospital.
High Harrogate
At the end of the path on reaching Knaresborough Rd. Cross the road crossing and walk toward the long white building. Once The Granby Hotel. Walking toward the building turn left at the corner of Church Square: pass the Empress: stop and look at Mansfield House 1788, once a Theatre. see plaque near door. continue around Church Square look out for the plaque on your left... Christ Church 1831.
Return to the Town Centre.
Take the path leading toward a telephone kiosk. Cross over the road. A few metres to the right of the kiosk turn down the narrow 'Walker's Passage'. Continue on to Kingsway. Cross East Parade and go along Bower Street. Pass under the railway and you are back in town...
For further information: History & Guide Harrogate (Tempus) by Malcolm Neesam.
Thank you
NW.
Please note that Newcastle Walks does not accept liability, for the condition of the walks which can change on a daily basis, or for any injury, fatality, loss or damages incurred by any person. Newcastle Walks are not inviting the public to walk on any of the walks, but are providing information about specific routes, that are available in the North East of England. Therefore any person who decides to walk any of the walks within this website does so of their own choice and at their own risk.
