Harrogate

[Debs]

We've just returned from our first visit and enjoyed a very nice weekend. We stayed at harrogatecaravanpark.co.uk which is on the Great Yorkshire Showground just a couple of miles from the town centre. This was the old CC site which I believe has been closed for a year or two but has re-opened this year after being re-furbished.

The wardens couldn't have been more helpful and on booking in you're issued with a town map and bus timetable. It's not a massive site but there are plenty of hardstandings. It rained non-stop from 3pm Friday till about 8am Saturday but the ground seemed to drain well.

Next door is a great shop and cafe. It also offers a good gluten free menu. Fodder.co.uk. I even managed to track some of the Hendersons Relish down as reccommended by Dux

Next to the cafe is a huge Sainsbury's , with fuel.

The bus stop into town is on the main road outside Sainsbury's, 3 per hour and they accept dogs.

A couple of minutes walk over a field opposite the site (but on an all year suface) gets you to thetravellersrestharrogate.co.uk sadly we didn't get round to trying it (one for next time). This area is also ideal for dog excercise. (This is used as parking when they have the big shows on though).

We really liked Harrogate itself, lots of interesting individual shops and boutiques alongside your usual High Street ones. Plenty of green spaces and people were so friendly (up North obviously). So many places to eat! Didn't manage Betty's this time. Oh yes - people are very well turned out here, glad I took some decent clothes.

Next time I'd like to visit RHS Harlow Carr which is close by - oh that has it's own Betty's too. There is lots to do and see easily from this site.

Sadly the site is closing shortly for winter but will re-open in March.

 

[kcy]

Next time you must go in July and see the Great Yorkshire show. Its on a tues, wed, thurs mid month. Its in the show ground behind Sainsburys. Sainsburys is closed when its on, that was part of the conditions that they were able to build the store. We often go to Harlow Carr and buy a picnic in Bettys to eat in the gardens. The Gardens have loads to see its RHS so well worth a day and a really good garden centre with knowlegable staff

 

[canopus]

The CC site at Scotton Knaresborough is open all year and is not too far from Harrogate. Lots to see in Knaresborough - Mother Shiptons Cave, Nidd Gorge and the River Nidd.

If/when you go to Bettys make sure you try their 'Fat Rascals' but remember to have plenty of 'brass in yer pocket' as Bettys is not a cheap cafe. The Travellers Rest at Crimple used to be a frequent watering hole many years ago for me. It was always a cracking little pub but I believe like many out of the way pubs, its had its ups and downs. http://www.thetravellersrestharrogate.co.uk

 

[kcy]

Bettys fat rascals are uck, in my opinion, dry as dust. sample first. Spent the early years of my marriage in Knaresborough. Fond memories

 

[Debs]

Yes, I saw that Knaresborough was close by - I don't know why we've never been up there before, it's only about 80 miles from home.

I couldn't believe how long the queue was for Betty's. I was own my own for the morning and didn't want to go in and be Billy no mates. By the time Les came to me the queue was massive. Did have a very nice bowl of mussels though in Timberlakes

We'll have to make time for a longer visit

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[TheTwoOfUs]

If you get to Knaresbrough you're not that far from Ripley Castle, Fountains Abbey and Ripon.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

These are MY favourite at Betty's.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Debs]

View attachment 48031
These are MY favourite at Betty's.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Oh my - they look scrummy I was trying very hard not to stare through the windows as I walked past, caught a glimpse of the tea trolly though

The CC site at Scotton Knaresborough is open all year and is not too far from Harrogate. Lots to see in Knaresborough - Mother Shiptons Cave, Nidd Gorge and the River Nidd.

If/when you go to Bettys make sure you try their 'Fat Rascals' but remember to have plenty of 'brass in yer pocket' as Bettys is not a cheap cafe. The Travellers Rest at Crimple used to be a frequent watering hole many years ago for me. It was always a cracking little pub but I believe like many out of the way pubs, its had its ups and downs. http://www.thetravellersrestharrogate.co.uk

I like the sound of Knaresborough - how easy is it to get into town if we were on the cc site? Is it walkable do you think please?

We didn't try the Travellers - the car park looked full to bursting so we settled for Fodder which was very good, had breakfast there too before we left yesterday.

 

[GJH]

We were in Harrogate on Friday but left by 1pm. Jill makes me act as porter at the annual Knitting & Stitching Show

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

Debs, it's about 1.1/2 miles from the site to the town centre.

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[Debs]

We were in Harrogate on Friday but left by 1pm. Jill makes me act as porter at the annual Knitting & Stitching Show

Yes there were lots of ladies being coached in, think all the blokes were going to the woodworking fair at the showground

Debs, it's about 1.1/2 miles from the site to the town centre.

Cheers for this, wonder if we could tie something up with Knaresborough and Hawes, they're both open till 4th Jan..... Hmmm

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

Debs, just double checked and according to Bing maps it's 1.9 miles. There is a small tea room come bistro on site but I don't know what their opening hours are though. There is (or was ) a pub in Scotton which served food which is about 1/2 mile away.

 

[Puddleduck]

We were in Harrogate on Friday but left by 1pm. Jill makes me act as porter at the annual Knitting & Stitching Show

Yes there were lots of ladies being coached in, think all the blokes were going to the woodworking fair at the showground


Cheers for this, wonder if we could tie something up with Knaresborough and Hawes, they're both open till 4th Jan..... Hmmm

Sounds like an ideal time for an informal meet as there is so much going on. Maybe next year?

 

[Hotelman]

I wanted to go away this weekend, and had to think how to persuade SWMBO , so I suggested Harrogate, she likes her 'posh shops'.
We stayed at Shaws trailer park, £18 a night, hard standing, but the toilet block must be 40'yeras old, but very very clean .
Morrisons and Tescos only a few yards away.
The buses into Harrogate seem to run every 5 minutes, I guess about a mile and half into town.

After a morning shopping, I was sent back with the bags, Jack Wills, fat face, Hoopers, Jo Malone and Russell and Bromley. Any smart robber should have mugged me for all the bags !!!

In the evening a bus into Knaresborough, about 10 minutes, so I could watch the football and then a curry !!

A great weekend, and SWMBO was pleased she listened to me....I will be reminding her of good ideas for years to come.....

 

[jezport]

dont forget there is a motorhome show in Harrogate in spring.

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[Debs]

dont forget there is a motorhome show in Harrogate in spring.

Is that a day show?
There was some sort of caravan meet on the showground but they were under cover in some sort of dutch barn type affair.
Could be an idea Mrs P - there's certainly plenty to do

 

[GJH]

dont forget there is a motorhome show in Harrogate in spring.

Is that a day show?
There was some sort of caravan meet on the showground but they were under cover in some sort of dutch barn type affair.
Could be an idea Mrs P - there's certainly plenty to do

It is a day show. We went this year but weren't impressed. We were only there about an hour and a half.

 

[jezport]

It is a day show but as there are local sites you can make it part of a Harrogate visit.
We had positive reports from visitors, and hopefully it will be bigger this year.

 

[GJH]

It is a day show but as there are local sites you can make it part of a Harrogate visit.
We had positive reports from visitors, and hopefully it will be bigger this year.

I agree, Harrogate and surrounding area as a whole is well worth visiting. We thought the show itself, though, was poor value for money compared to other shows.

That isn't unique to motorhome shows (we experienced the same with some family history fairs when we had our business) but the fall out, unfortunately, is borne by traders rather than the organisers who charge too high an entrance fee for what they provide.

 

[jezport]

I agree, Harrogate and surrounding area as a whole is well worth visiting. We thought the show itself, though, was poor value for money compared to other shows.

That isn't unique to motorhome shows (we experienced the same with some family history fairs when we had our business) but the fall out, unfortunately, is borne by traders rather than the organisers who charge too high an entrance fee for what they provide.

Primarily the show is made by the Organizers.
If the organizers charge too much for traders they don't book.
If traders don't book the show is small.
If the show is small the public don't visit even if ticket prices are low ( or don't come back again)

So if the organizers offer good deals to traders the show is big and interesting, attracts more traders each year and attracts more visitors.

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[GJH]

Primarily the show is made by the Organizers.
If the organizers charge too much for traders they don't book.
If traders don't book the show is small.
If the show is small the public don't visit even if ticket prices are low ( or don't come back again)

So if the organizers offer good deals to traders the show is big and interesting, attracts more traders each year and attracts more visitors.

Totally agree. In fact, your post matches almost exactly a friend made to a family history fair organiser recently.

I am aware that the charges made by some venues are high but experienced organisers should know enough to avoid those and pitch both trader and public charges at appropriate levels.

 

[Puddleduck]

This year there were free tickets in MMM for Harrogate.

If there are free tickets we will go and make a weekend (or longer) of it visiting the show one day at least.

Last year we didn't have Buffy so it was a reconnaissance trip and very worthwhile as we were able to cross off a lot of possibles off the list.

 

[GJH]

This year there were free tickets in MMM for Harrogate.

If there are free tickets we will go and make a weekend (or longer) of it visiting the show one day at least.

Their web site says there will be free pairs of tickets for subscribers in the April issues of MMM, Caravan and Which motorhome. Presumably that means they will not be included with copies bought off the shelf then.

 

[Puddleduck]

Their web site says there will be free pairs of tickets for subscribers in the April issues of MMM, Caravan and Which motorhome. Presumably that means they will not be included with copies bought off the shelf then.

No and they were only free to subscribers last year as well.