Living and Working in Harrogate

Harrogate is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales with the cities of Leeds and York conveniently close by. Knaresborough and Ripon are the market towns which surround Harrogate. Originally a spa town in the Victorian era, Harrogate is now famous for its shops and many festivals. It has also developed a new role as a national and international conference centre, but retains much of its older charm.

Leisure/Recreation
There are excellent facilities in the area for most sports and outdoor activities. Harrogate also has its own Turkish Baths and Health Spa, and for the enthusiastic spectator, Harrogate Rugby Union Football Club and Harrogate Town Football Club are located near to the hospital site.

Harrogate boasts excellent shopping facilities including department stores, boutiques and high street favourites.

Beautifully landscaped gardens and graceful architecture will forever be hallmarks of Harrogate. But there have been some new developments recently, including imaginative makeovers for several main streets. A number of stylish cafe bars have introduced a little ‘pavement café’ culture to Harrogate. The town is dotted with friendly pubs, wine and cafe bars which offer welcome breaks. Cafes and tea rooms of the highest quality, offer local specialities and several first class establishments serve a wide range of cuisine, from around the world. There is also a good choice of lively night clubs all within the town centre.

The cosmopolitan feel of Harrogate is added to by the fashionable boutiques, arts and crafts shops and exclusive design houses, which complement the high street names. Harrogate is the ‘antiques Centre of the North’, where a veritable treasure trove of antiques and curiosities await discovery. When it comes to entertainment, there is a wealth of choice in Harrogate. The Theatre on Oxford Street has a new vibrant image, showcasing the best from Yorkshire and around the country.

There is a long tradition of colourful street entertainment, culminating each summer with the onset of the Harrogate International Festival. The Festival’s opening night parade and Fiesta in the Valley Gardens are eagerly awaited, while the programme always includes artists of the highest repute.

Health and fitness facilities in Harrogate include the brand new Hydro complex, where amongst first rate wet and dry facilities are a 25m eight lane pool, dance and fitness studios, creche and catering facilities. Harrogate has its own ten pin bowling alley and for golfers, there are excellent courses at Crimple Valley and Rudding Park.

Housing/Education
There is a very good choice of housing in a variety of town and country settings. The range of state and public schools is wide, including a number of special schools, and standards are high. There are also universities in Leeds and York.

Transport
Harrogate is equidistant from London and Edinburgh and there are frequent connections by intercity rail links in addition to good motorway access. The Leeds/Bradford Airport for national and international connections is easily accessible.