Near Harrogate Tourist Information

Around Harrogate in North Yorkshire sit some of the county’s most beautiful landscapes and even one of the region’s two World Heritage Sites. To the north west of the spa town is the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which covers a mammoth 233 square miles of countryside between the Dales and Moors. Centred around AONB capital Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale is brimming with scenic walks, natural landmarks, craft centres and beautiful villages packed with cosy inns, quirky shops and tearooms.

To the south of Harrogate you’ll find charming rural villages like Huby and Beckwithshaw offering a fantastic choice of character cottages, real ale inns and an idyllic country location just a stone’s throw from Leeds Bradford Airport and Leeds. Opting for accommodation around Harrogate puts you in an ideal location for exploring not just Harrogate, Nidderdale and the Yorkshire Dales, but also Pennine Yorkshire and Bronte Country to the south.

Things to do in Nidderdale

Some of Yorkshire’s most famous natural landmarks, heritage sites and market towns can be found in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the north of Harrogate. A must visit is the famous Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, a World Heritage site between Harrogate and Ripon. The majestic Cistercian abbey ruins and Georgian water garden sit within 800 acres of North Yorkshire countryside.

Famous gorges and caverns are here in Nidderdale including How Stean Gorge and one of the UK’s best show caves – Stump Cross Caverns. Nidderdale has been an inspirational landscape to poets and artists in the past, and today the AONB’s pretty villages offer up a delicious range of local produce from breweries and real ales to glass and craft studios, ice cream and preserves.

A huge choice of spectacular walking trails criss-cross the region including the riverside Blubberhouses Tree Trail and the Pateley Bridge circular, a 9 mile route incorporating one of Nidderdale’s famous natural landmarks – Brimham Rocks.

Discover Nidderdale’s heritage at various visitor centres and museums including the main Nidderdale Museum in Pateley Bridge with exhibits exploring everything from religion and industries to costume and transport.

Features & Attractions Near Harrogate

Beautiful gardens and country parks sit on the outskirts of Harrogate including the 25 acre Killinghall Moor Country Park rich in wildlife and just 1.5 miles from the spa town sits RHS Harlow Carr Gardens famed for its water, stone and woodland features with year round events and ever changing trails. The garden dates from 1840, and was developed by Henry Wright who discovered sulphur water springs here and built a hotel – today the Harrogate Arms – and a bath house, today the study centre.

Pretty reservoir walks also feature to the west of Harrogate around Swinsty and Fewston Reservoirs in the Blubberhouses area. The Swinsty Reservoir walk takes in the stunning Washburn Valley area.

Where to Stay

Base yourself in a country cottage just minutes from Harrogate around pretty villages like Huby and Beckwithshaw, and browse our accommodation listings below with the range of cottage options catering for couples, families and the family pet too! Opt for a Huby village cottage and you’ll not only be close to Harrogate, but also within easy reach of spectacular stately home estate Harewood House!

Prefer a rural B&B guest house or a country hotel? You’ll find a great choice listed below, easily accessed of the A59 and all perfect for exploring not just Harrogate but also Nidderdale and the Yorkshire Dales. Farmhouse bed and breakfast accommodation flanking the A59 and close to Harrogate offers a real character base, often Victorian or dating from the 18th century with Aga cooked breakfasts, beautiful gardens and exquisite boutique rooms all inclusive. Choose a less crowed rural base around Harrogate – book online or direct with iknow.