View source for Harrogate

{{Short description|Town in North Yorkshire, England}}
{{About|the town in England|the former wider borough|Borough of Harrogate||text=For other uses, see [[Harrogate (disambiguation)]] or the similar spelling of [[Harrowgate (disambiguation)|Harrowgate]]}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name            = Harrogate
| type = [[Town]]
| static_image_name        = {{multiple images | border=infobox | perrow =  1/2/2 | total_width=270px | align = center
| image1 = Harrogate War Memorial - Cenotaph.jpg
| caption1 = [[Harrogate War Memorial|Harrogate Cenotaph]]
| image2 = St Wilfrid's church, Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 3221047.jpg
| caption2 = [[St Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate|St Wilfrid's Church]]
| image3 = Bettys Café and Tearooms, Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 6891118.jpg
| caption3 = [[Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate|Bettys Tearoom]]
| image4 = The Majestic, Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 5638459.jpg
| caption4 = [[Majestic Hotel, Harrogate|Majestic Hotel]]
| image5 = The Royal Pump Room - geograph.org.uk - 7559232.jpg
| caption5 = [[Royal Pump Room, Harrogate|Royal Pump Room]]
| image6 = The Kursaal - The Royal Hall Ripon Road Harrogate HG1 2RD.jpg
| caption6 = [[Royal Hall, Harrogate|The Kursaal]]
| image7 = The Royal Baths, Crescent Road - geograph.org.uk - 7559207.jpg
| caption7 = [[Royal Baths, Harrogate|Royal Bath]]
| image8 = Old Town Hall, Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 631864.jpg
| caption8 = [[Mercer Art Gallery|Mercer Gallery]]
| image9 = Victoria Shopping Centre - geograph.org.uk - 738881.jpg
| caption9 = [[Victoria Shopping Centre]]
}}
| static_image_caption = 
| static_image_2_name      = <!--Wait until 2024 for parish and see if it has a coat of arms, the borough one is defunct and should not be on here.-->
| static_image_2_caption  = Coat of arms
| static_image_2_width     = 100px
| population                 = 75,070
| population_ref         = (mid-2016 [[Office for National Statistics|ONS]] estimate){{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
| population_density = 
| os_grid_reference = SE303550
| london_direction         = SSE
| civil_parish = Harrogate
| unitary_england = [[North Yorkshire District|North Yorkshire]]
| lieutenancy_england = [[North Yorkshire]]
| region              = Yorkshire and the Humber
| country           = England
| post_town               = HARROGATE
| postcode_area       = HG
| postcode_district = HG1, HG2, HG3
| dial_code                = 01423
| london_distance_mi  = 180<!-- straight line per MOS – constant and comparable with other place distances -->
|parts_type = Areas of the town<!-- please use areas that link somewhere even if it redirects to this article to keep list short-->
|p1 = [[Bilton, Harrogate|Bilton]]
|p2 = [[Harlow Hill, Harrogate|Harlow Hill]]
|p3 = [[Oatlands, North Yorkshire|Oatlands]]
|p4 = [[Starbeck]]
| coordinates = {{coord|53|59|31|N|01|32|16|W|display=inline,title}}
| constituency_westminster = [[Harrogate and Knaresborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Harrogate & Knaresborough]]
| website = {{URL|www.northyorks.gov.uk/}}
}}
'''Harrogate''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ær|ə|ɡ|ə|t|,_|-|ɡ|eɪ|t|,_|-|ɡ|ɪ|t}} {{respell|HARR|ə|gət|,_-|gayt|,_-|ghit}})<ref>{{cite EPD|18|Harrogate|page=225}}</ref> is a [[spa town]] and [[civil parish]] in the [[North Yorkshire District|district]] and [[North Yorkshire|county]] of North Yorkshire, England. [[Historic counties of England|Historically]] in the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]], the town is a tourist destination; its visitor attractions include its spa waters and [[Harlow Carr|RHS Harlow Carr gardens]]. [[Yorkshire Dales National Park]] and the [[Nidderdale AONB]] are {{convert|13|mi}} away from the town centre.

In the 17th century, Harrogate grew out of two smaller settlements, High Harrogate and Low Harrogate. For three consecutive years (2013–2015), polls voted the town as "the happiest place to live" in Britain.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-33794154 "Harrogate named as happiest place to live in Britain"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903164459/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-33794154 |date=3 September 2017 }}, BBC, 6 August 2015</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Patrick |last1=Collinson |first2=Jim |last2=Norton |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/mar/27/harrogate-happiest-town-live-uk-rightmove |title=Harrogate is 'happiest town' to live in <!-- not a mistake-->in the UK &#124; Money |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=16 May 2014 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407095947/http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/mar/27/harrogate-happiest-town-live-uk-rightmove |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.housetohome.co.uk/product-idea/picture/best-places-to-live-in-the-uk-our-top-30/27|title=Best places to live in the UK – our top 30|publisher=housetohome.co.uk|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-date=8 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408014259/http://www.housetohome.co.uk/product-idea/picture/best-places-to-live-in-the-uk-our-top-30/27|url-status=live}}</ref> Harrogate spa water contains [[iron]], [[sulphur]], and common [[salt]] (NaCl). The town became known as 'The English Spa' in the [[Georgian era]], after its waters were discovered in the 16th century. In the 17th and 18th centuries its '[[chalybeate]]' waters (containing iron) were a popular health treatment, and the influx of wealthy but sickly visitors contributed significantly to the wealth of the town.

[[File:RHS Garden Harlow Carr - North Yorkshire, England - DSC01553.jpg|thumb|[[RHS Garden Harlow Carr]]]]

[[Harrogate railway station]] and [[Harrogate bus station]] in the town centre provide transport connections. [[Leeds Bradford Airport]] is {{convert|10|mi|km}} southwest of Harrogate. The main roads through the town are the [[A61 road|A61]], connecting Harrogate to [[Leeds]] and [[Ripon]], and the [[A59 road|A59]], connecting the town to [[York]] and [[Skipton]]. Harrogate is also connected to [[Wetherby]] and the [[A1(M) motorway|A1(M)]] by the [[A661 road|A661]], while the A658 from [[Bradford]] forms a bypass around the south of the town. Harrogate had a population of 73,576 at the [[2011 UK census]];<ref name="HarrogateBUA">{{NOMIS2011|id=E34004646 |title=Harrogate Built-up area |access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref><ref>The population of the Harrogate Unparished Area is derived from the totals for Bilton; Granby; Harlow Moor; High Harrogate; Hookstone; Low Harrogate; New Park; Pannal; Rossett; Saltergate; Starbeck; Stray; and Woodfield wards then subtracting that part of Killinghall Civil Parish within Saltergate Ward.  The population for the portion of Killinghall Civil Parish is derived from subtracting the populations of Nidd and Ripley Civil Parishes from the total for Killinghall ward.  This gives the portion of Killinghall Civil Parish in Killinghall Ward; this is then subtracted from the total for Killinghall Civil Parish to give the total for the portion of Killinghall Civil Parish in Saltergate Ward.</ref> the built-up area comprising Harrogate and nearby [[Knaresborough]] had a population of 89,060,<ref name="HarrogateBUA"/> while the figure for the much wider [[Harrogate (borough)|Borough of Harrogate]], comprising Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, as well as a number of smaller settlements and a large rural area, was 157,869.<ref name="pop">{{cite web |url=http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2874 |title=North Yorkshire population information |publisher=North Yorkshire County Council |date=19 December 2013 |access-date=16 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807220627/http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2874 |archive-date=7 August 2013 }}</ref>

The town motto is ''Arx celebris fontibus'', which means "a citadel famous for its springs".<ref name="motto">{{cite web|url=http://www.finewaters.com/Water_Spas/British_Spa_Towns/Harrogate.asp|title=Harrogate|work=Bottled Water of the World|date=9 December 2003|access-date=26 December 2008|archive-date=10 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210125035/http://www.finewaters.com/Water_Spas/British_Spa_Towns/Harrogate.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Toponym==
The name ''Harrogate'' is first attested in the 1330s as ''Harwegate'', ''Harougat'' and ''Harrowgate''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harrogate, High Harrogate, Low Harrogate :: Survey of English Place-Names |url=http://epns.nottingham.ac.uk/browse/West+Riding+of+Yorkshire/Knaresborough/5328827bb47fc40c810061b3-Harrogate%2C+High+Harrogate%2C+Low+Harrogate |website=epns.nottingham.ac.uk |access-date=19 February 2021 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928063643/http://epns.nottingham.ac.uk/browse/West+Riding+of+Yorkshire/Knaresborough/5328827bb47fc40c810061b3-Harrogate%2C+High+Harrogate%2C+Low+Harrogate |url-status=live }}</ref> The origin of the name is uncertain.  It may derive from Old Norse ''hǫrgr'' 'a heap of stones, cairn' + ''gata'' 'street', in which case the name presumably meant 'road to the cairn'.<ref>Victor Watts (ed.), ''The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names Based on the Collections of the English Place-Name Society'' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), s.v. ''HARROGATE''.</ref> Another possibility is that the name means "the way to Harlow". The form ''Harlowgate'' is known from 1518,<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=A.&nbsp;H.|author-link=Albert Hugh Smith|title=The Place-names of the West Riding of Yorkshire|volume=5|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1961|page=108}}</ref> and apparently in the court rolls of [[Edward II of England|Edward II]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Harrogate Great Chronicle 1332–1841|first=Malcolm|last= Neesam|year=2005|isbn=978-1-85936-145-0|page=9|publisher=Carnegie }}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Winter Gardens 1910a.jpg|thumb|Opened in 1897, The Winter Gardens Baths are historically one of the town's most famous landmarks. The building still stands and is now owned by [[North Yorkshire Council]], however the premises are leased to [[JD Weatherspoon]].]]
[[File:The Royal Pump Room Museum in Harrogate as seen from the entrance to Valley Gardens park.jpg|thumb|The Royal Pump Room]]

In medieval times Harrogate was a place on the boundary of the [[Township (England)|township]] of [[Bilton, Harrogate|Bilton]] with Harrogate in the ancient parish of [[Knaresborough]], and the parish of [[Pannal]], also known as Beckwith with Rossett. The part within the township of Bilton developed into the community of Low Harrogate, and the part within Pannal developed into the community of High Harrogate. Both communities were within the [[Royal Forest of Knaresborough]]. In 1372 [[Edward III of England|King Edward III]] granted the Royal Forest to his son [[John, Duke of Lancaster]] (also known as John of Gaunt), and the [[Duchy of Lancaster]] became the principal landowner in Harrogate.{{sfn|Neesam|2005|p=42}}

Harrogate's development is owed to the discovery of its [[chalybeate]]- and [[sulfur|sulphur]]-rich spring water from the 16th century. The first [[mineral spring]] was discovered in 1571 by William Slingsby, who found that water from the [[Tewit Well]] in High Harrogate possessed similar properties to that from springs in the Belgian town of [[Spa, Belgium|Spa]], which gave its name to [[spa town]]s.<ref name="CW">{{cite book |last1=Winn |first1=Christopher |title=I never knew that about Yorkshire |date=2010 |publisher=Ebury |location=London |isbn=978-0-09-193313-5 |page=164}}</ref> The medicinal properties of the waters were publicised by [[Edmund Deane]]; his book, ''Spadacrene Anglica, or the English Spa Fountain'' was published in 1626.<ref>{{Internet Archive|id=spadacreneanglic00dean|name=Spadacrene Anglica; or, The English spa fountain ... the first work on the waters of Harrogate|page=10}}</ref>
[[File:Royal Baths Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 632591.jpg|thumb|The Royal Bath House]]

In the 17th and 18th centuries further chalybeate springs were discovered in High Harrogate, and both chalybeate and sulphur springs were found in Low Harrogate. The two communities attracted many visitors. A number of inns were opened for visitors in High Harrogate in the 17th century (the [[Queen Hotel, Harrogate|Queen's Head]], the [[Granby Hotel|Granby]], the Dragon and the [[Grove House, Harrogate|World's End]]). In Low Harrogate, the [[Crown Hotel, Harrogate|Crown Hotel]] was open by the mid-18th century, and possibly earlier.{{sfn|Neesam|2005|pp=102–108}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crownhotelharrogate.com/history/|title=History of The Crown Hotel|website=www.crownhotelharrogate.com|access-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122728/http://www.crownhotelharrogate.com/history/|archive-date=18 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Victoria Shopping Centre, Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 1256386.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Victoria Shopping Centre]]

In accordance with the [[Forest of Knaresborough Inclosure Act 1770]] ([[10 Geo. 3]]. c. ''94'' {{small|Pr.}}), promoted by the Duchy of Lancaster, the Royal Forest of Knaresborough was enclosed.{{sfn|HCACA|2010|p=7}} The enclosure award of 1778 clarified ownership of land in the Harrogate area.  Under the award, {{convert|200|acre}} of land, which included the springs known at that time, were reserved as a public common, [[the Stray (Harrogate)|The Stray]], which has remained public open space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-3360|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708001128/http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-3360|url-status=dead|title=Harrogate Borough Council: the Stray|archive-date=8 July 2010}}</ref> The Enclosure Award facilitated development around the Stray. During the 19th century, the area between High Harrogate and Low Harrogate, which until then had remained separate communities a mile apart, was developed, and what is now the central area of Harrogate was built on high ground overlooking Low Harrogate.{{sfn|Neesam|2005|pp=285ff}}  An area to the north of the developing town was reserved to the Duchy of Lancaster, and was developed for residential building.  To provide entertainment for the increasing numbers of visitors the Georgian Theatre was built in 1788.{{sfn|HCACA|2010|p=7}} Bath Hospital (later the Royal Bath Hospital) was built in 1826. The [[Royal Pump Room, Harrogate|Royal Pump Room]] was built in 1842. The site of Tewit Well is marked by a dome on the Stray. Other wells can be found in the Valley Gardens and Royal Pump Room museum.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Royal Pump Room Museum|num=1149478|grade=II*|access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|desc=Tewit Well|num=1293847|grade=II*|access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref>

In 1870, engineering inventor [[Samson Fox]] perfected the process of creating [[water gas]], in the basement laboratory of [[Grove House, Harrogate|Grove House]]. After constructing a trial plant at his home on Skipton Road, making it the first house in Yorkshire to have gas lighting and heating; he built a plant of suitable size to supply the whole town. When Parliament Street became the world's first route to be lit by water-gas, newspapers commented: "Samson Fox has captured the sunlight for Harrogate." After donating the town's first fire engine, and building the town's theatre, he was elected mayor for three successive years (1890–92), a record never equalled since.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/wdytya_emiliafox.php |title= Emilia Fox |work=The Genealogist |accessdate=7 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/04/edwardfox-emiliafox-harrogate-royalhall-yorkshire |title=Fox family actors return to great-grandfather's glittering Yorkshire hall |date=4 May 2012 |work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Martin Wainwright}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Emilia Fox |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014hrn6 |access-date=7 September 2011 |series=Who Do You Think You Are? |series-link=Who Do You Think You Are? (British TV series) |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=7 September 2011 |series-no=8 |number=5 }}</ref>

In 1893 Harrogate doctor [[George Oliver (physician)|George Oliver]] was the first to observe the effect of [[adrenaline]] on the circulation.

Like many spa town all over Europe, Harrogate's popularity declined after the [[First World War]].{{sfn|HCACA|2010|p=9}} During the [[Second World War]], Harrogate's large hotels accommodated government offices evacuated from London, paving the way for the town to become a commercial, conference, and exhibition centre.<ref name=CW/>

Former employers in the town were the [[Central Electricity Generating Board]] (CEGB), the [[Milk Marketing Board]] and [[Imperial Chemical Industries|ICI]] who occupied offices and laboratories at Hornbeam Park where [[Crimplene]] was invented in the 1950s and named after the nearby [[Crimple Valley]] and beck.

In 2007, two [[metal detector]]ists found the [[Harrogate hoard]], a 10th-century [[Viking]] treasure [[hoard]], near Harrogate. The hoard contains almost 700 coins and other items from as far away as [[Afghanistan]]. The hoard was described by the [[British Museum]] as the most important find of its type in Britain for 150 years.<ref>{{cite news | title=Viking treasure hoard uncovered | date=19 July 2007 | access-date=19 July 2007 | work=BBC News | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/6906107.stm | archive-date=8 August 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808094615/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/6906107.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Governance==
[[File:Harrogate Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 738842.jpg|thumbnail|right|[[Harrogate Council Offices]]]]
In 1884 the [[Municipal Borough]] of Harrogate was created, taking High Harrogate from the civil parish of Bilton with Harrogate and Low Harrogate from the civil parish of Pannal, from 1894 the district contained only the parish of Harrogate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10153608|title=Harrogate (Municipal Borough) through time|publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]]|accessdate=12 November 2025}}</ref> The borough absorbed neighbouring areas in subsequent years, including the whole of the civil parishes of Bilton and Starbeck, and a large part of the civil parish of Pannal, including the village of Pannal, in 1938. The municipal borough and parish were abolished on 1 April 1974, when Harrogate was transferred from the [[West Riding]] to North Yorkshire and became part of the wider [[non-metropolitan district]] of [[Borough of Harrogate|Harrogate]]. No [[successor parish]] was formed so it became an [[unparished area]], with no local government of its own.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/claro.html|title=Claro Registration District|publisher=UKBMD|accessdate=12 November 2025}}</ref>
[[File:Harrogate district hospital main entrance.JPG|thumb|[[Harrogate District Hospital]]]] On 1 April 2016 a new civil parish was formed in the south of the unparished area for [[Pannal]] and the neighbouring village of [[Burn Bridge]], known as Pannal and Burn Bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nalc.gov.uk/library/our-work/create-a-council-resources/1979-pannal-and-burn-bridge-310316/file|title=Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council. How A New Parish Council Was Created In Pannal, Yorkshire|publisher=[[National Association of Local Councils]]|accessdate=17 March 2017}}</ref>

The MP for the [[Harrogate and Knaresborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency]] is [[Tom Gordon (British politician)|Tom Gordon]], a [[Liberal Democrat (UK)|Liberal Democrat]]. He was elected in 2024, ousting the [[Conservative (UK)|Conservative]] who had won the seat at the previous general election.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Calvin |first2=Stuart |last2=Minting |date=31 March 2023 |title=Harrogate Borough Council to be abolished today |url=https://thestrayferret.co.uk/harrogate-borough-council-to-be-abolished-today-after-49-year-existence/ |access-date=15 May 2023 |website=The Stray Ferret |archive-date=15 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515215003/https://thestrayferret.co.uk/harrogate-borough-council-to-be-abolished-today-after-49-year-existence/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It had a Conservative majority since the [[2010 Harrogate Council election|2010 election]].<ref name=gain>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/election2010/council/html/3699.stm | title = Harrogate | access-date = 23 January 2011 | work = [[BBC News Online]] | date = 19 April 2009 | archive-date = 18 April 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240418144316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/council/html/3699.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> On 1 April 2023 Harrogate district was abolished and became part of [[North Yorkshire (district)|North Yorkshire]] unitary authority area, a [[charter trustees]] was formed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/328/schedule/2/made?view=plain|title=The North Yorkshire (Structural Changes) Order 2022|publisher=legislation.gov.uk|accessdate=12 November 2025}}</ref>

The remaining unparished area of Harrogate was subsequently [[Civil parish#Revival|reparished]], on 1 April 2025<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/north%20yorkshire.html|title=North Yorkshire Registration District|publisher=UKBMD|accessdate=12 November 2025}}</ref> with a [[Parish council (England)|town council]], which was elected on 1 May 2025<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/new-town-councils-harrogate-and-scarborough|title=New Town Councils for Harrogate and Scarborough|website=North Yorkshire Council|access-date=7 February 2025}}</ref> with a [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] majority and met for the first time on 15 May.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/new-harrogate-town-council-will-seek-to-take-on-meaningful-role-and-find-the-budget-to-do-so-5126048|title=New Harrogate Town Council will seek to take on meaningful role and find the budget to do so|work=Harrogate Advertiser|date=13 May 2025|access-date=15 May 2025}}</ref>

===Twin towns===
The Borough of Harrogate is [[town twinning|twinned]] with:
* [[Bagnères-de-Luchon]], France (since 1953)
* [[Barrie]], Canada (since 2013)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/pages/International-partnership-between-City-of-Barrie,-Canada-and-the-Harrogate-district.aspx |title=International partnership between City of Barrie, Canada and the Harrogate district |publisher=Harrogate Borough Council |date=7 June 2013 |access-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802062642/http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/pages/International-partnership-between-City-of-Barrie,-Canada-and-the-Harrogate-district.aspx |archive-date=2 August 2014}}</ref>
* [[Montecatini Terme]], Italy (since 1963)
* [[Wellington]], New Zealand (since 1953)

==Geography==
[[File:Harrogate Town Centre, UK.jpg|300px|thumb|Harrogate centre]]
The town has good commuter services for people who work in the [[City of Leeds]], [[City of Bradford]], [[York]] and [[North Yorkshire]] in general.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogateadvertiser.net/harrogatenews/Rail-misery-for-commuters.3804079.jp|title=Rail misery for commuters|work=harrogateadvertiser.net|access-date=17 July 2008|archive-date=6 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206131654/http://www.harrogateadvertiser.net/harrogatenews/Rail-misery-for-commuters.3804079.jp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/2007/week23/inter__57D2D01DD38142A580256E00004160E8_c8f64408-be1e-490a-908a-56a5bd6a4abe.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327031144/http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/2007/week23/inter__57D2D01DD38142A580256E00004160E8_c8f64408-be1e-490a-908a-56a5bd6a4abe.pdf|url-status=dead|title=untitled<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=27 March 2009}}</ref> Harrogate is prosperous and has some of the highest property prices in England, with many properties in the town and surrounding villages valued at [[Pound sterling|£]]1&nbsp;million or more, it is generally considered the most expensive place to live in the North of England.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/article3393083.ece | work=[[The Times]] | location=London | title=The most expensive streets in Yorkshire and the Humber 2008 | date=19 February 2008 | access-date=4 May 2010 | archive-date=16 May 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516224726/http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/article3393083.ece | url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fulwith Mill Lane]] in Harrogate is the most expensive street in Yorkshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/harrogate-yorkshire-dales/|title=Greatest Hits Radio (Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales) – The Good Times Sound Like This|website=Planetradio.co.uk|access-date=22 January 2022|archive-date=21 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121235913/https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/harrogate-yorkshire-dales/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Harrogate is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, with the [[Vale of York]] to the east and the upland Yorkshire Dales to the west and north-west. It has a dry and mild climate, typical of places in the [[rain shadow]] of the [[Pennines]]. It is on the A59 from Skipton to York. At an altitude of between {{convert|100|and|200|m}}, Harrogate is higher than many English settlements. It has an average minimum temperature in January of slightly below {{convert|1|°C|0|abbr=on}} and an average maximum in July and August of {{convert|21|°C|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.weather.com/climate/annualClimo-Harrogate-UKXX1328 |title=Harrogate Historical Weather Conditions |publisher=Uk.weather.com |access-date=16 May 2014 |archive-date=4 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104053704/http://uk.weather.com/climate/annualClimo-Harrogate-UKXX1328 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Climate===
Harrogate's climate is classified as warm and temperate. There is significant rainfall throughout the year in Harrogate. Even the driest month still has a lot of rainfall. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Cfb. The average annual temperature in Harrogate is {{convert|9.7|°C}}. In a year, the average rainfall is {{convert|671|mm}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/location-specific-long-term-averages/gcwgzygp4|title=Dishforth Airfield Climate Period: 1991-2020|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref>

The highest temperature on record between 1959 and 2003 in Harrogate was {{convert|33.1|°C}} on 2 August 1990 and the lowest was {{convert|-16.9|°C}} on 18 December 1981.<ref>https://www.roostweather.com/ukobs/temp_station_extreme_map.php {{Bare URL inline|date=September 2025}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Harrogate (1991-2020, extremes 1959-2003)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 14.0
|Feb record high C = 16.8
|Mar record high C = 22.2
|Apr record high C = 22.1
|May record high C = 27.1
|Jun record high C = 30.1
|Jul record high C = 29.6
|Aug record high C = 33.1
|Sep record high C = 26.2
|Oct record high C = 25.6
|Nov record high C = 17.4
|Dec record high C = 16.0
|year record high C = 
|Jan high C = 7.0
|Feb high C = 7.9
|Mar high C = 10.2
|Apr high C = 13.1
|May high C = 16.1
|Jun high C = 19.0
|Jul high C = 21.3
|Aug high C = 20.7
|Sep high C = 17.9
|Oct high C = 13.9
|Nov high C = 9.8
|Dec high C = 7.2
|year high C = 
|Jan low C = 1.1
|Feb low C = 1.1
|Mar low C = 2.2
|Apr low C = 3.9
|May low C = 6.6
|Jun low C = 9.5
|Jul low C = 11.5
|Aug low C = 11.4
|Sep low C = 9.3
|Oct low C = 6.6
|Nov low C = 3.3
|Dec low C = 1.0
|year low C = 
|Jan record low C = -16.0
|Feb record low C = -13.9
|Mar record low C = -12.8
|Apr record low C = -5.2
|May record low C = -2.3
|Jun record low C = -0.7
|Jul record low C = 2.8
|Aug record low C = 2.2
|Sep record low C = -0.2
|Oct record low C = -4.8
|Nov record low C = -7.9
|Dec record low C = -16.9
|year record low C = 
|Jan precipitation mm = 54.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 45.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 41.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 46.0
|May precipitation mm = 46.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 58.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 58.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 66.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 57.2
|Oct precipitation mm = 66.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 68.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 61.8
|year precipitation mm = 
|Jan precipitation days = 11.9
|Feb precipitation days = 10.2
|Mar precipitation days = 9.1
|Apr precipitation days = 8.7
|May precipitation days = 9.4
|Jun precipitation days = 9.7
|Jul precipitation days = 9.7
|Aug precipitation days = 10.3
|Sep precipitation days = 8.9
|Oct precipitation days = 11.2
|Nov precipitation days = 12.3
|Dec precipitation days = 12.2
|year precipitation days = 
|Jan sun = 65.7
|Feb sun = 79.7
|Mar sun = 114.5
|Apr sun = 166.9
|May sun = 197.9
|Jun sun = 166.4
|Jul sun = 188.5
|Aug sun = 172.6
|Sep sun = 135.6
|Oct sun = 95.3
|Nov sun = 61.2
|Dec sun = 47.4
|year sun = 
|source 1 = Met Office<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/location-specific-long-term-averages/gcwgzygp4|title=UK climate averages|website=Met Office|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref>
|source 2 = Starlings Roost Weather<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.roostweather.com/ukobs/temp_station_extreme_map.php|title=Monthly Temperature Extremes|website=Roost Weather|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref>
}}

{{NSEW|[[Ripon]]|[[Leeds]]|[[Knaresborough]], [[York]]|[[Skipton]]|NW: [[Pateley Bridge]]
|NE: [[Boroughbridge]]|SW: [[Otley]]|SE: [[Wetherby]]|}}

===Divisions===
[[File:Cambridge St - geograph.org.uk - 4315102.jpg|thumb|Cambridge Street]]
[[File:Apartment block overlooking The Stray - geograph.org.uk - 657874.jpg|thumb|Apartment block on West Park]]
[[File:Fulwith_Mill_Lane_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3152477.jpg|thumb|right|Fulwith Mill Lane]]
[[File:Harcourt Drive, Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 7369402.jpg|thumb|Harcourt Drive]]
*''Central Harrogate'' is bounded by 'the Stray' or 'Two Hundred acres' to the south and west, and borders High Harrogate and the Duchy estate to the east and north respectively. It is a district centre for retail and the [[Victoria Shopping Centre]] houses a number of major chains. Pedestrianised Cambridge Street and Oxford Street are the main high streets, and Harrogate Theatre is on Oxford Street. Parliament Street, Montpellier and James Street offer designer shopping and upmarket department stores. An [[Odeon Cinema, Harrogate|Odeon cinema]] is located on the edge of central Harrogate, as are Asda and Waitrose supermarkets. Marks and Spencer has a large food hall in its store on Oxford Street. A number of bars and restaurants can be found on Cheltenham Crescent and John Street, while the [[Royal Baths, Harrogate|Royal Baths]] and Parliament Street are at the centre of the town's nightlife. The southern end of central Harrogate consists largely of detached houses that have been converted to offices, although Harrogate Magistrates' Court and Harrogate Central Library can be found on Victoria Avenue. Some upmarket boutiques are situated along the Stray in central southern Harrogate.
*''Oatlands'' is a wealthy area in the south of Harrogate. It includes two schools, Oatlands Junior School and Oatlands Infant School, and some allotments.
*''Woodlands'' is a large area in south-east Harrogate which adjoins Starbeck/Knareborough Road. It is home to [[Harrogate Town F.C.]], Willow Tree Primary School, Morrisons and Sainsbury's supermarkets as well as the ''Woodlands'' pub.
[[File:Shops, King Edward's Drive, Bilton, Harrogate (25th January 2014).JPG|thumb|King Edward's Drive, Bilton]]
*''[[Bilton, Harrogate|Bilton]]'' is a large area of Harrogate with many churches, stores and schools. It has several schools, Richard Taylor School, Woodfield and Bilton Grange. Poets' Corner is known for its 'poetic' street names and expensive housing. On the first May bank holiday each year the [[Bilton Gala]] takes place. The first gala was held in 1977 and the event raises money for local groups and organisations.
*''Jennyfields'' is a large, modern area in the north west of Harrogate, it has two schools, Saltergate Infant School and Saltergate Primary School. The town's main public swimming pool is located on the edge of Jennyfield.
*The ''Duchy estate'' is an area close to central Harrogate where most houses are large detached homes or large detached homes converted into flats. There are several private schools, notably [[Harrogate Ladies' College]]. There is a golf club and open countryside for walking.
[[File:Harrogate Ladies' College - geograph.org.uk - 1197828.jpg|thumb|[[Harrogate Ladies' College]]]]
[[File:Former Star Inn, High Street, Starbeck (10th July 2020).jpg|thumb|High Street, Starbeck]]
*''[[Starbeck]]'' is a large area to the east of Harrogate with a railway station with trains to elsewhere in Harrogate on to Leeds, Knaresborough and [[York]]. A frequent bus service links Starbeck to Harrogate and Knaresborough. A number of schools, churches and shops are situated in Starbeck.
*''Pannal'' is to the south of Harrogate, off the [[A61 road]]. It retains much of its village character. [[Pannal railway station]] links it to Harrogate and on to York, Knaresborough and Leeds.
*''High Harrogate'' is an inner section to the east of the town centre. It is focused on Westmoreland Street and the A59 Skipton Road, where a number of shops and cafés are located. Expensive terraced houses line the Stray, which stops in High Harrogate.
*''Low Harrogate'' is an inner section to the west of the town centre. It is the focus of most tourist activity in the town, with the Royal Pump Room, [[Mercer Art Gallery]] and the Valley Gardens.
*''Harlow Hill'' is a district to the west of the town, accessed by Otley Road. It has a number of new developments and an office park. It is known for RHS Harlow Carr Gardens. [[Harrogate Spring Water]] bottling plant is on Harlow Hill, as is a water treatment centre.
[[File:Maisonettes, Chatsworth Grove, Harrogate (10th July 2020).jpg|thumb|Chatsworth Grove, New Park]]
*''New Park'' is a small area to the north of Harrogate with a primary school. There are a number of terraced houses and some light industrial and commercial premises.
*''Wheatlands'' is a wealthy district south of the Stray. It is residential and has two high schools, St Aidan's and St John Fisher's.
[[File:Wheatlands Road, Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 2458357.jpg|thumb|Wheatlands Road, Harrogate]]
*''Knox'', north of the town, is separated from Bilton by greenbelt. It straddles [[Oak Beck (Harrogate)|Oak Beck]], which vehicles used to be able to cross via a ford. This route was blocked in the 1980s and the beck can now be crossed only by pedestrians and cyclists using the adjacent Spruisty packhorse bridge. Cars must go via the A61 (Ripon) road.
*''Hornbeam Park'' is a small, recently developed area accessed only by Hookstone Road.  It was developed as an office park and retains many offices, and is also home to [[Harrogate College]] (formerly part of [[Hull College|Hull College Group]], but part of [[Luminate Education Group]], previously known as [[Leeds City College]], since 1 August 2019), a [[Nuffield Foundation|Nuffield]] fitness and wellbeing centre, Travel Inn and restaurant, hospice and some small warehouses. It is served by [[Hornbeam Park railway station]] with trains to Harrogate and Leeds.
*In 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023, ''<span class="anchor" id="Fulwith Mill Lane">Fulwith Mill Lane</span>'' was labelled the most expensive road in Yorkshire. It is located within the [[Golden Triangle (Yorkshire)|Golden Triangle]] on the south side of Harrogate and the average house price on Fulwith Mill Lane is {{GBP}}1.9&nbsp;million, with some properties worth in excess of £3&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zoopla Statistics|url=https://www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/harrogate/fulwith-mill-lane/|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=House prices England survey|url=https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/luxury/property/britains-most-expensive-streets-west-london-holland-park-address-a135681.html|last=|first=|date=27 December 2019|website=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Yorkshire Post|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/yorkshire-only-region-where-housing-rich-list-growing-805503|last=|first=|date=23 September 2019|website=|access-date=}}</ref>

==Economy==
===Shopping and dining===
[[File:Commercial Street, Harrogate (geograph 7509743).jpg|thumb|Commercial Street]]
Harrogate has a strong and varied economy. The town's main shopping district is focused on Cambridge Street, Oxford Street, Beulah Street and James Street where most of the high street shops can be found. There is a wide range of boutique and designer shopping on Parliament Street and in the Montpellier Quarter, as well as independent shopping around Commercial Street.

Eating out is popular in Harrogate, and the town is well served by restaurants. Parliament Street and Cheltenham Parade are lined with many independent and chain restaurants, while there is a concentration of chain restaurants on John Street and Albert Street.

===Conference and exhibition===
[[File:Harrogate International Centre - geograph.org.uk - 738910.jpg|thumb|[[Harrogate International Centre]]]]
The conference and exhibition industry is the focus of the town's business, with [[Harrogate International Centre]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogateinternationalcentre.co.uk/|title=Harrogate International Centre|work=harrogateinternationalcentre.co.uk|access-date=17 July 2008|archive-date=20 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820102319/http://www.harrogateinternationalcentre.co.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> the third largest fully integrated conference and exhibition centre in the UK, and one of the largest in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogateinternationalcentre.co.uk/pdf/Visitor%20Stats%20HIC%20&District2005_2006.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710210310/http://www.harrogateinternationalcentre.co.uk/pdf/Visitor%20Stats%20HIC%20%26District2005_2006.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Harrogateinternationalcentre.co.uk|archive-date=10 July 2007}}</ref> Harrogate draws numerous visitors because of its conference facilities. In 2016 such events alone attracted 300,000 visitors to Harrogate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.harrogateconventioncentre.co.uk/about/our-story|title=WE'VE BEEN EVOLVING FOR ALMOST TWO HUNDRED YEARS.|website=Harrogateconventioncentre.co.uk|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228125554/https://www.harrogateconventioncentre.co.uk/about/our-story|url-status=live}}</ref> The convention centre was developed in 2020 to be used as a [[Nightingale hospitals|Nightingale Hospital]]. However, whilst it has been used in an NHS capacity, it has not treated any Coronavirus patients (as of late January 2021) because the conventional hospitals had not run out of capacity.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Webster |first1=Jacob |title=Why is Harrogate's NHS Nightingale hospital not being used? |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/health/coronavirus/why-harrogates-nhs-nightingale-hospital-not-being-used-3115562 |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=The Harrogate Advertiser |date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128100822/https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/health/coronavirus/why-harrogates-nhs-nightingale-hospital-not-being-used-3115562 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Majestic and Conference Centre - geograph.org.uk - 60081.jpg|right|thumb|Hotels such as the [[Hotel Majestic (Harrogate)|Majestic]] now serve Harrogate's conference industry.]]
It brings in over £150&nbsp;million to the local economy every year and attracts in excess of 350,000 business visitors annually.<ref>[http://www.harrogateinternationalcentre.co.uk/About-Us/What-HIC-means-to-Harrogate.aspx What HIC means to Harrogate] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828132846/http://www.harrogateinternationalcentre.co.uk/About-Us/What-HIC-means-to-Harrogate.aspx |date=28 August 2010 }} Harrogate International Centre</ref> The town is home to the Great Yorkshire [[Great Yorkshire Show|Showground]] and Pavilions of Harrogate, which are major conference destinations.<ref>{{cite news |title=The first news on what's coming at Great Yorkshire Show 2020 in Harrogate |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/first-news-whats-coming-great-yorkshire-show-2020-harrogate-1336980 |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=The Harrogate Advertiser |date=10 December 2019 |archive-date=21 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621094159/https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/first-news-whats-coming-great-yorkshire-show-2020-harrogate-1336980 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Great Yorkshire Showground is the hub of the regional agricultural industry, hosted by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. The [[Great Yorkshire Show]], [[Countryside Live]] and the twice yearly Harrogate Flower Shows take place there annually. The many business visitors to Harrogate sustain a number of large hotels, some originally built for visitors to the Spa.

=== Companies based in the town===
Harrogate is the home of [[Yorkshire Tea]], exported by [[Taylors of Harrogate]], as well as internationally exported [[Harrogate Spring Water]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blow |first1=John |title=Yorkshire's food 'production powerhouse' explored on prime time television |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/go-inside-yorkshire-tea-and-aunt-bessies-inside-britains-food-factories-2925484 |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=The Yorkshire Post |date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906215817/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/go-inside-yorkshire-tea-and-aunt-bessies-inside-britains-food-factories-2925484 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Harrogate Spring Water to be taken over by Evian owner |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-53007637 |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=BBC News |date=11 June 2020 |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205185100/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-53007637 |url-status=live }}</ref> The town also exports [[Farrah's Toffee]], [[Harrogate Blue]] cheese.
[[File:The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 1909826.jpg|thumb|The Old Swan Hotel]]
The following companies are either headquartered or have significant bases in Harrogate.

* Adler and Allan – Environmental services to the oil industry
* [[Association for Perioperative Practice]] – medical training charity
* [[Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate]] – Tea rooms, bakers, tea and coffee merchants and blenders
* [[Fattorini and Sons]] – Jeweller
* [[Harrogate Convention Centre]] – conference centre
* [[Harrogate Spring Water]] – Bottled water suppliers
* [[Old Swan Hotel]] – Hotel, part of the Classic Lodges group
* [[Transdev Blazefield]] – Bus holding company; parent company of [[Harrogate Bus Company]].  Until 1987, Harrogate was also the headquarters of the precursor [[West Yorkshire Road Car Company]].
* White Stone – The Ski Store – Ski wear and equipment online store, with retail premises in Harrogate

===Military===
Two military installations are located to the west of Harrogate, the [[Army Foundation College]] and [[RAF Menwith Hill]], an electronic monitoring station. There used to be a [[Royal Air Force]] supply depot and logistics centre on St George's Road in the south-west of the town, but this closed down in 1994.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bellamy|first1=Christopher|title=RAF changes will create two new command units|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/raf-changes-will-create-two-new-command-units-1540405.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/raf-changes-will-create-two-new-command-units-1540405.html |archive-date=9 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=24 November 2017|work=The Independent|date=15 August 1992}}</ref> During the [[Second World War]], [[RAF Harrogate]] was used as a training establishment for medical staff and recruit training for the [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Escott|first1=Beryl E.|title=Women in air force blue : the story of women in the Royal Air Force from 1918 to the present day|date=1989|publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd.|location=Wellingborough|isbn=1-85260-066-7|pages=122–131}}</ref>

==Landmarks==
<!--if a religion section is created add [[File:Jubilee Memorial Harrogate 1 February 2023 (2).jpg|thumb|[[Jubilee Memorial, Harrogate|Jubilee Memorial]]]]-->
{{See also|Places of worship in Harrogate}}
[[File:St Mark's Church on east side of Leeds Road (geograph 7410610).jpg|right|thumb|[[St Mark's Church, Harrogate|St Mark's Church]]]]
There are many fine examples of architecture about the town. The only [[Grade I listed]] building in Harrogate is [[St Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate|St Wilfrid, Duchy Road]], which was designed by the architect [[Temple Lushington Moore]] and is often considered to be his masterpiece.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pevsner|first1=Nikolaus|title=The Buildings of England. Yorkshire: The West Riding|date=1967|publisher=Penguin Books|location=London|isbn=0-14-071017-5|page=248|edition=2nd}}</ref> In Station Parade stands the [[Jubilee Memorial, Harrogate|Jubilee Memorial]], commemorating [[Queen Victoria]]'s 1887 golden jubilee.<ref name="Leeds Mercury 7 October 1887" >{{cite news |title=Unveiling the statue of Queen Victoria at Harrogate |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000076/18871007/006/0003 |access-date=14 July 2021 |work=Leeds Mercury |agency=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |date=7 October 1887 |page=3 col.4 }}</ref>

===Montpellier Quarter===
An imposing cenotaph is an important landmark in the centre of the town. Bettys are tea rooms established in 1919 owned by [[Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate]] – the same company that markets [[Yorkshire Tea]]. Bettys has a second tea room at the RHS Harlow Carr Gardens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bettys.co.uk/tea-rooms/locations/harrogate|title=Harrogate|work=bettys.co.uk|access-date=26 August 2015|archive-date=17 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817232925/http://www.bettys.co.uk/tea-rooms/locations/harrogate|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Mercer Art Gallery,<ref name="Mercer">{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402072348/http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-995|url-status=dead|title=Mercer Art Gallery|archive-date=2 April 2009}}</ref> now operated by North Yorkshire Council,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=North Yorkshire Council |url=https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture/museums-and-galleries/museums-harrogate-area/mercer-art-gallery |title=Mercer Art Gallery |date=17 February 2023 |accessdate= 6 April 2025}}</ref> is home to a collection of some 2,000 works of art, mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection includes works by [[William Powell Frith]], [[Atkinson Grimshaw]], [[Sir Edward Burne-Jones]], [[Dame Laura Knight]] and [[Alan Davie]].

===Buildings on Crescent Gardens===
'''Crescent Gardens''' is a small open area in central Harrogate surrounded by some of the town's main tourist attractions including the Royal Pump Room, Royal Baths, Royal Hall and the [[Harrogate Council Offices]]; Hall M of the Harrogate International Centre fronts onto Crescent Gardens.

The [[Royal Hall, Harrogate|Royal Hall]] theatre, a Grade II [[listed building]] designed by [[Frank Matcham]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalhall.co.uk/ |title=Harrogate International Centre |publisher=Royal Hall |access-date=16 May 2014 |archive-date=20 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420235715/http://www.royalhall.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As the only surviving [[wikt:Kursaal|Kursaal]] in Britain, the Royal Hall is an important national heritage building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogate.co.uk/harrogate-band/hbhist5.htm|title=Harrogate.co.uk – Guide to Harrogate B&Bs, Hotels, Restaurants & Attractions|work=harrogate.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051208085156/http://www.harrogate.co.uk/harrogate-band/hbhist5.htm|archive-date=8 December 2005}}</ref> Restoration work was completed in 2007, and the hall was reopened on 22 January 2008, by the [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince of Wales]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/7202162.stm | work=BBC News | title=Prince reopens saved Royal Hall | date=22 January 2008 | access-date=4 May 2010 | archive-date=24 January 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124125740/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/7202162.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Royal Pump Room, Harrogate|Royal Pump Room]], just off the gardens, houses Europe's strongest sulphur well;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aboutbritain.com/RoyalPumpRoomMuseum.htm |title=The Royal Pump Room Museum on |publisher=Aboutbritain.com |access-date=16 May 2014 |archive-date=8 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608021820/http://www.aboutbritain.com/RoyalPumpRoomMuseum.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> it is now a museum showcasing the town's spa history.

<gallery>
Montpellier and Crescent Roads, Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 849771.jpg|upright|left|Montpellier Road
The Cenotaph, Prospect Square, Harrogate (geograph 7509739).jpg|Harrogate war memorial, by [[Ernest Prestwich]]<ref>{{NHLE|num=1446943 |desc=Harrogate War Memorial|accessdate=30 December 2022}}</ref>
The Kursaal - The Royal Hall Ripon Road Harrogate HG1 2RD.jpg|[[Royal Hall, Harrogate|The Kursaal (the Royal Hall)]]
Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 1211612.jpg|The Royal Baths
</gallery>

===Parks and gardens===
[[File:Interior, Sun Pavilion, Valley Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 1444846.jpg|thumb|Sun Pavilion, Valley Gardens]]
{{main|Valley Gardens, Harrogate}}
The [[Valley Gardens, Harrogate|Valley Gardens]], in Low Harrogate, is the town's main park and covers much of the area originally known as 'Bogs Field', where a number of springs were discovered. The Valley Gardens (locals use the definite article) has an ice-cream parlour, children's play area with outdoor paddling pool, a skate park, frisbee golf, crazy golf and mini golf. The [[Sun Pavilion]] at the northern edge of the park can be privately hired for weddings. Tennis courts and a bowling green are in the west of the park. The Friends of Valley Gardens group was formed in 2009 to support the park. It works in partnership with Harrogate Borough Council to guide the park's development.

'''The Stray''' is an area of open parkland in the centre of the town. It was created in 1778 to link most of Harrogate's springs in one protected area by an [[act of Parliament]] which fixed its area as {{convert|200|acres|lk=out}}, and even now when part is removed, e.g. due to road widening, it must be replaced elsewhere. During the Victorian period, there was a racecourse for horses there.

'''[[Harlow Carr|RHS Harlow Carr gardens]]''', on the western edge of Harrogate, are award-winning themed gardens and are the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s main presence and representative in the North of England.

The town has several smaller parks and gardens, including The Softpot Garden at Grove House, the Jubilee Gardens and Victoria Gardens on the eastern side of central Harrogate.

==Culture==
On 11 January 1900, Harrogate Grand Opera House, now Harrogate Theatre, opened with a charity gala in aid of British soldiers fighting the [[Boer War]] in South Africa; this was followed, on 13 January 1900, by J Tully's [[pantomime]] ''Dick Whittington''.

In 1966, the Harrogate Festival of Arts & Science was established, now known as the [[Harrogate International Festivals]], and is recognised as the North of England's leading arts festival;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/what-s-on/an-arts-festival-truly-for-all-1-6485208|title=An arts festival truly for all|work=harrogateadvertiser.co.uk|access-date=22 January 2015|archive-date=30 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630092856/http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/what-s-on/an-arts-festival-truly-for-all-1-6485208|url-status=live}}</ref> it incorporates a number of festivals within the portfolio including the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival & [[Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award]], Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, Harrogate Music Festival and a number of year-round events.

The town hosted the [[Eurovision Song Contest 1982]] in the [[Harrogate International Centre]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maguire |first1=Ben |title=Here are ten unusual facts about Harrogate |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/here-are-ten-unusual-facts-about-harrogate-1273878 |access-date=19 November 2019 |work=Harrogate Advertiser |date=18 November 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103160353/https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/here-are-ten-unusual-facts-about-harrogate-1273878 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Harrogate won the 2003 and 2016 ''[[Britain in Bloom]]'' in the category of 'Large Town' and the European [[Entente Florale]] in 2004, reprising its win in the first Entente Florale in 1977. Harrogate was a gold medal winner of ''Europe in Bloom'' in 2004. In 2005, a [[Channel 4]] TV show listed Harrogate as the UK's third best place to live; in 2006, it came fourth in the same league, where the programme claimed that it placed lower due to "a slight dip in exam results", although presenter [[Phil Spencer (television personality)|Phil Spencer]] noted that it was his personal favourite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/best%26worst/|title=Channel 4 Best & Worst|work=channel4.com|access-date=8 August 2006|archive-date=25 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725072020/http://channel4.com/4homes/ontv/best%26worst/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Harrogate has two orchestras: Harrogate Symphony Orchestra<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harrogateorchestra.org.uk/ |title=HARROGATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA |author=<!--Not stated--> |access-date=17 March 2018 |archive-date=17 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317232834/http://www.harrogateorchestra.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Harrogate Philharmonic Orchestra.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harrogatephilharmonicorchestra.org.uk/ |title=Harrogate Philharmonic Orchestra |author=<!--Not stated--> |access-date=17 March 2018 |archive-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411163309/http://www.harrogatephilharmonicorchestra.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The town is also home to an underground music scene that has produced [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and [[punk rock]] groups including [[Workshed]], [[Acid Reign]] and [[Blood Youth]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Harrogate is a metal capital of rock music – and it's not all Blood Youth |date=24 January 2020 |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/why-harrogate-metal-capital-rock-music-and-its-not-all-blood-youth-1374725 |access-date=6 February 2020 |archive-date=6 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206080306/https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/why-harrogate-metal-capital-rock-music-and-its-not-all-blood-youth-1374725 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fastix: New UK Hardcore Band Kick Off 2020 with Purpose |date=15 January 2020 |url=https://www.noecho.net/features/fastix-uk-hardcore |access-date=6 February 2020 |archive-date=6 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206080612/https://www.noecho.net/features/fastix-uk-hardcore |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also home to ''Bombed Out'' records, an independent record label, who has signed groups such as [[Fig 4.0]].<ref>{{cite web |title=BOMBED OUT RECORDS |url=http://www.bombedout.com/about |access-date=6 February 2020 |archive-date=2 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102075918/http://www.bombedout.com/about |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sport==
===Cycling===
On 5 July 2014, Harrogate served as the finish line of the first stage<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-1.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705102538/http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-1.html|archivedate=5 July 2014|title=Tour de France : Stage 1 Leeds to Harrogate|website=www.letour.fr|access-date=22 January 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref> of the [[2014 Tour de France|Tour de France]]. The event attracted record crowds to the town centre and was televised to a global audience. British cyclist [[Mark Cavendish]] was forced to drop out of the race, when he crashed a few metres from the finish line and suffered a dislocated shoulder.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/28268335|title=Tour de France: Mark Cavendish recovering well after crash|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017200325/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/28268335|url-status=live}}</ref> The town has since been the focal point for finishing stages of the [[Tour de Yorkshire]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-yorkshire-route-stage-by-stage-168714|title=Tour de Yorkshire 2017 route: maps and race profiles for every stage – Cycling Weekly|date=24 April 2017|work=Cycling Weekly|access-date=19 May 2017|archive-date=29 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529152842/http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-yorkshire-route-stage-by-stage-168714|url-status=live}}</ref> Each event of the [[2019 UCI Road World Championships]] finished in the town, although the entire historic county of Yorkshire was the official host.

===Football===
[[File:Harrogate Town v Salford City, Wetherby Road, Harrogate (19th December 2020) 005.jpg|thumb|Wetherby Road Stadium]]

[[Harrogate Town A.F.C.|Harrogate Town AFC]] play at [[Wetherby Road|Wetherby Road Stadium]]. The club competes in [[EFL League Two|League Two]], the fourth tier of English football, following promotion to the [[English Football League]], which came via victory in the [[2019–20 National League]] Play-offs.<ref>{{cite news|date=2 August 2020|title=National League promotion final: Harrogate Town beat Notts County 3-1 to secure place in League Two|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53541549|access-date=2 August 2020|archive-date=2 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802201424/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53541549|url-status=live}}</ref> They have a historical rivalry with [[Harrogate Railway Athletic F.C.]], of the [[Northern Counties East Football League]], located at Station View.

[[Harrogate RUFC]] is a [[North Premier]] team and formerly based at The County Ground, on Claro Road, but relocated to Rudding Lane on the south side of the town.

===Cricket===
Harrogate Cricket Club is to be the home of [[Yorkshire Women cricket team]]. Until 1995, the town hosted one Yorkshire county game per year at St George's Road cricket ground. Since 2022, the ground has been sponsored by Kirbys Solicitors. In 2008, a fire destroyed the historic old pavilion at the ground, but it has since been re-built with a modern pavilion, bar, function room and changing rooms.

Harrogate Cricket Club has 4 Saturday teams:
* 1st XI play in the [[Yorkshire Premier League North]]; they were the league's inaugural champions in 2016 and is one of the teams eligible to play in the Yorkshire championship whenever the team wins the league. The team formerly played in the [[Yorkshire ECB County Premier League]] until 2016.
* 2nd XI play in York Senior League – Division 2
* 3rd XI (also known as ''Harrogate Strays'') play in Nidderdale League Division 1
* 4th XI (also known as ''Harrogate Devs'') play in Nidderdale League Division 5{{when|date=June 2021}}

Bilton Cricket Club, off Bilton Lane, provides opportunities for players of all ages to play in local league cricket; they beat Harrogate Cricket Club at St George's Road in the ''Black Sheep Trophy'' of 2006.

===Field hockey===
Harrogate Hockey Club is a [[field hockey]] club that competes in the [[Women's England Hockey League]], the [[North Hockey Association|North Hockey League]] and the [[Yorkshire Hockey Association|Yorkshire & North East Hockey League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.harrogatehockey.co.uk/|title=Harrogate Hockey Club |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/harrogate-hc/teams|title=England Hockey - Harrogate Hockey Club |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref>

===Other===
According to designer [[Thomas Heatherwick]], the [[Olympic cauldron|Olympic Cauldron]] for the [[2012 London Olympics]] was built in a 'Bond Gadget Workshop' in Harrogate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/07/28/olympic-cauldron-thomas-heatherwick_n_1713388.html|title=Olympic Cauldron Built In 'Bond Gadget Workshop', Says Designer Thomas Heatherwick|date=28 July 2012|work=The Huffingham Post|access-date=8 September 2012|archive-date=31 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731005517/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/07/28/olympic-cauldron-thomas-heatherwick_n_1713388.html?|url-status=live}}</ref>

Harrogate Harriers run from Harrogate Squash & Fitness Centre on Hookstone Drive and Nidd Valley Road Runners share their premises with Harrogate Hockey Club. Harrogate District Swimming Club is at amateur level and has had teams compete at national level. [[Rock climbing]] is a sport in and around Harrogate, indoors at the Harrogate Climbing Centre and at [[Almscliffe Crag]] and [[Brimham Rocks]].

==Transport==

===Railway===
[[File:The Exchange above Harrogate railway station (12th September 2018).jpg|thumb|The Exchange, above Harrogate railway station]]
[[File:Evening Star in Harrogate - geograph.org.uk - 1147232.jpg|thumb|The [[BR Standard Class 9F 92220 Evening Star|Evening Star]] at Harrogate station, 1978]]

The town is served by four railway stations on the [[Harrogate Line]]: {{rws|Harrogate}}, {{rws|Hornbeam Park}}, {{rws|Pannal}} and {{rws|Starbeck}}; services on this line run to {{rws|Leeds}} and {{rws|York}} and are operated by [[Northern Trains]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timetables and engineering information for travel with Northern |work=Northern Railway |date=May 2023 |access-date=31 August 2023 |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/timetables |quote= |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705171120/https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/timetables |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[London North Eastern Railway]] operates a two-hourly service to [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]].
<ref>{{Cite web |title=LNER Azuma: Six trains to serve Harrogate |work=LNER |date=29 October 2019 |access-date=31 August 2023 |url=https://www.lner.co.uk/news/azuma-goes-to-harrogate/ |quote= |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821123917/https://www.lner.co.uk/news/azuma-goes-to-harrogate/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Our timetables |work=LNER |date=May 2023 |access-date=31 August 2023 |url=https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-later/timetables/ |quote= |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922141135/https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-later/timetables/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The former railway lines to {{rws|Tadcaster}} and [[Wetherby (Linton Road) railway station|Wetherby]] were dismantled in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chapman |first1=Stephen |title=Harrogate & Wetherby |date=2011 |publisher=Bellcode |location=Todmorden |isbn=978-1871233-24-7 |page=23}}</ref>

====Former line to Ripon ====
The Ripon line was closed to passengers on 6 March 1967 and to freight on 5 September 1969 as part of the wider [[Beeching Axe]], despite a vigorous campaign by local campaigners, including the city's MP.<ref name="railwaynorth">{{cite web|url=http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2004/5/14/52376.html |title=Reopening line makes economic sense, says study |publisher=NorthernEcho.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102201026/http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2004/5/14/52376.html |archive-date=2 January 2010 }}</ref>

Today, much of the route of the line through the city is now a relief road; however, the former station still stands and it is now surrounded by a new housing development. The issue remains a significant one in local politics and there are movements to restore the line.<ref name="railwaynorth" /> Reports suggest the reopening of a line between {{rws|Ripon}} and Harrogate would be economically viable, costing £40&nbsp;million and could initially attract 1,200 passengers a day, rising to 2,700.<ref name="railwaynorth" /><ref>{{cite news|url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/3702743.stm|title = Backing for restoring rail link|publisher = BBC|work = BBC News Online|date = 11 May 2004|access-date = 4 January 2010|archive-date = 16 July 2004|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040716134836/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/3702743.stm|url-status = live}}</ref> Campaigners renewed their calls on [[Members of Parliament|MPs]] to restore the railway link in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://m.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/campaigners-call-on-mps-to-restore-ripon-railway-link-1-6381730|title = Campaigners call on MPs to restore Ripon railway link|work = [[Yorkshire Post]]|access-date = 2 March 2015}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Buses===
Bus services are operated predominantly by [[Harrogate Bus Company|The Harrogate Bus Company]] and [[Connexionsbuses|Connexions Buses]]. Key routes include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harrogate Bus Services |work=Bus Times |date=2023 |access-date=21 May 2023 |url=https://bustimes.org/localities/harrogate |quote= |archive-date=31 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831074132/https://bustimes.org/localities/harrogate |url-status=live }}</ref>

* [[Harrogate bus route 36|Route 36]]: Buses run every 10 minutes between Harrogate, [[Leeds City bus station|Leeds]] (via [[Harewood, West Yorkshire|Harewood]], [[Moortown, Leeds|Moortown]] and [[Chapel Allerton]]) and every 30 minutes to [[Ripon]]. 
* Route 1: Buses are also every 10 minutes to [[Knaresborough]] via [[Starbeck]].
* Route 7: Runs to Leeds via [[Wetherby]], [[Boston Spa]] and [[Seacroft]], as well as other parts of semi-rural Leeds. 
* Other routes connect the town to [[Otley]], [[Bradford]], [[Pateley Bridge]], [[Boroughbridge]], [[Skipton]] and local estates within Harrogate.

Harrogate bus station is sited in the town centre. It is managed by The Harrogate Bus Company;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogatebus.co.uk/times|title=Times|publisher=Transdev in Harrogate|access-date=24 May 2014|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525214412/http://www.harrogatebus.co.uk/times|url-status=live}}</ref> the 13 stands are also used by other local operators, [[Flyer (bus service)|Flyer]] and [[National Express Coaches|National Express]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogatecoachtravel.com/routes-and-fares.htm|title=North & West Yorkshire bus routes|publisher=Connexionsbuses|access-date=24 May 2014|archive-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020155951/http://harrogatecoachtravel.com/routes-and-fares.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com">{{cite web|url=https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/transdevblazefield/YCD/A2-timetable-20200803-96743b34.pdf|title=Flyer A2 Bus Timetable|website=Passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com|access-date=22 January 2022|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617173904/https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/transdevblazefield/YCD/A2-timetable-20200803-96743b34.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Electric bus on charge at Harrogate bus station (19th April 2019).jpg|thumb|right|An electric bus charging at Harrogate bus station in April 2019]]

In 2018, all bus routes to local housing suburbs within Harrogate became operated by electric buses. These buses charge on stands 1–3 at Harrogate bus station; the scheme is part funded by the government's Low Emission Bus Scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smmt.co.uk/2017/02/harrogate-to-get-electric-bus-fleet/|title=Harrogate to get electric bus fleet|website=Smt.co.uk|date=6 February 2017|access-date=13 July 2019|archive-date=13 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713125613/https://www.smmt.co.uk/2017/02/harrogate-to-get-electric-bus-fleet/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Roads===
Road transport to Leeds is via the [[A61 road|A61]] (north and central Leeds), A658 (north-west Leeds/[[Leeds Bradford Airport]]) and [[A661 road|A661]] (for north-east Leeds). The A61 continues northwards to Ripon, while the A658 connects to Bradford after passing through north-west Leeds. The A658 also forms the Harrogate by-pass that skirts the south and east of the town, joining the A59 linking York and the [[A1(M)]] to the east and Skipton to the west with Harrogate.

===Airports===
The nearest airport is [[Leeds Bradford Airport|Leeds Bradford]], 10 miles (16&nbsp;km) to the south-west, to which there are bus services on [[Flyer (bus service)|Flyer]] route A2<ref name="passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com"/> and train services on the [[Harrogate Line]] to {{rws|Horsforth}}, one of the closest stations. [[Teesside International Airport|Teesside]] and [[Manchester Airport]] are accessible by rail via {{rws|Leeds}}.

{{clear}}

==Education==
[[File:Harrogate Ladies' College (geograph 5638113).jpg|thumb|[[Harrogate Ladies' College]]]]
Harrogate has multiple colleges, schools and private schools:
* [[Ashville College]]
* [[Harrogate College]], part of the Luminate Education Group<ref>[http://www.hull-college.ac.uk/about/harrogate.asp "Transfer of activities at Harrogate College from Leeds Metropolitan University to Hull College"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820125625/http://www.hull-college.ac.uk/about/harrogate.asp |date=20 August 2008 }}, Hull College website, accessed 28 August 2008</ref>
* [[Harrogate Grammar School]], (An academy, part of the Red Kite Learning Trust) Specialist in Language and Technology
* [[Harrogate High School]], a specialist [[Sports College]] rebuilt under a governmental scheme in mid-2017
* [[Harrogate Ladies' College]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hlc.org.uk/|title=Harrogate Ladies' College – Independent School Harrogate|work=HLC|access-date=13 March 2006|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608065755/http://www.hlc.org.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Harrogate Tutorial College]]
* [[Rossett School]] a specialist computing and mathematics college
* [[St. Aidan's C of E High School]], a specialist Language and Science School
* [[St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate|St John Fisher Catholic High School]], a specialist arts and humanities school
* [[Army Foundation College]].

==Media==
*The town's main printed news source is the ''Harrogate Advertiser'', formerly part of Ackrill Media Group, now part of [[National World]]. The newspaper was first printed in 1836.
*The ''[[Stray Ferret]]'' is the main online news service for the Harrogate district.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sharman|first=David|date=20 February 2020|title=Ex-BBC boss to create journalism jobs with launch of local news website|work=Hold The Front Page|url=https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2020/news/ex-bbc-boss-to-create-journalism-jobs-with-launch-of-local-news-website/|access-date=19 October 2021|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020013535/https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2020/news/ex-bbc-boss-to-create-journalism-jobs-with-launch-of-local-news-website/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The Harrogate Informer publishes news online throughout the district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogate-news.co.uk/|title=Harrogate Informer|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-date=11 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311070112/http://www.harrogate-news.co.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The local radio stations are [[BBC Radio York]] on 104.3 & 103.7&nbsp;FM and [[Greatest Hits Radio Harrogate & The Yorkshire Dales]] on 97.2&nbsp;FM.
*Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC Yorkshire]] and [[BBC North East & Cumbria]] on BBC One and [[ITV Yorkshire]] & [[ITV Tyne Tees]] on ITV.

==Notable statistics==

In 2012, Harrogate had the highest concentration of drink-drivers in the UK.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-20641988 | work=BBC News | title=Harrogate tops drink-driver list | date=7 December 2012 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-date=10 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110142628/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-20641988 | url-status=live }}</ref> A March 2013 survey from the British property website [[Rightmove]] ranked Harrogate as the "happiest place" to live in the United Kingdom; the same result was seen in 2014 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/rightmove-news/harrogate-happy-at-home-index-2013 |title=Harrogate is the UK's happiest place to call home |work=Rightmove.co.uk |date=26 March 2013 |access-date=16 May 2014 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125600/http://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/rightmove-news/harrogate-happy-at-home-index-2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Harrogate District Hospital had the best cancer care of any hospital in England.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hdft.nhs.uk/about-us/news/cancer-survey/ |title=Harrogate District Hospital – Harrogate Still Number 1 in England for Cancer Care |publisher=Hdft.nhs.uk |access-date=16 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422152653/http://www.hdft.nhs.uk/about-us/news/cancer-survey/ |archive-date=22 April 2014 }}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{see also|Bands_and_musicians_from_Yorkshire_and_North_East_England#Harrogate|label 1=Bands and musicians from Harrogate}}
<!-----Please use alphabetical order by surname; name comes first------>
<!-----Red or uncited names will be deleted---------------------------->
{{div col}}
*[[Olly Alexander]] (born 1990), singer and musician<ref>{{cite news |title=Years & Years: 'I believe if you want the world to change you have to do something about it' |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/years-years-i-believe-if-you-want-world-change-you-have-do-something-about-it-632684 |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=The Yorkshire Post |date=18 July 2019 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623121741/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/years-years-i-believe-if-you-want-world-change-you-have-do-something-about-it-632684 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Kathleen Frances Barker]] (1901–1963), children's book illustrator and writer. Daughter of [[Wright Barker]].<ref name="Jennings 2022" />
*[[Wright Barker]] (1863–1941), painter, specialising in animal portraits, landscapes, and portraits of people. Father of [[Kathleen Frances Barker]].<ref name="Jennings 2022" >{{cite web |last1=Jennings |first1=Paul |title=The Barkers |url=https://www.harrogatecivicsociety.org/historypeopleindex/people01 |website=harrogatecivicsociety.org |publisher=Harrogate Civic Society |access-date=21 June 2025 |date=April 2022}}</ref>
*[[Donald Simpson Bell]], (1890–1916), [[First World War]] [[Victoria Cross]] recipient{{sfn|RVC|1981|p=25}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harrogatepeopleandplaces.info/ww1/soldiers/b/bell-donald.htm |title=Second Lieutenant Donald Simpson Bell |work=Harrogate People and Places |access-date=10 June 2013 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017200326/http://www.harrogatepeopleandplaces.info/ww1/soldiers/b/bell-donald.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Sir [[Dhunjibhoy Bomanji]] (1862–1937), shipping magnate, philanthropist.<ref>{{cite news |title=New life for the house where time stood still |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/asia-travel/india/new-life-for-the-house-where-time-stood-still-p079r5sjplf |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=[[The Times]] |date=16 September 2013 |url-access=limited |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119160847/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/new-life-for-the-house-where-time-stood-still-p079r5sjplf |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Paul Bottomley]] (born 1965), footballer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paul Bottomley |url=http://www.doncasterrovers.co.uk/players/AtoC/Bottomley%2CPaul.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200055/http://www.doncasterrovers.co.uk/players/AtoC/Bottomley,Paul.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |website=www.doncasterrovers.co.uk}}</ref>
*[[Dewey Bunnell]] (born 1952), singer and songwriter with the band [[America (band)|America]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome home |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/culture/1180462.welcome-home/ |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=The Northern Echo |date=8 February 2007 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821123910/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/culture/1180462.welcome-home/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Jim Carter (actor)|Jim Carter]] (born 1948) actor<ref>{{cite news |last1=McLean |first1=Craig |title=Downton's Mr Carter on the Skiffle star who inspired rock'n'roll |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts/downton-s-jim-carter-skiffle-star-who-shook-his-young-yorkshire-soul-a6987136.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts/downton-s-jim-carter-skiffle-star-who-shook-his-young-yorkshire-soul-a6987136.html |archive-date=9 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=The Independent |date=9 June 2016}}</ref>
*[[Edward Chapman (actor)|Edward Chapman]] (1901–1977), actor
*[[Ben Coad]], (1994), English cricketer<ref name="BBCS"/>
*[[Rachel Daly]] (1991), English Footballer<ref>{{cite news |title=Women's World Cup 2019: Mapping England's Lionesses squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48801235 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=6 September 2019 |date=2 July 2019 |archive-date=2 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702013126/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48801235 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Oliver Dingley]] (born 1992), Olympic diver<ref>{{cite news |title=Dingley learns from Commonwealths |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/diving/9111380.stm |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 October 2010 |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418144329/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/diving/9111380.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Ian Douglas-Wilson]] (1912–2013), physician and editor of ''[[The Lancet]]''<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pincock |first1=Stephen |title=Ian Douglas-Wilson |journal=The Lancet |date=November 2013 |volume=382 |issue=9906 |pages=1697–1698 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62393-4|s2cid=54229048 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
*[[Jenny Duncalf]] (born 1982), squash player<ref>{{cite news |title=Jenny on the up |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7033809.jenny/ |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=The Northern Echo |date=23 April 2003 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821123911/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7033809.jenny/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Wilfrid Edgecombe]] (1871–1963), [[spa]] physician who was instrumental in the founding of [[Harrogate District Hospital]].<ref name="Lancet 1963, 1, 895" >{{cite journal |title=Edgecombe, Wilfred (1871 - 1963) |journal=Lancet|via=Royal College of Surgeons of England |date=1963 |volume=1 |page=895 |url=https://livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk/client/en_GB/lives/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ASSET$002f0$002fSD_ASSET:377517/one |access-date=20 July 2025 |quote=Also in British Medical Journal 1963, page 1350.}}</ref>
*[[Richard Ellis (mayor)|Richard Ellis]] (1820–1895), one of the first mayors of Harrogate.<ref name="1861 Census Richard Ellis junior" >{{cite web |title=1861 England Census, York Place, Harrogate. RG/9/3207 page 12 |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/8767/images/WRYRG9_3205_3207-0586?ssrc=&backlabel=Return&pId=16399319 |website=ancestry.co.uk |publisher=H.M. Government |access-date=24 January 2023 |date=1861 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124163114/https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/8767/images/WRYRG9_3205_3207-0586?ssrc=&backlabel=Return&pId=16399319 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Neesam A-Z 2019" >{{cite book |last1=Neesam |first1=Malcolm |title=A-Z of Harrogate |date=2019 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |location=UK |isbn=9781445696577 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f1e-DwAAQBAJ |chapter=Ellis, Richard |access-date=21 March 2023 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405023733/https://books.google.com/books?id=f1e-DwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Bernard Walter Evans]] (1843–1922), [[Landscape painting|landscape painter]] and [[Watercolor painting|watercolourist]]. Harrogate resident 1890s to 1911.<ref name="Matthews biography of Evans" >{{cite web |last1=Matthews |first1=Anne |title=Bolton Abbey from the Soay by Bernard Walter Evans |url=https://www.lythamstannesartcollection.org/bolton-abbey-from-the-soay-by-bernard-walter-evans.html |website=lythamstannesartcollection.org |publisher=Lytham St Annes Art Collection |access-date=2 December 2021 |archive-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202191511/https://www.lythamstannesartcollection.org/bolton-abbey-from-the-soay-by-bernard-walter-evans.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="British Museum information" >{{cite web |title=Bernard Walter Evans, biography |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG26643 |website=britishmuseum.org |publisher=British Museum |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201175841/https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG26643 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[John Farrah]] (1849–1907) grocer, confectioner, biologist, born in Harrogate.
*[[Gerald Finzi]] (1901–1956), composer<ref>{{cite ODNB|first=Diana|last=McVeagh|title=Finzi, Gerald Raphael|id=33136}}</ref>
*[[Courtenay Foote]] (1879–1925), silent-film actor<ref>{{cite web |title=Courtenay Foote |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f155835 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821123910/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f155835 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 August 2023 |website=bfi.org.uk |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>
*[[Samson Fox]] (1838–1903), engineer, industrialist, and philanthropist<ref>{{cite ODNB|first=W.&nbsp;B.|last=Owen|title=Fox, Samson|id=33235}}</ref>
*[[Luke Garbutt]] (born 1993), footballer for [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], attended Harrogate Grammar School.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wobschall |first1=Leon |title=Harrogate's Luke Garbutt is tipped to impress by John Stones at Euro finals |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/harrogates-luke-garbutt-tipped-impress-john-stones-euro-finals-1818269 |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=The Yorkshire Post |date=26 June 2015 |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926125137/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/harrogates-luke-garbutt-tipped-impress-john-stones-euro-finals-1818269 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Thom Sonny Green]] (born 1985), drummer for indie rock band [[Alt-J]].
*[[H. L. A. Hart]] (1907–1992), legal philosopher<ref>Mullender, Richard: [http://webjcli.ncl.ac.uk/2007/issue5/mullender5.html "Nicola Lacey, ''A Life of H.L.A. Hart: the Nightmare and the Noble Dream'' – H.L.A. Hart in Anglo-American Context"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512091633/http://webjcli.ncl.ac.uk/2007/issue5/mullender5.html |date=12 May 2013 }}, ''Web Journal of Current Legal Issues'' (review 2007). Oxford University Press, (2004). {{ISBN|978-0-19-920277-5}}</ref>
*[[Thomas Holroyd]] (1821–1904), portrait and landscape painter, co-owner of photographic studio T & J. Holroyd.
*[[Charles Hull (VC)|Charles Hull]] (1890–1953), soldier who received the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogatepeopleandplaces.info/ww1/soldiers/h/hull-charles.htm|title=Corporal Charles Hull|work=Harrogate People and Places|access-date=10 June 2013|archive-date=13 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313025903/http://www.harrogatepeopleandplaces.info/ww1/soldiers/h/hull-charles.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Garry Jennings]], musician born in Harrogate.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chalmers |first1=Graham |title=Harrogate 'black metal band' sign to record label! |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/harrogate-black-metal-band-sign-to-record-label-1-8127540 |access-date=22 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722130101/https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/harrogate-black-metal-band-sign-to-record-label-1-8127540 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Mik Kaminski]] (born 1951), violinist and band member of [[ELO]] and [[Violinski]]<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/elo-elo-elo-violinist-mik-5002713|title = ELO, ELO, ELO! Violinist Mik Kaminski back in Huddersfield for third gig|date = 18 March 2010|accessdate = 16 March 2023|archive-date = 16 March 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230316181535/https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/elo-elo-elo-violinist-mik-5002713|url-status = live}}</ref> 
*[[Jack Laugher]] (born 1995), Olympic diver.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Westcott |first1=Matt |title=Commonwealth Games: 'I was on fire' – Laugher claims second diving gold |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/16155176.harrogates-jack-laugher-claims-second-diving-gold/ |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=The Northern Echo |date=12 April 2018 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821123910/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/16155176.harrogates-jack-laugher-claims-second-diving-gold/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Christina Le Moignan]] (born 1942), minister and academic, who served as President of the [[Methodism|British Methodist Conference]]
*[[Peter McCormick]] (born 1952), solicitor, Chairman of the Premier League, Vice Chairman of [[The Football Association]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Riach |first1=James |title=Richard Scudamore arbitrator Peter McCormick 'is shooting buddy' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/20/richard-scudamore-peter-mccormick-premier-league-luis-suarez-patrice-evra |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=20 May 2014 |archive-date=4 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204031213/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/20/richard-scudamore-peter-mccormick-premier-league-luis-suarez-patrice-evra |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Fridel Meyer]] (1904–1982), Long-distance [[kayak]]er and businesswoman. German-born; later a Harrogate resident.<ref name="Neesam A-Z 2019" />
*[[Sarah Moore (racing driver)|Sarah Moore]] (born 1993), a racing driver who competes in the [[2021 W Series|W Series]]
*[[David Nobbs]] (1935–2015) author and screenwriter, creator of [[The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin|Reginald Perrin]]<ref>{{cite ODNB|first=Jeff|last=Evans|title=Nobbs, David Gordon|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-111854}}</ref>
*[[Andy O'Brien (footballer)|Andy O'Brien]] (born 1979), footballer for the Vancouver Whitecaps.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leeds United's O'Brien to get boot |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/lufc/9375211.leeds-uniteds-andy-obrien-to-get-boot/ |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=York Press |date=21 November 2011 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821123910/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/lufc/9375211.leeds-uniteds-andy-obrien-to-get-boot/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Jack Ogden (jewellery historian)|Jack Ogden]], jewellery historian, grew up in Harrogate.
*[[Gord Pettinger]] (born 11 November 1911 in Harrogate, England – d. 12 April 1986) was a British professional ice hockey centre<ref>{{cite news |title=UK stars on ice |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWGLNB&t=&sort=YMD_date%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=%22Gord%20Pettinger%20harrogate%22&docref=news/11BF3A84C35CE6A0 |access-date=22 February 2021 |work=infoweb.newsbank.com |date=28 September 2007 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418144326/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DAWGLNB%26t%3D%26sort%3DYMD_date%253AD%26fld-base-0%3Dalltext%26maxresults%3D20%26val-base-0%3D%2522Gord%2520Pettinger%2520harrogate%2522%26docref%3Dnews/11BF3A84C35CE6A0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[William Pope (priest)|William Pope]] (1825–1905), clergyman and follower of the [[Oxford Movement]], who seceded from [[Anglicanism]] to the [[Catholic Church]] and became rector of [[St Robert's Church, Harrogate]].<ref name="W & A Observer 10 November 1905" >{{cite news |title=Death of Canon Pope, at Harrogate. Well-known disciple of Newman passes away. His connections with Ilkley and Harrogate |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001823/19051110/170/0008 |access-date=23 July 2024 |work=Wharfedale & Airedale Observer |agency=|via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |date=10 November 1905 |page=8 cols 4–6}}</ref>
*[[Richard Ridgeway]] (1848–1924), [[Victoria Cross]] recipient, lived his later life and died in Harrogate{{sfn|RVC|1981|p=222}}
*[[Ilona Rodgers]] (born 1942), actress
*[[Kathleen Rutherford]]  (1896–1975). Physician, philanthropist, humanitarian aid worker, peace campaigner.<ref name="SI biography" >{{cite web |title=Dr Kathleen Eleanor Hyde Rutherford MBE, MB, ChB, (1896-1975) |url=https://sigbi.org/soroptimistcentenary2021/files/114.-Dr-Kathleen-Eleanor-Hyde-Rutherford-MBE-MB-ChB-1896-1975-.pdf |website=sigbi.org |publisher=Soroptimist International |access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref>
*[[Arnold Shaw (cricketer)|Arnold Shaw]] (1896–1972), British Army officer and cricketer
*[[David Simpson (mayor)|David Simpson]] (1860–1931), former freeman and four times mayor of Harrogate, and contractor who built the Grand Hotel in the town.<ref name="YP and LI 16 January 1931" >{{cite news |title=Obituary. Four times mayor of Harrogate. Ald. David Simpson |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19310116/190/0004 |access-date=22 December 2022 |work=Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer |agency=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |date=16 January 1931 |page=4 col.1 }}</ref><ref name="Neesam Wells & Swells 2022" >{{cite book |last1=Neesam |first1=Malcolm G. |title=Wells & Swells, the golden age of Harrogate Spa, 1842-1923 |date=2022 |publisher=Carnegie Publishing |location=Lancaster, England |isbn=9781859362389 |edition=1}}</ref>{{rp|519–520}}
*[[John Smith (banker)|John Smith]] (1797–1866), philanthropist, partner in Beckett's Bank, and founder of the Harrogate mansion "Belvedere", where he lived in retirement.<ref name="Neesam Wells & Swells 2022" />{{rp|134–135}}<ref>{{NHLE|num=1149399 |desc=Harrogate School of Art, Victoria Avenue|accessdate=30 December 2022}}</ref>
*[[Hugo Speer]] (born 1968), actor<ref>{{cite news |title=Hugo Speer narrates Prokofiev's Peter And The Wolf, Harrogate Royal Hall, June 22 |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/music/10495386.hugo-speer-narrates-prokofievs-peter-and-the-wolf-harrogate-royal-hall-june-22/ |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=York Press |date=19 June 2013 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821123910/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/music/10495386.hugo-speer-narrates-prokofievs-peter-and-the-wolf-harrogate-royal-hall-june-22/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Harold Styan]]  [[Order of the British Empire|O.B.E.]] (1895–1982), gymnast, sports teacher and youth worker.<ref name="Harrogate Herald 1 December 1915" >{{cite news |title=To our boys on service |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0001608/19151201/088/0004?browse=true |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=Harrogate Herald |agency=|via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |date=1 December 1915 |page=4 col.3}} [https://www.harrogatepeopleandplaces.info/ww1/soldiers/s/styan-harold.htm The article is reproduced here]</ref>
*[[Jonathan Tattersall]] (born 1994), cricketer<ref name="BBCS">{{cite news |title=Yorkshire squad |agency=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/20739901 |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-date=12 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412024507/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/20739901 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Laura Veale]] (1867–1963), first qualified female doctor practising in Harrogate and the North Riding of Yorkshire.<ref name="Neesam 2022" >{{cite book |last1=Neesam |first1=Malcolm |title=Wells and Swells: The Golden Age of Harrogate Spa, 1842–1923 |date=2022 |publisher=Carnegie Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1859362389}}</ref>
*[[William John Seward Webber]] (1842–1919), sculptor
*[[Mark Wharton]], musician born in Harrogate<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chalmers |first1=Graham |title=Metal legend was Harrogate's 'class clown' |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/whats-on/metal-legend-was-harrogate-s-class-clown-1-8900772 |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724123616/https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/whats-on/metal-legend-was-harrogate-s-class-clown-1-8900772 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=McIver |first1=Joel |title=Extreme Metal II |year=2000 |publisher=Omnibus |isbn=9780711980402 |url=https://archive.org/details/extrememetal00mciv |url-access=registration}}</ref>
*[[Shirley Wray]], neuro-ophthalmologist and Professor at Harvard Medical School
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[Listed buildings in Harrogate]]
* [[Association of Harrogate Apprentices]]
* [[Churches in Harrogate]]
*[[Harrogate power station]]
* [[Harrogate (Stonefall) Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery]]
* [[Harrogate District Hospital]]
* [[List of public art in Harrogate]]
* [[List of spa towns in the United Kingdom]]
* [[The Harrogate International Youth Festival]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
*{{cite book |title=The Register of the Victoria Cross|date=1981 |publisher=This England Books |location=Cheltenham |isbn=0906324033|ref={{harvid|RVC|1981}} }}
*{{cite report|title=Harrogate Conservation Area Character Appraisal|url=https://www.harrogate.gov.uk/downloads/file/862/conservation-area-harrogate-part-1|date=December 2010|website=harrogate.gov.uk|format=PDF|publisher=Harrogate Borough Council|location=Harrogate|access-date=19 February 2021|ref={{harvid|HCACA|2010}} }}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.harrogate.gov.uk Harrogate Borough Council]

{{North Yorkshire}}
{{Portal bar|Yorkshire|England|United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Harrogate| ]]
[[Category:Towns in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Spa towns in England]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Borough of Harrogate]]