What To Do: When In Harrogate

I put on my blog that I am from Leeds, though this is not true, I live very close to Leeds, and it is the closest place to me that people seem to recognise. I am infact from Harrogate, a town thirteen miles from Leeds and twenty two miles from York. If you have heard of Harrogate, I expect you will have heard of it because of the all important, famous, Betty's. If you are visiting Harrogate any time soon, or have relatives here, I suggest you purchase something from Betty's. Honestly I cannot recommend it enough, from the delicious fat rascals to the sweet chocolate mice, there truly is something for everyone!

Another reason you may have heard of Harrogate, is because it is a spa town, and towns and cities all over Great Britain, and the world drink our water. It is always a strange occurance when you are on holiday at an all-inclusive hotel in Turkey, and you are provided with a free bottle of water from your hometown!  You may recognise the bottle..

Things you can't come to Harrogate and not do:

• Go to Betty's, honestly you won't regret it! I'm craving a fat rascal bun as we speak.
• Go to the Turkish Baths and Health Spa, whether it be for a facial, a manicure, a pedicure or a massage, this is the place to relax in Harrogate.
• Go to the Royal Baths Chinese, located just across from the Turkish Baths, this restaurant does a lovely £10 lunch deal, and some delicious typical chinese dishes. This restaurant is great for private parties as they provide you and the rest of your party with a separate dining area so you can dine in style!
• Visit the stunning Valley Gardens, filled with beautiful flowers, luscious green grass and the perfect icecream for those hot summers days, and yummy hot chocolates for the cold winter evenings, the Valley Gardens is not something to be missed.
• Hoopers the wonderful department store, that sells everything from Benefit make-up and Mulberry bags to Christmas cards and Christmas Reefs.

Restaurants I'd recommend

• For an Indian, Cardomom Black - definitely in my top 5 favourite restaurants. You are greeted by traditional Indian lounge chairs, sparkly black walls and golden chandelliers on entry, not to mention the food is to die for. Jinnah is the place to go for a relaxed curry with the family, traditional cooked meals and not to expensive.
• For a Chinese meal I'd recommend Imperial, though it doesn't look all that impressive from the outside with its nightclub surroundings, on entry this restaurant transforms into a little Chinese cafe, truly the best Chinese food I have tasted, and not to mention all you can eat, cooked to order! As previously mentioned, the Royal Baths Chinese, exquisite food with a twist of Chinese tradition.
  
• My favourite Thai restaurants are without doubt, The Orchid, my parents went there on Saturday evening to celebrate their thirteen year anniversary! And I celebrate nearly every birthday there, truly an incredible place to dine. Sukothai is another popular restaurant in Harrogate, the interior is classic and they have decked the room out with golden gongs, which I hear they use entertainingly anytime somebody has a birthday.

Nightclubs and Bars I'd recommend in Harrogate:

• Depending on what type of night your after, and with what crowd, I'd recommend the lovely Banyan bar, from crazy yet tasty and classy cocktails, to intelligently styled chips that arrive in a mini silver bucket, Banyan is a lovely place to dine and go for cocktails. My personal favourite is the Raspberry Collins, mmm!
• Another brilliant bar with a slightly different, more rock'n'rolly feel, Monteys rock cafe. The best cocktail I have ever consumed came from this bar and I must say I'll never forget it. A delightful 'Granny Smith', a mostly appley cocktail, topped off with a complimentary gummy worm. Cocktails and sweets, now that is what I'm talking about.
• After you've hit Banyan and Monteys, and had your dose of class and rock'n'roll, it may be time to head to Lure Bar for some of the new, modern hits and classics, this club has a lovely decor but is only petite.
• If you are craving loud music and a more, clubby, teenager feeling nightlife, head to Moko to party with all the local students and see the sun come up as you wait for your taxi with your cheesy chips, such class. ;)
• My personal favourite club in Harrogate, is Revolution. With one vodka bar, and another cocktail bar located in the back next to the dancefloor and booths. This club mixes class and clubbing perfectly, and I never fail to enjoy myself here.

Hotels to stay in during your visit:

• Travelodge located directly above the aforementioned Lure Bar, very affordable and right in the centre of town. Perfect for those girly weekend breaks or even a classic hen night.
• The Crown Hotel, opposite my personal favourite cupcake shop, Charlie's cupcakes and a two minute walk from the town centre.
• If you have a little bit of a higher price range and/or are treating yourself and a select others to a relaxing spa weekend, I'd recommend the St George Hotel and Spa, my personal favourite for a go to facial.

I'm currently in Bath, so I'll be sure to do a post on everywhere I go/everything I do, as i'll be spending a total of 15 days here, plenty of time to get everything done. I hear Bath is like a bigger Harrogate.

Have you been to Harrogate before? Do you live in Bath or have visited and have any recommendations for me, as of where to go, eat, see, sleep etc? Let me know! 

xx