Discover Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK

Harrogate is a wonderful town in North Yorkshire, east of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It has a rich and rather unusual heritage; it was well renowned as a fashionable Spa Town - dating as far back as the 16th Century. In 1571, the Tweit Well Spring was found in High Harrogate and the water from it was found to be medicinal. Soon people from all over the country were flocking to Harrogate to drink - or bathe in - the mineral springwater and the Harrogate Spa era was born. Today there are over 100 springs known in and around Harrogate and the town is still a highly regarded place for spas and restorative treatments. The Royal Pump Room is a Grade II listed building, formerly a spa water pump house; it now houses the towns museum and there is plenty of information about the history of the spa. Today you can still enjoy the water at Harrogate's Turkish Baths - Britains most fully restored Victorian Turkish bath - an elaborate and vibrant building with painted ceilings, terrazzo floors and elegant features.