I assume the underlined words were links on the original – make them links this
time?
Yes if you can find relevant info to link to.
Words in italics were not in the original - updating? Yes
Harrogate is centrally located in the UK halfway between London and Edinburgh with
good transport connections. Leeds Bradford and Manchester international airports
are within driving distance, there are excellent motorway links from around the UK
and good train connections to Harrogate from Leeds or York.
As a European spa town, Harrogate combines glamorous heritage with fabulous
shopping, bustling café culture, beautiful gardens and amazing architecture. As a
major conference destination, Harrogate reflects the needs of the modern business
world, whilst boasting beautiful open spaces and interesting attractions.
The Montpellier Quarter situated in the heart of Harrogate is home to an array of
exclusive shops, pavement cafes, bars and award-winning restaurants, and is home
to the world famous Betty’s Café Tea Rooms. The whole of Harrogate is
encapsulated within the Montpellier Quarter, making it the ideal day out. The breathtaking surroundings, gardens, charming lamp posts, floral hanging baskets and
cobbled streets all add to the traditional atmosphere of the area. The Montpellier
Quarter is also home to the ‘Antiques and Art Centre of the North’, with many quality
antique shops and art galleries to be found in the Quarter, accompanied by new,
modern and contemporary retailers.
For a chance to savour the great outdoors, visit ‘The Stray’, 200 acres of green
lawns which surround the town, or stroll through the attractively landscaped Valley
Gardens and up through the lush, green pine woods to the Royal Horticultural
Society Garden at Harlow Carr. Harrogate and surrounding areas have won Gold
and Silver “in Bloom” awards at National and Yorkshire in Bloom awards.
There is also the Mercer Gallery, which is home to a fine art collection. There are
also a number of museums within Harrogate and the district, one of which is the
Royal Pump Room Museum, the site of Europe’s strongest Sulphur Well. The
museum tells the intriguing story of how Harrogate became a spa town. Harrogate
has also the UK’s finest Turkish Baths, where visitors can relax in the Victorian
steam room, hot rooms and plunge pool or treat themselves to beauty treatments,
and winner of the Best UK Turkish Baths at the Spa Traveller Awards.
For events and conferences there is the prestigious Harrogate International Centre
(HIC) which is situated in the heart of Harrogate and features a renowned 2,009 seat
auditorium interlinked with exhibition halls and the delightful 864 seat Royal Hall.
The centre has recently undergone redevelopment and a new exhibition hall has
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been built, making HIC one of the most impressively integrated and sophisticated
conference, exhibition and events destinations in Europe.
Harrogate District is one of the largest districts in both size (505 square miles) and
population (158,800). Besides Harrogate itself, the district contains a number of
towns and villages of particular note. To the North is the City of Ripon with its
stunning Cathedral and a number of Georgian and Medieval buildings including the
Town Hall and the half-timbered Wakeman’s House. It has the Yorkshire Garden
Racecourse, lots of history and some curious customs.
Overlooking the River Nidd, viaduct and surrounding countryside is Knaresborough’s
medieval castle. Enjoy riverside walks and boating on the river in this charming
market town. Visit the 14th century castle complete with dungeon and sallyport. The
Courthouse Museum in the castle grounds houses a civil war exhibition and exhibits
revealing Knaresborough through the areas. Old Mother Shipton’s Cave and
Petrifying Well is reputed to be one of England’s oldest attractions. Make a wish in
the wishing well and see the famous petrifying well where objects have been turned
to stone over time.
Pateley Bridge is set in the heart of Nidderdale, an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. The town prides itself on its craft centres, charming pubs and country tearooms and the friendliness of the local people. At the head of Nidderdale is
Gouthwaite reservoir, a bird sanctuary and the reservoirs of Scar and Angram. This
area forms some of the most spectacular landscapes in the area of Nidderdale.
In between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge lies Brimham Rocks, this is a fascinating
spectacle of natural rock formations in weird and wonderful shapes surrounded by
breath taking views across the Yorkshire Dales. The district is also home to
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, a world heritage site, and one of the most
restful and peaceful settings.
In coaching times Boroughbridge was an important posting point on the Great North
Road halfway between London and Edinburgh. An intriguing mixture of Regency,
Georgian and Victorian architecture, with an elaborate fountain dominating St James
Square. Nearby are the legendary Devil’s Arrows, 3 massive stone monoliths dating
from 2000-1500 BC. The largest is 30 ft high.
The district is on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales which has some of the finest
scenery in the world. The area covers approximately 1,600 square miles and
includes the Yorkshire Dales National Park, part of the Forest of Bowland AONB
(Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the Nidderdale AONB, which were set up
in recognition of each area’s unique natural heritage and to help conserve it for
future generations.
Each year the Dales welcomes over nine million visitors, drawn to the seemingly
changeless natural beauty and cultural heritage, the tranquillity and the variety of
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outdoor activities that the Dales has to offer. The landscape is still sensitive, and
requires constant conservation work to protect and enhance its natural beauty,
wildlife and cultural heritage.
On 5 and 6 July 2014 Yorkshire will host the Tour de France Grand Depart. The
race will end in a sprint finish in Harrogate on Day 1 and will again pass through the
District and Harrogate town on Day 2. This is a massive opportunity for the District
and plans are well underway for us to play our part in hosting the Tour de France,
the biggest thing to happen in the District for a long time.
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