Escape the city this weekend to a gorgeous British spa town drenched in history.
Harrogate is your classic British spa town, with quaint cobbled streets, victorian buildings, lovely landscaped gardens and lots of great things to see and do.
Just 40 minutes from Leeds, it is the perfect place to relax in the great outdoors and revel in the beauty of the Yorkshire countryside. There is also a lively food and drink scene where you can get everything from fresh seafood platters to indulgent fondant fancies from the famous Betty's Tea Rooms.
With so much to see and do, here are our top picks to ensure you enjoy the best of what Harrogate has to offer.
Betty's Tea Rooms
Image: Betty's
After celebrating their 100 year anniversary, the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms are a Yorkshire institution and well worth a visit when in Harrogate. There are two locations to choose from, one in the centre on Parliament Street and the other nestled in the gorgeous Harlow Carr gardens.
Expect impeccable service, carefully curated seasonal menus and cakes that look just too good to eat. Their offerings celebrate their Yorkshire roots whilst paying homage to their Swiss heritage, a winning combination if you ask me. Grab a table by the window and treat yourself to the traditional afternoon tea whilst watching the world go by. Or order my favourite, a fat rascal scone lathered in warm butter served alongside a piping hot cup of Yorkshire tea, yum!
RHS Gardens Harlow Carr
Image: RHS
These beautiful gardens are filled with horticultural inspiration and are a must see when in Harrogate. Take a long, leisurely stroll around the gardens and basque in the incredible views. There are numerous different displays showcasing flowers from around the world including a light show at Christmas time.
There's also a Betty's Tea Room located inside the gardens for you to stop by. Enjoy an afternoon tea overlooking the garden or grab a takeaway hot chocolate to fuel your stroll around. Make sure to bring your camera as there are some stellar photo opportunities which you don't want to miss.
Turkish Baths
Image: Turkish Baths
After some much needed relaxation? Take the plunge at Harrogate's Turkish Baths followed by a steam and massage in one of Europe's leading spas. Relax to the max in gorgeously designed rooms lined with intricate mosaics and terrazzo flooring.
Book a group session which is the most cost efficient way to enjoy the baths, or treat yourself to a luxe facial and manicure, because we all deserve a bit of 'me' time. Having opened in the 1800s, these are now Britain's most fully restored, victorian Turkish baths and are not to be missed.
This Scandinavian inspired cafe is the place to go for fantastic service, a relaxed atmosphere and delicious food made with the best quality ingredients. Their breakfast menu consists of Scandinavian classics such as Pyttipane, a potato hash with onions, garlic and beetroot topped off with a crispy fried egg. If you fancy something sweet you can opt for the traditional Scandinavian waffles with Nutella and candied pecans.
The cafe is always buzzing with a friendly and warm atmosphere. If you're still after some more Baltzersens goodness after your visit, stop by the bakery and take home some croissants and cakes. You certainly won't be disappointed.
Built two hundred years ago as the Promenade Rooms, this lovely historical building was once a place for spa visitors to come and socialise. Later it became a theatre, then a town hall and was recently renewed into the marvellous Mercer Art Gallery in 1991.
Here you will find a range of ever-changing exhibitions including sculptures, photography, paintings and a mix of fine art as well as contemporary pieces from regional artists. There really is something for everyone to enjoy. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, from 10-4pm and entry is free.
This pub has it all. Whether you're after a cosy nook to nestle into for a cracking Sunday roast or a table in the sunshine for a beer on a summer's day. Located smack bang in the centre of Harrogate, it couldn't be a more perfect pit stop to your busy day exploring the town.
Local cask ales, fantastic cocktails, fine wines and award winning, modern British food. What more could you want? The outdoor beer garden especially comes alive when the sun comes out, so I would recommend booking your trip to Harrogate when we enter into the summer months.
Feel like royalty and spend a night at this gorgeous, luxury hotel set over 300 acres of landscaped garden and woodland. If you can't stay over then you can book a spa day and enjoy the rooftop pool alongside a range of thermal and hydrotherapy treatments.
After you have been pampered, visit one of their numerous restaurants for a top class meal with expert service. I would recommend their famous, champagne afternoon tea which is served in their light and airy conservatory next to a 400 year old olive tree. You can even book a private cinema where you'll be escorted to after your dinner to watch a film of your choice.
The Drum and Monkey
Image: The Drum and Monkey
Located in the heart of the boutique Montpelier quarter, this independent, critically acclaimed restaurant have been serving fresh, seasonal and locally sourced seafood for over 50 years.
Share a cold seafood platter consisting of oysters, crab claws, langoustines, mussels and more alongside a crisps glass of white wine. Fancy something hot? Opt for their grilled dover sole with herb butter or their legendary Drum fish pie. One things for certain, you can expect impeccable service in a beautifully classic atmosphere.
Feature image: The Fat Badger
News
Grade-II listed city centre bar to open East Asian-inspired street food kitchen
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon 2026 guide – everything you need to know
Clementine Hall
The 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (RBLM) is nearly upon us.
And with thousands set to flood the region, we thought we'd round up all the important information you need to know, from waves and start times to the route and more.
Getting underway this weekend, this year marks just the third-ever edition of the modern Leeds Marathon, which was set up in honour of Rhinos legend and MND champion Rob Burrow in 2023.
In addition to over 12,000 locals, marathon enthusiasts, fantastic fundraisers and casual runners alike taking part in the 2025 RBLM , there are set to be even more spectators expected to line the streets, so it's best you're all kept in the loop.
So, without further ado, here's our comprehensive guide for the 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
Hosted by Run For All yet again, this year's Leeds Marathon is set to be just as special.
What is the route?
Where else to start other than, well, with where the run will be starting?
Getting underway once again from the Headingley Stadium, the 26.2-mile slog will see Yorkshire's finest pass through the busy student district, as well as around Golden Acre Park, towards Bramhope, around Otley, into the city centre and back.
You can see the full route map down below.
Leeds Marathon Map 2026
If you're running it, you'll also be glad to see that there are a total of eight different toilet stops and water stations, meaning you'll have the opportunity to take any necessary breaks every few miles.
How to get there?
For those travelling to the start/finish line (yes, it finishes back at the iconic cricket ground too), it is advised that people avoid driving and use public transport where possible to avoid further congestion.
Upon arriving, the only way to access the start line on race day is via Gate G behind the western terrace of the cricket stadium off Kirkstall Road.
Spectator shuttles will also be running between Queenswood Drive and the two main spectator hubs: Adel and Otley. You can find out more details on where to watch HERE.
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon waves and start times
Now, as for start times, participants will be set off in waves depending on their estimated finish time, which corresponds to the colour of their bib.Wave start times
Blue – 09:00
Red – 09:04
Green & Yellow – 09:10
MND Wave – 09:19
Purple - 09:21
Meanwhile, those doing the half-marathon distance and fun runners will be starting at 10am.
Leeds Marathon road closures and travel advice
Now, it goes without saying that setting up a major marathon that spans all the way from Headingley to Leeds, passing through some of the busiest parts of West Yorkshire, involves quite a lot of logistical planning.
Luckily, Leeds City Council have worked closely with the event team to make the marathon route run as smoothly as possible whilst also trying to minimise the impact on traffic and general travel.
You can find a full breakdown of all the road closures for this year's Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon here.
So, for everyone taking on the Leeds Marathon to honour not just Rob Burrow but whoever they might be running it for, we wish you the best of luck and just know that you've already done him, us, yourselves and everyone else SO very proud.
Clementine Hall -
25th March 2022 
