We we’re all surprised to see that, according to Rightmove, Harrogate is no longer said to be the happiest place to live in Britain after occupying the top spot for the past three consecutive years. If you want the happiest place, apparently that place is Leigh-on-Sea!
Well we’re here to set the record straight! Quite simply we simply don’t believe Harrogate has faded over the past twelve months, in fact quite the opposite! Let’s look at the facts:-
1. Elegance
Our streets, boulevards and houses remain as just as elegant as ever as does our Theatre, the Royal Hall and vast array of stunning architecture. Our shops, restaurants, bars and cafes are not only just as good but there are now a great many more of them to include some of the biggest and best known national chains including, ASK, Byron Burgers, Carluccio’s, Cau, Côte Brasserie, Nando’s & Yo! Sushi.
Whilst chains popping up mean the town is thriving, the tell tale sign is the increase in indies, and we have a heap of those too, including the new bar and kitchen Walrus & Carpenter Hoxton North, who have just expanded and opened a second venue, La Feria who have moved into significantly bigger premises, on Cold Bath Road, Fisk which opened yesterday and the recently refurbished and renamed The Last Post (was the Slip Inn)
Let us not forget the newly opened cinema and food complex on Albert Street, the site of the old Beale’s department store. The new Everyman Cinema is a welcome addition to the towns already wide entertainment options ranging from concerts in the Valley Gardens, traveling fairs on the Stray, the Comedy Club & Harrogate International Festival who celebrated 50 years this year.
2. Safety & Lifestyle
Harrogate has one of the lowest crime rates in Britain. You will find more crime to talk about at the annual Theakston’s Crime Writing Festival in the Old Swan hotel than in the streets of our beautiful town.
When we talk about lifestyle in Harrogate we tend to talk about the museums, galleries, independent & chain shops along with second hand and antique centres. We don’t often need to remark litter in our streets, as it is scarce, and although a smattering of graffiti/fly posting it’s nothing in comparison to some of our neighboring towns & cities.
We also don’t often talk about us walking in the footsteps of Lord Byron, Charlie Chaplin or Agatha Christie, but it’s impossible for most of us to escape the sensation of history and tradition as we walk our streets as well as feel the energy and impulses of a busy modern metropolis.
Health and fitness facilities in Harrogate are first class and improving to include the well-established large Hydro complex the upgraded Nuffield Health Centre, and the new Pure Gym in Tower Street. Golfers are spoilt with a excellent courses at Starbeck, Oakdale, Knaresborough and Rudding Park.
3. Harrogate in Bloom
There’s a reason we’re known as the floral crown of Yorkshire. Harrogate is a regular winner of Britain in Bloom awards for its flowers, garlanded roundabouts and streets. The Stray with its 200 acres of open grassland and verges, wraps itself around the ‘old town’ of Harrogate and in spring has shimmering lakes of stunning crocuses. Harrogate is home to RHS Harlow Carr with Bettys Tea Room for added enjoyment.
4. Top Schools
We still have our excellent schools. In the state sector, St Aidan’s High School and Harrogate Grammar School are among the highest-performing secondary schools in North Yorkshire. Ashville College, is the leading independent school in Harrogate and Harrogate Ladies College is also a world famous girls’ school.
5. Beautiful homes
West Park, leading down from the Stray to the Royal Baths, has some lovely Georgian properties. Cold Bath Road is also very elegant. But, in truth, there are lots of lovely residential streets all over Harrogate, from Crescent Gardens, in the heart of town, to Royal Crescent, off the Leeds road. The Duchy with its large detached houses, is very special to the town has recently embraced a lovely in-character new homes development at Sussex Court.
6. Great shopping
The Montpellier Quarter still remains a little gem with lots of lovely cafes and shops – real jewels and is in addition to our landmark shops like Hooper’s boasts lots of great shops which aren’t household names – for example Lynx and Morgan Clare.
7. Bettys
Bettys Tea Rooms – just a scones throw away from the War Memorial – has to have a spot all of its own.
There is only one real Bettys in Britain, sure there are others dotted around Yorkshire, but none of them have the history and gravitas that Harrogate does. Opened as a craft bakery in the 1920s, Bettys wins endless awards for its tea rooms, its teas and cakes and its service. No visitor to Harrogate would dream of not visiting Bettys.
8. Countryside
Harrogate is surrounded by Nidderdale, an area of outstanding beauty, with the soft flowing River Nidd. In addition to Nidderdale itself our area of outstanding beauty includes upper Nidderdale, the Washburn Valley and part of lower Wensleydale, including Jervaulx Abbey and the side valleys west of the River Ure – and the best part – the countryside starts as soon as you leave the town of Harrogate itself.
9. Restaurants and cafes
We have already said that because Harrogate is a conference town, shopping town, destination shopping town and tourist attraction, it has scores of restaurants and cafes for every taste , but what has grown over the years is our café culture with plenty of places to sit and have coffees and catch up with friends. Yes we do have our very own Starbucks – but also some super independents like Marconi’s and also Weeton’s on West Park which a great favourite not only for al fresco coffees but local meat, fruits & vegetables.
10. Yorkshire Pride
Yorkshire people have extraordinary pride in our county, we and everyone else with any sense call it ‘God’s Own County’ for a reason!
The cosmopolitan feel of Harrogate is defined by our fashionable boutiques, arts and crafts shops and exclusive design houses, and famous high street names. Our town is the ‘antiques Centre of the North’, where a veritable treasure trove of antiques and curiosities await discovery.
But most of all Harrogate is defined by its residents – proud and caring Yorkshire folk, “salt of the earth”, working hard and enjoying life. Nothing has changed.
We all believe that Harrogate is still the happiest place to live in Britain.
What do you think?
