Guide
Things to Do in Harrogate
From beautiful gardens and historic baths to independent streets, open spaces, countryside walks and some of Yorkshire's best days out, discover the best things to do in and around Harrogate.
Near Harrogate
Brimham Rocks
Gritstone rock formations on open moorland above Nidderdale, cared for by the National Trust.
Brimham Rocks is a scatter of weathered gritstone stacks across high moorland, shaped over millennia into balancing forms that look engineered rather than eroded.
It is one of the few genuinely unstructured places near Harrogate: paths run between the formations, children climb, and the views west across Nidderdale are worth the trip on their own.
The ground is uneven and exposed, so it repays proper footwear and a jacket even in summer. It is roughly a 25 minute drive from Harrogate, and busy on fine weekends — arrive early for parking.
Good for
Walking·Families·Photography·Moorland·Free to Roam
Last verified 11/09/2026. Something changed? Let us know
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Also worth knowing about
HHarrogate.co.uk
Restaurants
Three's A Crowd
Neighbourhood restaurant and bar with a menu built around sharing and a loyal local following.
Restaurants
The Ivy Harrogate
The Ivy's Harrogate dining room: all-day brasserie menu in a deliberately theatrical setting.
Hotels
The Yorkshire Hotel
Independent town centre hotel on Kings Road, a short walk from the Convention Centre.