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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HHarrogate.co.uk
Restaurants
William & Victoria
Below-street-level bistro on Cold Bath Road, quietly running for years on classic cooking and a serious wine list.
HHarrogate.co.uk
Restaurants
Three's A Crowd
Neighbourhood restaurant and bar with a menu built around sharing and a loyal local following.
Spa Hotels
Rudding Park
Country house hotel, spa and golf in 300 acres of parkland on the southern edge of Harrogate.