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Enjoy Open Spaces around Harrogate
Centuries of history and human activity have left Harrogate and the surrounding district with some truly captivating outdoor spaces for you to explore this autumn and winter.
Whether it is for fresh air, getting some exercise or just the chance to stretch the legs - you can find some new and inspiring surroundings with us. Our outdoor attractions also provide the confidence of visiting an open space where social distancing is easily and reliably achieved so you can enjoy your day with freinds and family.
Form open-air points of interest, to reservoirs that brim with wildlife, historic houses and ruins you can explore and discover with friends and family this winter. Many of these open air spaces are dog friendly and a great place for children to run around and burn off energy.
Do not let lockdown keep you down, get some fresh air and enjoy the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, discover new and fascinating points of interest around the Harrogate district.
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Number of items: 20
Brimham Rocks
Type
Natural Feature
Pateley Bridge
The Wonder of Nidderdale
Brimham Rocks is an amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations, sculpted over centuries by ice, wind and rain. It makes a great day out for families, climbers, walkers and those wanting to enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh air and magnificent views.…
Ripon Walled Garden
Type
Open Spaces
Once part of the Bishop’s Palace, Ripon Walled Garden is now part of the Ripon Community Link Charity. This wonderful, peaceful site was once a working kitchen garden and has been used and developed by the Charity since 1995 working with adults and young people with learning disabilities.
The…
Ripon City Wetlands Nature Reserve
Type
Open Spaces
Ripon
The Ripon City Wetlands, just south of Ripon is a ‘must visit’ site for nature lovers and those seeking a quiet respite from day-to-day worries. The Ripon City Wetlands reserve has given an abundance of new life to the site of a disused quarry on the outskirts of the city. Since its creation, the…
Aldborough Roman Settlement
Type
Historic Site
Boroughbridge
For an interesting day out visit Aldborough Roman town, among the northern most urban centres in the Roman Empire.
Aldborough was the ‘capital’ of the Romanised Brigantes, the largest tribe in Britain.
One corner of these Yorkshire defences is laid out amid a Victorian arboretum, and two…
Beningbrough Hall, Gallery & Gardens
Type
Historic House / Palace
Boroughbridge
Beningbrough, on the outskirts of Harrogate, with its eight acres of gardens and art gallery in the hall, is a real treat to enjoy all year round.
Coronavirus update: the gardens, restaurant for takeaway drinks, play area, parkland and toilets are open for the local community to exercise in.…
Yorke's Folly (Two Stoops) & Crocodile Rock
Type
Open Spaces
Pateley Bridge
Yorke's Folly & Crocodile Rock are a popular pair of landmarks for short walks on the hill above Bewerley nr. Pateley Bridge.
Yorke's Folly, now known locally as 'Two Stoops' is a pair of stone pillars styled to appear as if part of a ruined arch, though in truth they remain almost fully intact…
The Stray, Harrogate
Type
Open Spaces
Harrogate
One of Harrogate’s best known landmarks, the Stray, is 200 acres of grass parkland that encompasses the town centre on the southern half, as well and giving the town a uniquely green and spacious feel, it provides a public space for games, walks and relaxation.
With so many great food and…
Colsterdale Towers
Type
Tower
Masham
The Colsterdale Towers are a set of three sighting towers in Colsterdale, at the North of the NIdderdale AONB. They were constructued to help engineers cunduct surveys during the construction of the Leighton and Roundhill Reservoirs around the turn of the Century by the Harrogate Water Corporation…
Spofforth Castle
Type
Castle / Fort
Harrogate
Spofforth Castle was once a grand and important house, scene of lavish banquets and powerful seat of power over of the surrounding feudal lands, and has stood in some form since at least the time of the Norman Conquest.
Still recognisable for what it was the castle and surrounding park are…
Scar House Reservoir
Type
Open Spaces
Pateley Bridge
This stunning reservoir built in the 1930 from over 1 million tons of masonry stands 55 metres tall above the River Nidd and is a popular spot for walkers, cyclists and sightseers.
Building the reservoir in such a remote spot necessitated not only the building a railway up the valley, but also…
Nidd Gorge
Type
Natural Feature
Knaresborough
Nestling between Harrogate and Knaresborough, the woodland, which dates back to at least 1600, is actually made up of five woods, Coalpits Wood, Bilton Banks, Spring Wood, Scotton Banks and Gates Wood.
A local conservation site, the valley woodlands and the surrounding agricultural land are a…
Ripon Spa Gardens
Type
Open Spaces
Ripon
This beautiful floral park in the heart of Ripon offers space for walking, play and taking a few minutes to enjoy the day. As well as floral beds and borders, the park provides a habitat for a variety of birds and wildlife, pieces of woodcarving commemorating the part Ripon played in Lewis…
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Type
Garden
Harrogate
One of Yorkshire’s most relaxing and innovative gardens at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, RHS Harlow Carr is a showcase of horticultural excellence all year round!
Wonder through the tranquil surroundings of this stunning 58 acre garden and gain ideas for your own borders, or simply relax…
The Druid's Temple
Type
Historic Site
Masham
The Druid’s Temple in Ripon is in fact not a real temple, but a nineteenth century folly.
Styled after stone circles and well known prehistoric monuments such as Stonehenge.
The Druids Temple was built to alleviate local unemployment, allowing William Danby, a wealthy landowner of the…
Almscliffe Crag
Type
Natural Feature
Harrogate
Almscliffe Crag is a large outcrop of Millstone Grit which stands above the Lower Wharfe Valley to the south of Harrogate.
Created by the erosion of softer surrounding stone the distinctive shape of Almscliffe Crag with a large groove running through the middle can be seen for miles around,…
Hackfall Woods
Type
Forest
Masham
Hackfall is a stunning woodland site near Masham, with lakes, waterfalls, follies and an intricate network of paths to explore stretching along the banks of the River Ure.
There is something about the wild splendour of Hackfall Woods that simply inspires creativity.
Nineteenth century writers…
The Coldstones Cut
Type
Viewpoint
Pateley Bridge
The sculpture functions as an array of platforms from which visitors can view both the spectacular quarry hole and limestone quarrying operation, and the landscape of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty and beyond.
The sculpture also functions as an interpretive medium for the…
Fewston Reservoir
Type
Open Spaces
Pateley Bridge
Fewston Reservoir lies in the Washburn Valley, and offer a choice of walks and nature watching for visitors. Easily accessible from the A59 Fewston Reservoir sits directly above Swinsty Reservoir, and at the lower end the two share a car park.
Fewston supplies water to Leeds, and the remains…
How Stean Gorge
Type
Natural Feature
Pateley Bridge
A Natural Wonder. Carved out over thousands of years by waterflow, the Gorge is a spectacular limestone ravine in the Yorkshire Dales. Now with a stunning new glass floored building that hangs out over the gorge. Experience the hieght, and the beauty of this place as has never been possible…
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal water garden
Type
Abbey / Priory
Ripon
Surrounded by beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, this World Heritage Site has a lot to offer for a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
The magnificent ruins of the once prosperous Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruins in the country, sit alongside a Georgian water garden that is sure to…
