Just one whisper of the name, Harrogate, and you are instantly transported to the Northern Yorkshire Town famed for a Victorian heritage and spa scene that is surrounded by unbridled beauty and a wealth of countryside that keeps on calling you back from your very first visit.
Made up of four borough towns, Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Masham and Pateley Bridge, this part of North Yorkshire is something to be experienced and to also see without any question.
But what makes Harrogate so special? Here’s our guide to this beautiful area and some things to consider when it comes to booking your catering with the Yorkshire Catering Company.
Harrogate is located in Northern Yorkshire, approximately one hour from Leeds & Wakefield, and forty minutes west from York. Nestled comfortably a short drive from the Yorkshire Dales there is plenty to see and do in this Victorian town; whether it is mountain biking to rock climbing, Harrogate has you completely covered!
Known for the picturesque village that it is, Harrogate has so much to offer to North Yorkshire and beyond. With the Yorkshire Dales on the doorstep, it’s easy to see why this little town has become popular over the years for local and even international tourism.
The town really does capture the beauty of Yorkshire, one visit at a time. From your wedding ceremony to private function and event, we have catered across this beautiful area numerous times; matching the menu to your special day.
Spectacular gardens, elegant destinations and lunch at Betty’s tearoom are just a few things you may know about Harrogate, but there is more to this little corner of North Yorkshire. Turkish Baths mixed with chocolate box villages that make up the area mean that Harrogate is a destination for those looking to spend weekends away, short holidays or even to celebrate their wedding or special birthdays in a unique surrounding.
The district is a mixture of high fells, peaks and steep sided valleys shaped by millennia of slowly moving glaciers and rolling hills of luscious farm land. From floral displays to welcoming pubs, it’s hard to understand how Harrogate isn’t more well known across the UK, let alone North Yorkshire, or Yorkshire as a whole.
But what makes Harrogate stand out as a district of four beautiful villages is that it has remained a very independent space for individuals and businesses alike. From shops to cafes and restaurants to museums and galleries, they are the perfect base to discovering the district.
This is the area to explore the great outdoors, such as the Dales towns of Pateley Bridge and Masham that make a great base for walkers, cyclists and those with a love of the outdoors who want to explore glorious Upper Nidderdale.
To juxtapose the nature side, there is Knaresborough and Boroughbridge who have a deep and fascinating history in and amongst their thriving independent shops. From thriving tea rooms to the smells of home baking and a range of locally prepared ales and meals, this is where you come when you want to cleanse your soul.
It’s safe to say that if you were throwing a party, then Harrogate is one of the key destinations to do this in. From wedding venues spilling into every nook and cranny of the area to venue rooms in luxurious hotels and even designated fields for marquee hire, then you are looking at the perfect location for any of these locations, and in particular, any of our catered services!
From The Swan Hotel to Rudding Park, The Sun Pavillion to Ripley Castle, there are more venues than you can shake your fist at, so why not look at the whole of Harrogate to pick a venue that suits your needs.
A land of food and drink
It’s no surprise that Harrogate is then so welcomed as a location of truly great and equally, typical Yorkshire fayre. This is the town of Betty’s Tea Room where coach loads of tourists and visitors line up to sample the world famous afternoon tea, but it is also home to some truly wonderful cuisine.
From freshly baked cakes and scones (to match the teas) to world food produced in some stunning restaurants, with AA Rosettes such as the Fat Badger Bar & Grill to the Timble Inn restaurant, this is a town that understands great food and cuisine. The local Fodder is a widely recognised store for exquisite ingredients and we even have a connection with Holmfirth Fresh Fish which we have used for wonderful produce in our catering over the last year!