Local Links

Harrogate Advertiser: www.harrogatetoday.co.uk
Local Government: www.harrogate.gov.uk
Harrogate Chamber of Commerce: www.harrogatechamber.org

A brief insight to the history of Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Harrogate is a stunning spa town to the south-east of the Yorkshire Dales, famous for its tea shops, flower shows, turkish baths, antique shops, and the Harrogate International Conference Centre.

Until the 17th century Harrogate was just a quiet hamlet until in the late 16th century a man named William Slingsby realised that the well water tasted like spa water.

Further wells were discovered in later years and by the mid 17th century people began bathing in them.

During the 19th Century The Royal Pump Room was erected and then later The Royal Baths which is why Harrogate is well known as a historic Spa Town.

The town is also famous for its associations with the great English crime novelist Agatha Christie, who "disappeared" here for a few days in the 1920s. Agatha never revealed the full details behind her disappearance from Surrey although the storey she gave was that she somehow acquired amnesia and caught a train to Harrogate.

Upon arrival, she took a taxi to the Swan Hydro Hotel and signed in under the name of Teresa Neele. She resided there until after 11 days she was recognised from the missing person reports and eventually returned home with her husband. Further information about Harrogate can be found on websites such as www.enjoyharrogate.com.