Harrogate (UK Leeds Bradford) Part 1

Was in Harrogate from the 14th Apr to the 16th. Coming from hot and humid Singapore, when I first arrived in Harrogate, I was assailed with the below 10 deg C temperature. My very first day there it was drizzling heavily. Well my exploring spirit wasn’t easily dampened though.

Instead of waiting in the hotel (Old Swan Hotel)…

Sitting by my window, the colors out there are splendid!

That’s my hotel, its almost 300 yrs old!
But it’s a beautiful 3 century building

Tourist friendly Harrogate, with directions to Valley Gardens (more on this later on)

I decided to enjoy the chilly rain and explore Harrogate town more. I must say, it’s very very different from Singapore. Harrogate’s rustic buildings and road system sets it apart from the big cities I’ve visited.

One of the houses around the hotel area

And so let’s go! Harrogate…

St. Wilfrid’s Church – the oldest church in Harrogate

Being a historically Christian community, Harrogate has a church almost every 1km square. Below are 2 more churches closer to the town square.

Raglan Street Church

Another view of Raglan Street Church

Harrogate Town Center boasts an assortment of retail stores. From Fashion to Food, Phone cards to Pubs. You can find almost anything you want here. Below is my first meal in Harrogate…Can’t remember the name of the dish, let’s just call it …

BIG FAT JUICY STEAK!!!

Across the street from my dining place is a shopping arcade, didn’t have time to visit though.

As you can see it was drizzling on the day of my visit. Oh the temperature was superbly cold but a “warm” welcome to tropical boy as myself. In short I totally soaked myself into the cold weather (rain or shine)

a couple of other food places

Valley Gardens…

This is a big park in Harrogate and when the sun is out, you will get to see plenty of folks strolling around. That day the rain cleared at 4pm and I just couldn’t resist the walk in the park, despite my tiredness from the 15hr flight.

In the garden, there is a Boating Pond for the purpose of….

…boating of course

What’s a park with flowers? Well, if the colors and types of floral in Valley Gardens are anything to go by, this park has the works!

this is NOT Japan, repeat, NOT 🙂

and of course the “lovely couple” shot, what park is complete without this

Even the fauna is in abundance, there were squirrels, ducks and pigeons. The pigeons there are “fearless”. I was only 1m away from the following feathered hero when this shot was taken.

“Braveheart” here even turned his head and stare at me

As it approaches evening, Harrogate’s sky is splashed with such a deep blue, it makes one want to stay out just to enjoy the color of the sky despite the chill that’s ALSO developing…brrr :S

It’s about time I head back to the hotel…stay tune for Part 2, where I take you for a walk into the woods, a 45min journey, till then…

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