8 of the best views in Harrogate & the Yorkshire Dales
We asked for your suggestions... Here's what you said!
Last updated 22nd Oct 2021
We asked you about the best views in Harrogate & The Yorkshire Dales. Ideas included everything from popular town centre sights to little-known remote countryside landscapes. Read on to see if your favourites make our list…
The Yorkshire Dales above Kettlewell
A great base for walking, the village lies where the Kettlewell Beck meets the River Wharfe. Signs of farming methods that date back to Roman times can be seen in these fields. Tour de France cyclists got to briefly admire the view as they whizzed through the village on Stage 1 back in 2014.
Riverside at Ilkley
Right in the heart of town, it's a popular spot with bathers. After a long campaign, it was confirmed in December 2020 that the river would be made a "designated bathing site" meaning it will be closely monitored for water quality standards.
Knaresborough Viaduct
Maybe the most photographed view in the area? The viaduct carries the railway over the River Nidd. It was supposed to open in 1848, but just before it was finished, it collapsed into the river. They had to demolish what was left and start again. The second version, costing almost £10,000 opened in 1851.
Gouthwaite Reservoir
The lowest of the three reservoirs in Nidderdale, Gouthwaite lies just inside the National Park. Between the villages of Wath and Ramsgill, it is within easy reach of Harrogate & Ripon. A habitat for waterfowl and other birds, it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Malham Cove
One of the Dales most popular destinations, Malham Cove is a formation of limestone rock. The vertical face of the cliff from which this photo was taken is about 260 feet high. The pavement on top made of limestone blocks or "clints" (which you can just make out on the left of the photo) provides a habitat for rare plants.
On the way to Janet's Foss
Not far from Malham, the waterfall itself is great to see, but so are the views on the way! "Jennet" The Queen of the Fairies is said to live in a cave behind the falls... Tourists might occasionally paddle these days, but historically it was used as a sheep-dip!
Prosperous Lead Mine, Ashfoldside Beck
Lead mining was a significant industry in the area in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Spoil heaps and the remains of buildings are now the only clues to the industrial past of Upper Nidderdale. This landmark on a walking route near Pateley Bridge is now a "Scheduled Monument" giving it protected status.
Nidd Gorge
Just to the north west of Knaresborough is the popular Nidd Gorge: a 3-mile-long steep-sided tree-covered ravine. You can enjoy waterside woodland walks down in the Gorge and there are stunning views from the viaduct too.
Thanks to all those listeners who suggested their favourite local views.
Now see how Harrogate & the Yorkshire Dales used to look:
Hotel Majestic, Harrogate c1910
The Majestic opened in the summer of 1900. In its early years it was popular with celebrities, politicians and royalty from around the world. Still a hotel, it is now known as the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa.
Harrogate Hydro c1890
Now known as The Old Swan Hotel, in the late nineteenth century the Harrogate Hydropathic Company redeveloped it as a fashionable spa hotel. It was named "The Harrogate Hydro". It is where Agatha Christie was discovered after her 11-day disappearance in 1926. The "Harrogate Hydro" name lives on at the town's swimming pool.
Royal Pump Room, Harrogate, 1900
The octagonal stone building was finished in 1842. Guests would visit every morning to drink the sulphur water famed for its medicinal properties. Pictured here around the turn of the century, the glazed annexe wasn't added until 1912. The building now houses the town museum.
Royal Baths, Harrogate c1890
When they first opened, The Royal Baths were said to be the most advanced centre for hydrotherapy in the world. There were Turkish Baths, a dispensary for the medicinal waters, mud baths and steam rooms as well as consulting doctors on hand to advise you about treatments. The Turkish Baths are still open today!
Station Square, Harrogate, 1913
The Queen Victoria Statue on the right hand side of the image was unveiled in 1887, the year of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. At the time, this area was an undeveloped field but by 1902, the statue was on a traffic island, surrounded by railings.
Harrogate c1880
A town centre view, thought to date from around 1880.
Harrogate street scene c1925
By 1925, Harrogate town centre was bustling with traffic and shoppers.
Ripon Cathedral, 1910
A monastery was founded in Ripon as long ago as the 660s. The present building is the fourth to stand on the Ripon Cathedral site and was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. This image appears to have been taken from the banks of the River Skell, not far from what is now The Water Rat Restaurant and Bar.
Knaresborough Viaduct c1960
At first glance, little appears to have changed in this familiar image of the Knaresborough Viaduct. To this day, you can hire a boat and admire the view from the water.
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