At our July meeting, we had a lively discussion about transport provision in the Harrogate District. As well as finding out about a whole host of transport providers including Happy Wanderers, local taxis, HARCVS etc, we heard about ‘Vamooz’ – a new service provided by the Harrogate Bus Company. So, here are a few suggestions of day trips which might interest you.

Follow this link for further information.

Our party was able to choose between a guided tour of the house at 2.15pm or to wander around freely from 12noon. Those who opted for an early lunch found it warm enough to sit outside before light rain showers passed over. The food was locally sourced (some from the kitchen garden), cooked on the premises and reasonably priced so very acceptable.   

Arley Hall is frequently used as a film location & the crew of CBEEBIES were using the beautiful settings of part of the Walled Garden & ElizabethanTea Cottage area. Some very large and colourful artificial “flowers” had been added to the natural splendour of Arley’s floral planting. Arley has plenty of attractions/events throughout the year for families. Only a small part of the Hall is open to visitors. The guided tour, lasting 45 minutes, was enough to give us a good insight into the family history and development of the estate as a wedding/function & film venue. These all help to fund the upkeep of the Ashbrooke family home.

En route to the car park, a strategically placed plant nursery offered long lasting mementos of our visit as we left at 4pm to return to a still-soaking wet Yorkshire.

Tania Brightmore