Wharfedale

#1 most popular of 9 things to do in Harrogate

davidx writes, "This is one of my three favourite dales [I include the upper part called…" »

davidx writes, "These are a few of my favourites in the area, some much harder than others but all…" »

Swaledale

#2 most popular of 9 things to do in Harrogate

davidx writes, "Swaledale, like Wharfedale, is one of my favourites. I shall only look at the part from Keld to Easby Abbey, just below Richmond. Pretty well any road you choose from Wensleydale to hit…" »

Ripon

#3 most popular of 9 things to do in Harrogate

davidx writes, "Ripon Cathedral is probably not one of England's best-known, and from outside it lacks the grandeur of some, although the West frontage of the exterior is an exquisite example of Early English…" »

Harlow Carr Gardens

#4 most popular of 9 things to do in Harrogate

davidx writes, "This is a RHS [Royal Horticultural Society] garden planted in heavy clay soil on a sloping site with a stream running through - and it's great! It includes three national collections; rhubarbs,…" »

Fabulous Fountains Abbey

#5 most popular of 9 things to do in Harrogate

davidx writes, "Fountains Abbey was founded in the 12th century by a group of Benedictine monks in search of a simple life who became Cistercians. Like most monastic buildings in England, it was dissolved in…" »

Wensleydale

#6 most popular of 9 things to do in Harrogate

davidx writes, "I will confess that Wensleydale is not as high as Wharfedale or Swaledale on my favourites list - a bit too tidy and organised and less grand scenery - but not many places are in that category…" »

Skipton

#7 most popular of 9 things to do in Harrogate

davidx writes, "Skipton chooses for itself the title 'Gateway to the Dales.' I think of it as the gateway to Wharfedale, and I think of Settle, Hawes and Richmond as gateways to other parts of the Dales. More…" »

Dales

#8 most popular of 9 things to do in Harrogate

davidx writes, "There are some smaller dales that are well worth visiting. By virtue of the fact that they are shorter or that their rivers are only tributaries they rely more on natural scenery and less on…" »

Knaresborough

#9 most popular of 9 things to do in Harrogate

davidx writes, "This is a beautiful town in a gorge of the river Nidd with a castle towering above it on the top of a steep rise. The castle was built mostly in Edward the Second's time, though parts date back…" »