Yorkshire Attractions Near Harrogate

(Click on pictures for enlarged views.)

The topography of the area surrounding Harrogate is quite similar to the Kettle-Moraine area of Wisconsin that we live in. If you travel to the area, rent the smallest car available; the roads here were laid out by the Romans and are quite narrow. The following pictures illustrate the beauty of the area.

Map of Area
View after rounding a curve.
Note parked car!
Typical Ranch Setting
Sheep Ranch

Skipton is about 20 miles west of Harrogate. Skipton is a small market town. Its most prominent feature is Skipton Castle. The castle site was first a fort built by Robert de Romille in 1090. It has been the property the Clifton family since 1310.

Entrance to Castle
Residence
Skipton Castle
Castle Court Yard
View from Castle

Pateley Bridge is a pleasant, small town a few miles northwest of Harrogate. It has numerous small tearooms, pubs, and shops, including England's oldest sweet shop.

Gail on Pateley Bridge
View of Town
View from
Top of Town

Ripon is a small cathedral town north of Harrogate. St. Wilfrid built the first church here in 672. The current Ripon Cathedral rests on the same site. The first church's crypt is open to the public. Lewis Caroll's father was a residentiary canon of the Cathedral. Carrol did some of his writing on visits here. At 9:00 in the evening a horn blowing takes place. It is called the "Setting the Watch", and has been going on since the 10th century.

Ripon Cathedral
Gail in the
Cathedral Chancel
Harvey on Crypt Stairs
Ripon Street Scene

Fountains Abbey is near Aldfield (see map). The abbey was founded by Benedictine monks in 1132. TIt flourished until it was closed by Henry VIII in 1539.

Gail & Harvey
in front of Abbey
View from Inside Abbey
Inside Abbey
Inside Abbey

Ripley Castle is about 3 miles north of Harrogate. The castle has been home to the Ingilby family for about 700 years. Construction on the current house was started in 1548.

Ripley Castle

Knaresborough is about 2 miles east of Harrogate. It is very picturesque. There are many interesting points of interest, including shops, castle ruins, etc. England's oldest pharmacy was started here in 720. They have had market day here every Wednesday since the early 1300's.

Knaresborough

The history of York dates back to the 10th century BCE., founded by King Ebracus. The Romans invaded the area in 71 AD and called their capital Eboracum. The Danes occupied the area from 866 to 954. During this period of time, the town was called Jorvik. Originally, the old town was surrounded by wooden walls. Construction of the stone walls, surrounding the old city, began around 1250. Work on York Minster began in 1154.

Looking Back at
one of the Entrances
to Walled City
York Minster
Clifford's Tower
Back

(c) 2003 H. Sherman - All rights reserved. Permission to use for personal purposes only.

 Version of 11/22/2003