UK’s No.1 staycation town is near one of the country’s best value theme parks
IF you’re looking to explore a new corner of Britain, the UK’s best staycation destinations have been announced.
With things like the happiness rating of the area and what you can do there taken into consideration, Harrogate in North Yorkshire was named the best place to head.
The list was put together by the AA, who took over 30 locations in the country and scored them on six factors. These included:
- Things to do in the area
- Places to stay
- The happiness rating of the area
- The number of car parking spaces
- The number of petrol stations
- The number of EV chargers in the area per 100,00 people
Harrogate took the top spot on the list because it has one of the highest happiness ratings (7.8/10).
The motoring company said happiness is a good indication of how nice a place is to visit.
There are also plenty of EV charging spots and petrol stations to keep you on the move.
And after a long drive up there, there’s plenty to do.
Harrogate’s a wellness resort and there are many spas in the area to be pampered at.
Its history as a spa town dates back to the 16th century when William Slingsby, an English soldier, discovered a medicinal spring in the area.
In the centre of the town is Turkish Baths Harrogate, a moorish-style bath house that was built in the 19th century with three hot rooms, a steam room, and a plunge pool.
Rudding Park Spa, on the outskirts of the town, is also very popular with its rooftop spa and garden.
Aside from working up a sweat in the sauna, Harrogate has lots of shops, high street retailers and independent stores, and many restaurants offering different cuisines.
Some of the top restaurants include Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant, close to the Turkish Baths, and La Feria, a chic restaurant and bar with a terrace that offers traditional Spanish cuisine.
Best staycation destinations to drive to in the UK
- Harrogate
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- Newquay
- Horley
- Richmond
- Poole
- Great Yarmouth
- Carrickfergus
- Anglesey
- Abergavenny
Harrogate is also an ideal location to explore a bit of nature, such as Brimham Rocks on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales – collection of huge natural rock formations around a 20 minute drive away.
Some of the rocks are safe to climb on and incredible views of the surrounding area can be seen from the top.
Less than half an hour drive north of Harrogate is Lightwater Valley theme park, which was a finalist for the Best Value Theme Park award in the 2023 UK Theme Park Awards and voted Yorkshire’s Best Value for Money Family Day Out on Tripadvisor.
The theme park, in North Stainley, has over 40 rides and attractions.
The popular ones include The Ladybird, a family-friendly roller coaster which is ladybird themed, Dragon Drop, a drop tower ride, and Skyrider, also known as the ‘chair swings’.
Ticket prices start from £11.25 depending on the day you visit. If you’re under 90cm entry is free.
I grew up near Harrogate - here are three things you need to do if you visit
Harrogate is just a 15-minute drive from the historic market town Knaresborough where travel writer Katrina Turrill grew up.
If you spend a day in Harrogate here are three things she reckons everyone should experience:
Visit Bettys Cafe Tearooms and pick up a Fat Rascal
If there’s one thing Harrogate is famous for, its Bettys tearooms. There’s always queues to get in at the weekends and I consider them experts in afternoon tea. If you don’t have time for a sit down meal, you can bypass the queue for the cafe and just visit the shop, where you have to pick up a Fat Rascal – a cross between a rock cake and a scone. If you just can’t face how busy it can get, there’s a slightly quieter Bettys tearooms at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, less than a 10-minute drive away.
Enjoy a stroll through Valley Gardens with the family
Valley Gardens is a lovely space in the town centre of Harrogate with lots going on. There’s a cafe where you can pick up hot drinks and ice-cream, a play area for children, a skatepark, beautiful flowers to admire, and plenty of quiet spots to sit and relax.
Go shopping or enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants around Montpellier Quarter
The quarter is very picturesque with its cobbled streets, floral hanging baskets and independent businesses that include art galleries, antique shops, fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It’s a short walk away from Vallery Gardens and great if you like to shop independently.