Shepherd's huts near Harrogate
A Victorian-era spa town with easy access to Yorkshire’s national parks and AONBs.
Popular camping styles for Harrogate
Shepherd's huts near Harrogate guide
Overview
Just north of Leeds and at the gateway to the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Harrogate is a Victorian spa town that people visit to indulge in the soothing waters. Campers wanting to stay in Harrogate have plenty of options both within and around the town. Harrogate is also an easy base for exploring Nidderdale as well as the national parks a little further away, with the added bonus of being able to indulge in a spa after a busy day in the hills and on the trails.
Top things to do in Harrogate
If heading into Harrogate on a camping holiday, you might like to start your exploration with a visit to the Royal Pump Room Museum, which tells the story of how the town's tourism was built on water. And if you fancy a health boost, how about heading to the Turkish Baths in the Royal Bath House? It's the only remaining part of a larger complex where visitors can relax in hot rooms and plunge pools or try a treatment or two.
Modern shops make up Harrogate’s high street, meaning it's a great place to pick up both supplies and souvenirs or grab a bite to eat. The most famous among the Harrogate eateries is Betty's Tea Room, which has been serving afternoon teas for 100 years.
In addition, Harrogate is a surprisingly green town surrounded by The Stray, a 200-acre green space offering parkland, woodland, and a boating lake. But for wilder adventures, head out to the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Where to go
Nidderdale AONB
With the Yorkshire Dales National Park to its north, Nidderdale AONB is a beautiful landscape of moorlands, valleys, flower-covered woodlands, and rolling farmland. It’s a short distance from Harrogate so campers can visit on a day trip or stay at campsites and glampsites within the AONB itself. Many accommodation experiences around here are set on private farmland.
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Campers hanging around Harrogate may find it worthwhile to spend some time in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to enjoy the stargazing opportunities around here. Thanks to its rural location and distance from large towns, the night skies are very dark and this park has been designated a Dark Sky Reserve. By day, explore the hills, valleys, waterfalls, ravines, and villages on foot, and by night, ditch the tent for a cosy spot with a view of the night sky.
North York Moors National Park
Visitors to inland Harrogate who are seeking some beach time might want to head to the coast of the North York Moors National Park. While the park covers a large area in northeastern North Yorkshire, the coastal towns of Whitby and Scarborough (just south of the national park) provide plenty of seaside camping options for a lazy time at the beach, especially in summer.
When to go
Harrogate is in North Yorkshire, which experiences a generally cool climate. Tent and caravan camping will be most comfortable in the summer, and some seaside campsites (especially around nearby Whitby or Scarborough) are only operational in season. However, Harrogate is a nice place to visit year-round, thanks to its warm spa waters, so choose your camping or glamping accommodation to suit the seasonal climate.
