Holidaying with yourself in the Harrogate and beyond
Looking to take a break away with yourself for company and wondering where to travel? For an enjoyable and enriching holiday on your own, the Harrogate area of North Yorkshire is a perfect place to visit.
Take it all in, while you take time out for you
The choices are all waiting for you, from indulging in quiet time to relax and get away from it all, to trying something new and exciting that’s been on your bucket-list for a while. The options for meaningful and rewarding solo travel here are endless, there are so many different ways to spend time enjoying a personalised experience with other like-minded people.
Here are some ideas for taking a short break where you can find yourself feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and inspired to explore more of this beautiful part of North Yorkshire.
Take a treatment, like the first visitors to Harrogate
Step back in time and follow in the footsteps of the early visitors to “the English spa”. Discover the fascinating spa history of Harrogate as you unwind at the Turkish Baths and treat yourself to a relaxing treatment before or after immersing yourself in the spa experience of restorative heating and cooling in Harrogate’s famous waters.
Turkish Baths Harrogate
Take a four-legged companion with a difference for a walk
Are you an animal lover? Pair up with a fabulously friendly and fluffy walking companion at Nidderdale Lllamas. You’ll be “matched” to the ideal llama partner for you, before you head out to explore the beautiful Nidderdale countryside, on a guided walk with these wonderful creatures. Tempted to enjoy a longer trek? Refreshments are included, and llamas will even carry your kit for you.
Nidderdale Llamas
Get back to Nature in our gorgeous gardens
The Harrogate part of North Yorkshire is blessed with a wealth and variety of spectacular gardens and outdoor spaces – from the magnificent and colourful planted landscapes of Studley Royal Water Garden near Ripon, to the contemporary sculptures gracing the woodland and lakes of the Himalayan Garden near Masham, to the horticultural expertise on show at RHS Garden Harlow Carr.
Discover the pleasure of spending time in our fabulous gardens – why not plan a gardens-themed break here, using our itineraries for inspiration?
See all our gardensChallenge yourself at How Stean Gorge
If you’re feeling adventurous and you’re ready for excitement in the great outdoors, challenge yourself to something new and different while you push your own boundaries at How Stean Gorge. Head to the via ferrata, go gorge walking, try caving, rock climbing or abseiling - you’ll be amazed by the incredible natural features of this limestone ravine, created by water flow over thousands of years, while you explore the gorge whichever way you choose.
How Stean Gorge is one of the only places in the UK where you can enjoy rock sports and paddlesports in a single day.
Experienced instructors are on hand to guide you, and all safety equipment is provided for the activities. No previous experience is necessary, so whatever brings you to the Harrogate area, you can look forward to making life-changing memories at this unique place.
How Stean Gorge Activity Centre
Join a tour
Want to find out more about the area from the people who call it home? We have some fantastic expert tours to choose from, where you can enjoy unique and personalised experiences and enjoy a slice of life “like a local”.
Try a fabulously food-inspired tour with Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours, who will guide you around some of the best eating experiences in Harrogate; or head to Whittaker’s Distillery Tours in beautiful Nidderdale, where you can go behind the scenes at a working distillery, which produces internationally award-winning gins and now also whisky.
Discover the hows and whys
If you love gin, why not try a gin-making experience at Spirit of Harrogate Unique Gin Experiences? With a range of options to choose from, you’ll learn from the expertise of mixologists who will share some of their gin-making wisdom with you, before you craft your own take-home bottle in the Master Distiller sessions. Or head out to explore on foot, and find out some fascinating facts about the spa town with a friendly and knowledgeable local guide.
Explore the real Harrogate
Take an afternoon or more to browse the art galleries in Harrogate; find something distinctly different to take home or treat yourself to delicious artisan produce. If your dog is coming with you there are plenty of open spaces such as the Harrogate Stray or Valley Gardens.
Stop for a drink or a bite to eat at our independent coffee shops and soak up the café culture vibes, or wander through the Valley Gardens in Harrogate and enjoy the beautiful blooms on show – it’s a blissful way to enjoy time with yourself!
Explore HarrogateTips for travelling solo: While you’re travelling, keep your family and friends updated on where you are and let them know your travel plans. It’s a good idea to pass on your itinerary details to a trusted third party before you head off from home, in case you lose any information that you need while you’re travelling. You can download apps such as 'Find My Friends', meaning people can easily locate you in the event of an emergency, or if you are just too busy to get to the phone – or 'what3words', which will be able to pinpoint your exact location.
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