Home-grown in Harrogate and beyond

Yorkshire Day is celebrated each year on 1 August as people across Yorkshire come together to share pride and passion for all things Yorkshire.

It’s a great opportunity to celebrate everything that is Yorkshire born and bred, produced and home-grown in our fabulous county – including our wonderful independent businesses.

We are fortunate to have an incredible wealth of amazing independent businesses, from coffee shops to gift shops, restaurants to bespoke boutiques offering authentic Yorkshire products of distinction.  Together they make the eating, drinking and shopping experience not only special and exciting, but unique and personal. 

Here are a few of our favourites to visit when you’re in town.

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The Cheeseboard

Thanks to the comical claymation characters Wallace and Gromit you might perhaps be hard pushed to find someone who doesn’t think of Wensleydale when they think of Yorkshire cheese, but there are dozens of delicious cheeses from Yorkshire to discover and you’ll find many of them, together with the finest selection of seasonal cheeses from further afield, here at The Cheeseboard of Harrogate, an independently run specialist cheese shop that celebrated its 40th birthday in 2021.

Visit the Cheeseboard
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Bettys

One of Harrogate’s finest and perhaps most famous home-grown exports, Bettys café and tea room draws thousands of visitors to Harrogate every year, dying to try the delicious and bespoke Bettys Afternoon Tea. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, or just want to treat yourself with an exquisite eating experience, you can book a table in the stylish and historic Imperial Room, and enjoy tantalising your taste-buds with tasty treats whilst being serenaded by a pianist in stunning surrounds.

Visit Bettys in Harrogte
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The Tannin Level

This fantastic and long-established independent restaurant located in the heart of Harrogate describes its food philosophy as ‘Yorkshire on a plate’. Using local and seasonal produce to create mouth-watering menus of modern British cuisine, The Tannin Level’s team of passionate chefs will serve you sublime food to savour and love. Dine in for lunch or dinner and don’t forget to book – it can get very busy here!

Book a table at the Tannin Level
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William & Victoria

This family-run independent restaurant is as well loved by locals as it is by visitors to Harrogate, with friendly, personal service and outstanding food sourced from excellent local suppliers. Dishes are created from only the best quality ingredients, so whether it’s tasty tapas at the bar or a three-course meal in the dining room, at “Will & Vics’” you can look forward to a fabulous eating experience blending British cuisine with internationally-influenced flavours.

Book a table at William & Victoria Restaurant

WHY 1 AUGUST?

Yorkshire Day as it is now commemorated was established in 1975.  Historically the date had been marked annually by the Light Infantry, successors to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, as Minden Day, after the battle of Minden. On 1 August service personnel from the regiment, along with five other infantry regiments of the British Army, were permitted to wear a rose in their headdress which, in the case of the Light Infantry, was white.

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Starling Independent Bar Café Kitchen

This wonderful and independent all-day eatery and coffee shop is a true gem of the Harrogate area serving great coffee – including a Yorkshire roast, Dark Woods - craft beer, fine wines and a selection of gin alongside a fantastic food menu. Enjoy the laid-back vibes at Starling - and the entertainment programme, which ranges from live music events to a weekly quiz.

Starling Independent Bar Café Kitchen
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Fink

Boroughbridge, to the northeast of Harrogate is not only a beautiful place to visit, with a picturesque market square and a thriving high street, it has an amazing selection of independent retailers. At Fink you can look forward to finding something different, something delicious and something of class – be tempted by an array of locally produced fine fayre and continental delicacies.

Fink
Inger Rae

Inger & Rae

If you’re looking for something special, perhaps a unique gift for someone you care about, a memento of your time in the beautiful Harrogate area, or perhaps something lovely to brighten your home and make you smile, head to Inger and Rae, a wonderful and independent boutique in the centre of Harrogate full of bespoke creations from Yorkshire and further afield.

Inger & Rae
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Japanese shop

With carefully selected and handpicked authentic Japanese products, the Japanese Shop in Harrogate is renowned for its fabulous collection of Japanese items to purchase, and has customers all over the world. From kimonos to kokeshi, come in and browse the beautiful, elegant and bespoke products of this unique and quirky independent retailer.

The Japanese Shop, Harrogate

Wherever you choose to explore, you can look forward to a fantastic time as you discover our independent businesses. From bijou restaurants in Ripon on the doorstep of stunning Ripon Cathedral, to characterful cafes overlooking the tranquil River Nidd in Knaresborough, to the quirky shops of Pateley Bridge’s beautiful high street – the indie experience in the Harrogate area of North Yorkshire is hard to beat and will have you keen to come back again!

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