What's on in the area

RHS Garden Harlow Carr

Daily

Cost: 9.30am-6pm (or dusk if earlier)

Hours: £5; students £2; 6-16 yrs £1; under 6yrs free; seniors £4.50; RHS members free

Just outside Harrogate, garden lovers can immerse themselves in floral heaven at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Harlow Carr, themed to reflect the trends of gardening in the past 200 years.

The gardens are located in what once formed part of the ancient royal hunting ground in the Forest of Knaresborough. Sulphur springs were discovered here in 1734 and a century later the owner of the estate made a protected well out of one of them and built a hotel and bath house for the locals to come and enjoy the therapeutic waters. The gardens were dug at this time to provide what was described as a "sweet, secluded spot". Today the hotel is known as the Harrogate Arms and the bath house was converted into a study centre in 1958.

The gardens can be enjoyed all year round, but there are also plenty of events to choose from, including educational and leisure courses, special themed family days, plus an open-air theatre and a cafe/bar.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr