The Stray Fair for the August Bank Holiday 2010 is now open (Thursday 26th August). It is open 2 – 11 every day up to the 4th Sept but shorter opening hours on Sunday.
The photos below are from the Stray Fair 2010 in June as the fair comes twice a year.
I spoke to the owner of the big Ghost Train who gave me permission to come inside and take photos of the Stray Fair before it opened in June. As you can see the Stray Fair is looking great this year! VideoVideo
I could not photo everything, so I hope this gives you a good idea of what is there. jm
Did you know Emmerdale is filmed near Harrogate? The village set is built in the grounds of Harewood House on the way to Leeds. A number of the Emmerdale actors live in and around Harrogate so it is not unusual to see them around. It is not possible to see the film set as it is well hidden in the vast grounds of Harewood House, but you can see them on Google Earth.
There are two webcams that are very interesting to view, but they are sometimes not working. Well worth a look. Also, if you watch the soap why not have a look at what is going to happen over the next week at Digital Spy.
Overnight robbery at Asda Harrogate July 23 / 24th 2010. Harrogate police are asking if anyone has any information, phone 0845 60 60 247 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
Monday 19th July and the Home and Gift Fair is on again. So Harrogate is very busy. I will be working on a where to eat guide for for visitors and delegates based on your positive experiences. So please feed back places where you have had a good meal. Once again, no paid entries will be allowed.
I don’t eat out much myself, so there will not be many of my recommendations. I will give a few though. However, food is quite personal, so I will keep recommendations as wide as possible to cater for most people.
My walk around RHS Harlow Carr on 17th June which is less than 2 miles from the centre of Harrogate. Car parking is free, but it is a great walk through Valley Gardens and Pinewoods from Harrogate. Guess what, being Harrogate there is another Betty’s Cafe and Tea Room with free access from the car park and ANOTHER Betty’s Tea House in the RHS Gardens. It is open every day of the year except Christmas Day from 9.30 am and Winter closing is 4.00 pm and Summer closing 6.00 pm. Enjoy the slide show.
The Knaresborough Bed Race 2010 took place on Saturday 12th June. Yes it is really a BED Race!! Something strange about us English. But it is all about raising money for Charity. Over the years it has grown and is now a really big event. The Knarsborough Lions are hoping to raise over £80,000 in 2010. Here are photographs from 2009 (2010 ones are in a separate post in this blog).
Decorated beds arrive 10am – 11am in the Castle grounds. 11.00 am entertainment starts in the Conyngham Field (Fete and food). 1.00 pm Procession of beds in Conyngham Hall. 2.45 welcome ceremony. 3.00pm Knaresborough Bed Race starts and finishes at 3.45pm. Yes it is true as part of the race they have to somehow cross the river!!! Not a stream, a proper deep river! They must be mad (my personal view as author of this Harrogate Blog!).
People do come from all over the world to see this, so please expect it to be very busy. Some some roads are closed to allow the race to take part on them. If you want a place to see the river crossing, you will need to be there very early or very lucky. Enjoy the day. NB I will add ‘live’ pictures via my iPhone to a new blog. So do feel free to log on Saturday afternoon to view them.
There are road closures on the day as it is a large event and the race does take place on some normally used roads (full details at the end of this Blog). These take place from 12.30 pm to 5.00 pm
STOP PRESS Friday 11th June – I have just been for a walk along the river and there was Aled Jones being filmed by the BBC interviewing a bed race team. I think it is for a Songs of Praise.
Details of road closures: The following roads will be closed from 12.30pm to 5pm
* High Street (Buses will be allowed to/from the Bus Station via Gracious Street junction only)
* Bond End/Low Bond End (Note: After the Parade has passed at about 2pm, eastbound traffic from the Ripley direction will be allowed through from High Bond End onto Boroughbridge Road only).
* Part of Harrogate Road and High Bridge
* Part of Boroughbridge Road (from Bond End to Stockwell Road Junction)
* Cheapside
* Castlegate
* Brewerton Street (north from the junction with Wellington Street to Cheapside)
* Market Place
* Silver Street
* Fisher Street
* Waterside (From Castle Mills to High Bridge)
(Note: These streets can, if required, be re-opened after the Race has finished at about 4.30pm)
Just a short drive from Harrogate, Brimham Rocks is so unusual. It is great place to visit for people of all ages and is most visited page on my Harrogate Blog.
Children love to run and explore rocks at Brimham Rocks that seem to defy gravity and many ask to be climbed. But the shapes are so interesting and it is a great location just to walk around. The rocks are scattered over about 50 acres of moor and some other shapes are like elephants, hippos, bears & and mushrooms.
I am posting just one picture of the many different unusual rock formations. All the rock formations are natural and made by nature. No trick photography, honest!
Owned by the National Trust, the location is free to visit. The only charge is for car parking (free for members).
Harrogate is an ideal UK holiday destination. As a Spar town it has historic buildings, specialist shops, just for ladies to buy exclusive clothes, with a touch of class from a romantic image of towns from our past.
The New Harrogate Climbing Centre is now open and has its official opening on 22nd June 2010. It is a great addition for things to do in Harrogate. It is suitable for Kids parties, learning to climb, corporate events, Kids clubs to name a few. You can also gain training and qualifications. Have a look at the pictures below and judge for yourself.
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