Two YORKSHIRE pearls

Regal Harrogate and historic Ripon make for an enticing twin-centre break

- ALICIA MILLER

The perfect Yorkshire holiday is a tale of two centres. Start in Victorian Harrogate, a splendid spa town, then move on to Ripon – one of the nation’s smallest cities. In some ways these two places couldn’t be more different, yet  together they are the perfect pair for weekend explorers. Enjoy spa and shopping in Harrogate, and religious history and museums in Ripon. There are plenty of tea rooms, gardens and walks to fill your time too – and you don’t even need to drive.

Victorian splendour in Harrogate

Arriving into Harrogate, it’s easy to be struck by its beauty: neat honey-hued architecture, fashionable shopping strips, a beautiful Grade II listed Edwardian performance hall. The discovery of dozens of natural springs turned what was once two small villages into a hub for the elite during the Victorian era, attracting royalty and aristocracy to take the healing waters. Today, in the town’s compact centre, you can still see the old sulphur spring source by the Royal Pump Room – once a water bar, now a museum – and plenty of handsomely landscaped gardens. You could wander the streets and 200-acre landmark Stray parkland yourself, but it’s better with an expert guide. The excellent Harry’s Walking Tours (freewalkingtourharrogate.com) are led by the friendly and knowledgeable Harry, and are free twice-daily from Friday to Sunday.