Valley Gardens, Harrogate
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Valley Gardens, a grade II listed garden and the adjacent Pinewoods in the highly attractive North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate. Valley Gardens comprise about 17 acres of park, woodland, and beautiful floral displays.
It is believed that a greater number of mineral springs come to the surface in Valley Gardens than in any other known location on earth. Thirty-six of Harrogate's eighty-eight mineral wells are found within the area of the gardens.
The gardens were developed as an attractive walk for visitors to the Spa town, part of their health regime between taking the waters, and as a means of access to the mineral springs of Bogs Field.
Valley Gardens include attractive historic buildings, such as the handsome sun pavilion with its Art Deco glass dome and the colonnades (pictured above left). The floral displays at Valley Gardens are truly spectacular and include a magnificent dahlia garden and colourful seasonal bedding displays that are regularly re-planted throughout the year. The Cherub Fountain was created by a young Australian called John Robinson and was installed in the centre of the gardens on the 23 May 1972.
Facilities include a huge children's playground, a skate park which is suitable for BMX, skateboards and scooters, band concerts are held regularly on Sunday afternoons from June to the end of August, there is also an outdoor paddling pool for children, a games pavilion selling light refreshments, games in parks, including 4 tennis courts, pitch and putt and crazy golf, and a children's boating pool. Light refreshments are available from the Magnesia Well Café and the Games Pavilion sells some refreshments between Easter and September.
Most footpaths in the Gardens are suitable for the majority of manual and electric wheelchair users.
Directions
The main entrance to Valley Gardens is situated at the junction of Cornwall Road, Valley Drive and Royal Parade Harrogate. When arriving in Harrogate along A61, bear left just before Betty's Tea Rooms. At the next roundabout, go straight on onto Royal Parade and Valley Gardens are located just ahead. Sat Nav- Post Code HG1 2SZ.