Excursions

For more information, please download the conference handbook from the home page. 

Royal Pump Rooms (3.7 stars out of 5)

Formerly a spa water pump house, the Royal Pump Room is a Grade II listed building, which now houses the town's museum. For further information on the history of the building and to find out about the exhibitions, visit the Harrogate Borough Council website. 

Ripley Castle (4.5 stars out of 5)

Ripley Castle and Gardens is a 700 year old castle steeped in history with magnificent grounds, lakes, Deer Park, Walled Gardens, Hothouses and Kitchen Garden.  There are fascinating stories to be told about the Castle which has been owned by the same family for 26 generations.  The Walled Gardens contain some of Britain’s largest herbaceous borders. The Hothouses contain a fantastic tropical plant collection and the Kitchen Gardens include rare collections of herbs and spices, fruit trees and vegetables. In the pleasure grounds you can take a walk around the lake and into the Deer Park. For further information, visit their website.  

Harlow Carr Botanical Gardens (4.6 stars out of 5)

RHS Garden Harlow Carr is one of four public gardens run by the Royal Horticultural Society. The garden has features evoking the surrounding landscapes, including water features, dry stone walling and wooded areas. Highlights include colourful herbaceous borders, wildflower meadows, the alpine zone and the woodland and streamside walks. As well as exploring the garden, there is a superb calendar of events to enjoy throughout the year. For further information, visit the RHS website. 

If you do not wish to join these organised excursions, please find  a list of other local activities which you can arrange independently below. 

• Betty's Tea Room
• Turkish Baths (tour or spa experience)
• Slingsby gin experience
• Valley Gardens