Hotel Group of the Year
Leisure near the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate
Golf from the Old Swan Hotel
There are plenty of opportunities to play golf during your stay at the Old Swan Hotel. A wide range of Yorkshire golf courses are within relatively easy driving range. So its time to tee up for a relaxing round of golf within a virtual nine-iron of Harrogate.
Harrogate Golf Club
Distance from resort: 3 miles (approx 9 mins' drive)
Further information: www.harrogate-gc.co.uk Tel: 01423 860278Oakdale Golf Club
Distance from resort: 1 mile (approx 3 mins' drive)
Further information: www.oakdale-golfclub.com Tel: 01423 567162Pannal Golf Club
Distance from resort: 4 miles (approx 11 mins' drive)
Further information: www.pannalgc.co.uk Tel: 01423 870043Knaresborough Golf Club
Distance from resort: 6 miles (approx 15 mins' drive)
Further information: www.knaresboroughgolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01423 860173
Horse Racing
You can bet on finding fun at the races at a satisfyingly large number of racecourses in Yorkshire. Catering for jump and flat racing, the courses host events ranging from high fashion and championship days out to relaxed racing events for the family. Pick up the invaluable 'Go Racing in Yorkshire 2009' leaflet at reception to plan your days out.
Ripon Racecourse
Set in beautiful parkland, Ripon's magnificent floral displays have earned it the title of Yorkshire's garden racecourse. Equally famous for the quality of its flat racing programme, Ripon kicks off Yorkshire's summer festival of racing in July.
Distance from resort: 11 miles (approx 20 mins' drive)
Race fixtures:
www.ripon-races.co.uk/fixtures.cfm
Further information: www.ripon-races.co.uk Tel: 01765 602156Yorkshire racecourses near the Old Swan Hotel
Wetherby Racecourse
Distance from resort: 11 miles (approx 25 mins' drive)
Race fixtures: www.wetherbyracing.co.uk/index.php?page=15
Further information: www.wetherbyracing.co.uk Tel: 01937 582035York Racecourse
Distance from resort: 22 miles (approx 40 mins' drive)
Race fixtures: www.yorkracecourse.co.uk/racingInfo/fixturesprices.aspx
Further information: www.yorkracecourse.co.uk Tel: 01904 620911Catterick Racecourse
Distance from resort: 32 miles (approx 50 mins' drive)
Race fixtures: www.catterickbridge.co.uk/fixtures.html
Further information: www.catterickbridge.co.uk Tel: 01748 811478Doncaster Racecourse
Distance from resort: 46 miles (approx 1 hr's drive)
Race fixtures: www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk/raceday/fixtures.html
Further information: www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk Tel: 01302 304200Pontefract Racecourse
Distance from resort: 29 miles (approx 45 mins' drive)
Race fixtures: www.pontefract-races.co.uk/fixtures-2009
Further information: www.pontefract-races.co.uk Tel: 01977 781307Thirsk Racecourse
Distance from resort: 23 miles (approx 36 mins' drive)
Race fixtures: www.thirskracecourse.net/racing_fixtures.asp
Further information: www.thirskracecourse.net Tel: 01845 522276
Castles, abbeys and country houses
The map of Yorkshire is dotted with historic houses and heritage sites of interest. Plan a day out from the Old Swan Hotel and visit a set of stately homes or pay homage to the architects who built some awe-inspiring abbeys. Every stone tells a story of intrigue, fortune and folklore.
Ripley Castle
Romance, drama, villainy and heroism all feature in the 700 year history of Ripley Castle. Home to the Ingleby family, this magnificent fortification enthrals visitors with entertaining and informative tours. Visit the Deer Park, walled gardens, tea rooms, children's play trail and impressive lakes.
Distance from resort: 3.5 miles (approx 8 mins' drive)
Opening hours:
Easter to the end of September: Daily 10am - 3pm; October, November and March: Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun 10am - 3pm. November - January weekends only.
Further information: www.ripleycastle.co.uk Tel 01423 771745Castles, abbeys and gardens near Harrogate
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Tel: 01765 608888
Distance from hotel: 10 miles (approx. 20 mins)
Newby Hall and Garden
Tel: 01423 322583
Distance from hotel: 14 miles (approx. 28 mins)
Skipton Castle
Tel: 01756 792442
Distance from hotel: 20 miles (approx. 30 mins)
Ripon Cathedral
Tel: 01765 602072
Distance from hotel: 11 miles (approx. 21 mins)
Knaresborough Castle and Harrogate Royal Pump Room
www.vip-statelyhomes.com/areas/details.asp?HID=469&ID=1283&path=12,17,56,1283
Distance from hotel: 4.5 miles (approx. 12 mins)
Theakston Brewery
Tel: 01765 680000
Distance from hotel: 18 miles (approx. 35 mins)
Bolton Abbey
Tel: 01756 710535
Distance from hotel: 16 miles (approx. 25 mins)
Harewood House
Tel: 0113 218 1010
Distance from hotel: 18 miles (approx. 30 mins)
Harrogate attractions
Harrogate's world renowned attractions have drawn visitors from across the world for centuries. Famous for spas, fine architecture and genteel surroundings, this refined but relaxed town gained a royal boost in Victorian times. Featuring art galleries, sumptuous cake shops, a Turkish baths and exquisite gardens, Harrogate is a town waiting to be explored.
Betty's Café Tea Rooms
The story of Betty's began in Harrogate in 1919, and this world renowned coffee house has been serving customers ever since. Betty's is a feast for the senses from the wrought-iron canopy entrance to a menu of delectable treats. You'll be spoilt for choice with over 300 breads, cakes and chocolates, as well as 50 different teas and coffees. Lovers of confectionery and cakes rejoice - there are now five Betty's across Yorkshire!
Distance from hotel: Less than 0.5 miles (approx 4 mins' drive, 3 mins' walk)
Opening hours: Daily 9am - 9pm (except Christmas, Boxing and New Year's Days)
Further information: www.bettys.co.uk Tel: 01423 814000The Turkish Baths
The Turkish Baths were built in 1897 and have recently been impressively restored to the grandeur of their Victorian heyday. The Baths' Moorish design consists of great Islamic arches and screens. Add walls of vibrant glazed brickwork, arabesque painted ceilings and terrazzo floors and this becomes a Byzantine fantasy land. Modern spa treatments now complement the historic surroundings.
Distance from resort: 0.2 miles (approx 2 mins' walk)
Opening hours: www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-1393
Further information: www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-1100 Tel: 01423 556746The Valley Gardens
Thousands of visitors flock to see the superb floral displays at Harrogate's most celebrated gardens. The Valley Gardens and woodlands cover 17 acres and are an English Heritage Grade II Listed attraction. They also contain more naturally occurring mineral springs than anywhere in the UK. Band concerts take place every Sunday afternoon in the summer.
Distance from resort: 0.2 miles (approx 5 mins' walk)
Opening hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day
Further information: www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-3359 Tel: 01423 500600The RHS Garden, Harlow Carr
Tel: 01423 565418
Distance from hotel: 2 miles (approx. 7 mins)
The Mercer Art Gallery
The Mercer Art Gallery is home to Harrogate district's fine art collection, consisting of some 2,000 works of art. The collection highlights the work of many of the finest 19th and 20th century painters. Works by William Powell Frith, Atkinson Grimshaw, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Dame Laura Knight and Alan Davie are all on display.
Distance from resort: 150 metres (approx 1 mins' walk)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm; Sunday 2pm - 5pm
Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays.
Also closed 24th-26th December and 1st January
Further information: www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-995 Tel: 01423 556188More notable Harrogate art galleries
Walker Galleries Contemporary Art
Distance from hotel: 0.3 miles (approx.6 mins walk)
Glass Forest
Tel: 01423 521100
Distance from hotel: 0.6 miles (approx. 2 mins)
Godfrey and Watt Gallery
Tel: 01423 525300
Distance from hotel: 0.4 miles (approx. 2 mins)
Anstey Gallery
Tel: 01423 500102
Distance from hotel: 200 metres (approx. 2 mins walk)The Gascoigne Gallery
Tel: 01423 525000
Distance from hotel: 0.4 miles (approx. 2 mins)
Shopping in and around Harrogate
Spend some time on Harrogate's historic and regal streets, dotted with galleries and boutique shops. Browse for unique gifts in the town's picturesque parades or the Victoria Gardens shopping centre. York, Bradford and Leeds also offer the best in city centre retail therapy
Distance from hotel: Within walking distance of the Old Swan Hotel
Opening hours: Core hours are 9am - 5.30pm
Further information: www.simplyharrogate.com/shopping.htmShopping in York
www.visityork.org/distinctiveshopping
Shopping in Bradford
www.visitbradford.com/leisure-attractions/shopping.asp
Shopping in Leeds
Mystery at the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate
In 1926, legendary crime writer Agatha Christie disappeared, sparking the biggest man-hunt of its time. Agatha was 36, her mother had recently died and her husband was having an affair. What followed read like a plot from one of her novels and ensured that the Old Swan Hotel will be forever linked with mystery and intrigue.
At 9.45pm on December 3rd 1926, Agatha left her home in Sunningdale. Sometime later her car was found hanging precariously over the edge of a chalk pit. A nationwide search ensued involving over 1,000 police and civilians and for the first time ever, aeroplanes. For eleven days Agatha's whereabouts were a complete mystery.
But on December 13th Bob Tappin, a Harrogate banjo player, recognised Agatha at the Swan Hydro (now the Old Swan) Hotel. He informed the police and Colonel Christie immediately came to collect his wife. Agatha kept her husband waiting before joining him for dinner, putting her disappearance down to total memory loss caused by the car accident.
Would a Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot come to a different conclusion?
It was said that, after crashing her car, Agatha travelled to London and boarded a train bound for Harrogate. She then took a taxi to the Swan Hydro (now the Old Swan Hotel) and checked in under the name of Mrs Neele, the name of her husband's mistress. Leaving such an easily traceable trail of clues has led to speculation that the disappearance was a publicity stunt. It could also be explained as a genuine sign of unhappiness. In 2008 biographer Andrew Newman claimed that she may have been acting in a fugue state - a trance like state caused by stress and depression.
In 1977, the film 'Agatha', starring Dustin Hoffman and Vanessa Redgrave, was shot on location at the Old Swan and in the Harrogate area. The Old Swan Hotel's link with Agatha Christie continues to this day and murder mystery events are particularly popular.
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