The UK city known for its afternoon tea, Turkish baths and spring water gin
WHAT do you get if you cross mango, ginger and liquorice root? I don’t know, but I’m about to find out.
My partner Sophie and I are at the Spirit of Harrogate’s Master Distiller experience in the spa town of Harrogate and these are just a few of the ingredients I’ve selected to make my very own artisan gin.
Like a kid in a sweetshop, or a slightly tipsy adult in a gin distillery, I’ve ventured up and down the jars of natural flavours, combining fruit and spice — and I’m not afraid to see how raspberry, cardamom pods and pink peppercorn take to each other.
I’m also not afraid to dip my finger in the other guests’ works in progress and give disapproving looks.
After a fair few gins, I’m feeling a little competitive.
Spirit of Harrogate is the company behind the award-winning Slingsby range. Its most popular bottle is the rhubarb gin, which we get to try along with many others, over two hours learning about all things gin.
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The Slingsby professionals make their gin from 24, mostly local, botanicals and Harrogate’s natural water.
Like lots of places in the town, their name originates from William Slingsby, who in 1571 unearthed the unique properties of the spring water here. His discovery brought thousands of visitors to “take the waters” to restore their body, mind and soul, and still does today.
The Turkish Baths Harrogate, with glazed brickwork, Islamic arches and arabesque painted ceilings, are one of only seven UK bath spas that date back to the 1800s.
Everyone who visits will start and end in the frigidarium, a spacious room filled with rows of loungers for guests to flop on — traditionally these rooms are cold, but this one is heated to a pleasant 30C, optimal for relaxing.
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We then visit the eucalyptus-infused steam room before making our way through three heated chambers: the tepidarium (warm room), calidarium (hot room) and laconium (hottest room).
This last chamber may hit 65C, but surprisingly it offers a less intense heat than a modern sauna.
And at any stage you can take time out with an invigorating dip into the cold plunge pool.
After three rounds in my 1.5hr session, this morning’s gin hangover is behind me and I can give the town the attention it deserves.
World famous
A stroll through the RHS Garden Harlow Carr is a must for anyone visiting, with 58 acres of diverse gardens to explore.
Sophie’s highlight? The sub-tropical gardens, with ferns and banana trees — all under a Yorkshire sky.
My highlight? The garden’s on-site Bettys Tea Rooms.
Bettys is one of Yorkshire’s most iconic businesses, with a world-famous afternoon tea and queues no matter what time you pass.
But for something a little more low key, The Tannin Level, a city-centre restaurant ten minutes’ drive from here, has been thriving for 40 years.
The chefs define their food as “Yorkshire on a plate” with hearty dishes of beef and mash with onions and beetroot and sorrel risotto all made using local ingredients.
Full to the brim, luckily our hotel The Majestic is just a 15-minute walk away and as the name suggests, offers a taste of luxury.
If you’re all about location, though, then The Yorkshire Hotel is right in the heart of the action, with wine bars and cafes on its doorstep.
On our final day we venture to the nearby town of Knaresborough, with a pretty river and viaduct.
The town is believed to have been the birthplace of Mother Shipton, a Henry VIII-era famous prophetess and witch who is said to have foretold Cardinal Wolsey’s death in 1530 and the Great Fire of London in 1666.
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And while I don’t have those levels of prophecy, I can confidently predict that a trip to this quiet and pretty part of the world will not disappoint.
And, no, that’s not just the gin talking.
GO: Harrogate
STAYING THERE: One night’s B&B at the Doubletree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa is from £111.
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The Yorkshire Hotel has rooms from £53.10, based on two people sharing.
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