VALLEY GARDENS—HARROGATE'S AWARD-WINNING PARK
NEWS BOX (For more information on these items, click here to visit our NEWS page)
  • Valley Gardens was awarded the top Platinum Award at this year's Yorkshire in Bloom Competition.
  • FOVG need Volunteer Gardeners. Can you help! See below for details. Our Volunteer Gardeners meet every other Wednesday. Click here to contact our Volunteer Gardening Coordinator.
  • Paul Cook, curator of RHS Harlow Carr, is the new FOVG President as of March 2024.
  • New lights have been installed on the main entrance pillars in Valley Gardens.
  • Friends of Valley Gardens have produced a World Tree Trail Guide detailing some of the unusual and fascinating trees in Valley Gardens.


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VALLEY GARDENS Harrogate is 17 acres of English Heritage Grade II listed park-land, themed gardens, floral displays and historic buildings. The adjacent Pinewoods (http://www.pinewoodsconservationgroup.org.uk) is a further 96 acres of woodland with footpaths leading to RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Birk Crag an area of outstanding natural beauty.

At the heart of Valley Gardens is Bogs Field where it is believed that a greater number of different mineral water springs (now wells) come to the surface than any other place on earth. Thirty-six of Harrogate’s approximately one hundred mineral wells are found within the gardens, with no two being alike.

The floral displays are spectacular and include magnificent seasonal dahlia and bedding flowers, that are re-planted throughout the year. The gardens are continually being restored and regenerated with major works spearheaded by Friends of Valley Gardens, working with North Yorkshire Council who own and manage the gardens.

DOWNLOAD A MAP AND GUIDE OF VALLEY GARDENS HERE (or click here if you cannot access the download):

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AWARDS WON BY VALLEY GARDENS AND HARROGATE
2023, 2022 - Yorkshire in Bloom - Platinum Award
2019 - Britain in Bloom - Gold Medal
2018, 2017, 2016 - Yorkshire in Bloom - Platinum Award
2017 - Britain in Bloom - Champion of Champions - Gold Medal
2009 - Britain in Bloom - Valley Gardens - Best Public Park in the UK
2004 - Entente Florale (Europe in Bloom) - Gold Medal

PHOTOS OF VALLEY GARDENS
To view photos of Valley Gardens please visit our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts. You can view a Photo Gallery of Historical Photos of Valley Gardens by clicking here.

THEMED GARDENS
New Zealand Garden, Japanese Garden, Scree Garden, Peat Garden, Rock Garden and Sensory Garden.

HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Old Magnesia Well Pump Room (1858), New Magnesia Well Pump Room now Ripley Ice-cream & Café (1895), Sun Pavilion, Sun Colonnade Walk and Bandstand (1933)
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Old Magnesia Well Pump Room and Information Center
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Ripley Ice-cream and Café

REFRESHMENTS
Light refreshments are available from Ripley Ice-cream & Café.
The Games Pavilion near the tennis courts also sells some refreshments between Easter and September.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Children’s Play Area with Paddling Pool, Model Boating Pond, King Edward VII Memorial Gate, Skateboard/BMX Park, Tennis Courts, Crazy Golf and Pitch and Putt Golf Course. The outdoor games season runs from April to October.
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Boating Pool
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Cherub Fountain


VALLEY GARDENS WALK TO
RHS HARLOW CARR
There is a wonderful walk from Valley Gardens through the Pinewoods to RHS Harlow Carr. This is a gentle family walk of 1 ½ miles through formal gardens and peaceful woodland. You can download the RHS map by clicking here.

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VALLEY GARDENS WALK TO
RHS HARLOW CARR
There is a wonderful walk from Valley Gardens through the Pinewoods to RHS Harlow Carr. This is a gentle family walk of 1 ½ miles through formal gardens and peaceful woodland. You can download the RHS map by clicking here .

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HISTORY
Valley Gardens was developed as an attractive walk for visitors to the Spa town of Harrogate, part of their health regime between taking the waters, and as a means of access to the mineral springs of Bogs Field. The waterside walk with flowers and trees became a place for promenading, socialising and taking exercise. Photographs of the gardens in the early 20th century testify to their enormous popularity with crowds around the tea room, boating lake and bandstand. A detailed History of Valley Gardens can be found here.

You can view a Photo Gallery of Historical Photos by clicking here.



HISTORY
Valley Gardens was developed as an attractive walk for visitors to the Spa town of Harrogate, part of their health regime between taking the waters, and as a means of access to the mineral springs of Bogs Field. The waterside walk with flowers and trees became a place for promenading, socialising and taking exercise. Photographs of the gardens in the early 20th century testify to their enormous popularity with crowds around the tea room, boating lake and bandstand. A detailed History of Valley Gardens can be found here.

You can view a Photo Gallery of Historical Photos by clicking here.



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