*This is a collaborative post
During our recent weekend break in Harrogate, we decided to spend the afternoon at Valley Gardens which is a free attraction in regal Low Harrogate, not far from the town centre.
Valley Gardens were around a 25 minute walk from our apartment (we stayed at St Geoge's Five). It was very easy to find and well signposted.
Heidi was wearing her GORE-TEX ECCO boots. I have just noticed it states they are for boys on the ECCO website but I think they are definitely unisex! As a GORE-TEX ambassador, Heidi has been sent these boots to test out this winter. I have to say we have been impressed. They are trendy, easy for Heidi to fasten herself (thanks to the toggle fastening) and completely waterproof. They are far more comfortable than rigid wellies and warmer too. The only negative I would say is like all longer boots, Heidi sometimes struggles to put these on herself but once they are on, she's good to go.
We arrived at Valley Gardens just after lunch and couldn't wait to explore. There were lots of children scooting around on their scooters or practising their moves on their roller boots. Next time we must remember to bring ours!
One family had brought their drone along and were practising their flying skills and a few people were sailing their toy boats on the boating lake and stream.
What to do at Valley Gardens, Harrogate
- Children's Adventure Play Area
- Skate Park
- Paddling Pool (in the warmer months)
- Pitch & Putt
- Tennis courts
- Crazy Golf
- Cafes
- Toilets
- Orienteering
- Children's Boating Lake
- Garden Walks
The Play Area at Valley Gardens, Harrogate
The play area at Valley Gardens really is superb. First of all, there are lots of wooden picnic tables for parents and carers to set up camp. They are by a kiosk which wasn't open on our visit but I'm assuming will be during peak visiting periods. The play area has it all - castles, swings, climbing frames, slides, wooden planes, musical instruments........it's the kind of place our children love and even 10-year-old Harry ran off to explore. It's huge too and these pictures don't really do it justice.
After a few hours playing in the play area, we decided to take a leisuely walk through the gardens just before the sun set. All of these photographs were taken in January and I really can't imagine how stunning the gardens will look in the height of spring and summer.
The gardens span 17 acres and are home to a wide range of beautiful wild shrubs, flowers and herbs. The historical sun pavillion and colonnades overlook the gardens and a wonderful place to find a seat and enjoy the peace for a few moments.
We adored Valley Gardens and will definitely be returning armed with our picnic and swimwear and really making the day of it over summer. Most of the paths are suitable for manual and electronic wheelchair users and there are disabled toilets on site too.
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What a lovely park! we haven't taken the kids to Harrogate but it's on the list. My mam has lots of happy memories there so will probably come with us. Her Nana's two sisters moved to Harrogate from Jarrow to find work in service and settled there so she used to visit them on holiday and went on her honeymoon!
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