The Valley Gardens situated near the centre of Harrogate contain many special attractions as well as an opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of the shopping areas. Visit the Colonnade, Sun Parlours and Sun Pavilion, the Royal Pump room at the garden entrance, the Bandstand, the boating pool and Japanese garden. 
The pinewoods are full of scots pine, rowan, birch and sycamore and keep a look out for bat and bird boxes on the trees.
Established in 1950 these informal and diverse gardens are a place of magical beauty. A recent exciting development has been the creation of “Gardens through Time” which established 7 historical gardens reflecting the styles and influences of gardening over a 200 year period starting with the Regency period and ending with the 1970s. Diarmuid Gavin created a seventh contemporary garden reflecting modern day influences and materials.
The RHS run many courses and workshops and events including family quiz trails, outdoor theatre performances and guided walks.
The famous Betty’s Café is situated adjacent to the Harlow Carr Gardens, with stunning views of the gardens and offers a dining experience in elegant surroundings which is not to be missed. You may also be fortunate to catch the resident pianist performing who helps to capture that ambience of a serene bygone age.
You can walk from the Valley Gardens via the pinewoods to Harlow Carr, a distance of approx 1.5 miles taking about an hour at a leisurely pace.
On entering Valley Gardens, keep to the path on the left, following the stream.
At the Magnesia Well café veer right, taking the central path past the bandstand.
Keep straight ahead passing the tennis courts and pitch and putt.
Keep going until you reach the war memorial.
Take the middle path here signposted to Harlow Carr gardens.
Continue straight ahead through the pinewoods until you reach the road.
Cross to the path directly opposite, signposted to Crag Lane.
Follow this path until you reach a large green area known as the recreation ground.
Keep to your right where you will pick up a tarmac footpath. Follow this to a metal barrier and turn left onto Crag Lane to reach RHS garden Harlow Carr.
