Harrowgate, two miles northwest of Knaresborough, consists of two scattered villages, distinguished by the names of High and Low Harrowgate, nearly a mile distant from each other; both built on a common, yet possessing sufficient accommodation for company. The situation of High Harrowgate is extremely pleasant, commanding a most extensive prospect of the country, finely varied by towns, villages, fields, and woods. The cathedral of York is seen distinctly at the distance of twenty miles, and the view is terminated by the Craven-hills on the west; Hambleton-hills and the Yorkshire Wolds on the east.

Of Harrowgate it has been remarked, while some places are visited because they are fashionable, and others on account of the beauty of their scenery, this is chiefly resorted to by valetudinarians, who frequently derive health from its springs; otherwise upwards of two thousand persons would not annually repair to this sequestered spot.

The old chalybeate spa at Harrowgate, discovered by Captain Slingsby in 1571, rises opposite the Granby-inn, and has an elegant dome over it, erected by the Earl of Roslyn in 1786. This well is strongly recommended to persons for whom tonics are prescribed. The Tewit Well stands about half a mile west of the former, from which it differs very little. The Sulphur Wells are at Lower Harrowgate, and are properly enclosed and secured; the water at first is clear and sparkling, and throws up a quantity of air bubbles; has a strong sulphurous smell, tastes salt, and, according to the popular opinion, seems to the palate like rotten eggs and gunpowder. Taken from two to four pints it is purgative, and is found serviceable in scurvy, scrofula, and cutaneous diseases. It is also used by way of bath or fomenting, when its good effect on the diseases of the skin and the cure of ulcers, are generally perceptible, as well as in removing old strains, aches, and paralytic debilities. It has also been found useful in destroying worms, and been recommended in gout, jaundice, spleen, the green sickness, and other disorders arising from obstruction.

The season at Harrowgate begins in May, continues till Michaelmas, and in fine autumns concludes in October. The company are accommodated at several large inns on a heath about a mile from the town, each house having its long-room and an ordinary; the board per day, fluctuates between seven and ten shillings at the different inns. Here, and at the boardinghouses, various parties are formed, who eat in common, and thus enjoy at a reasonable rate many comforts and even luxuries, which singly they could not command, while their repasts are seasoned by social conversation, and both sexes vie with each other in the art of being mutually agreeable.

A theatre was opened at Harrowgate in 1788; there are, besides, billiard-rooms, at which ladies as well as gentlemen attend; the former merely for amusement: deep play of any kind is seldom practised; and the consequence of mixing with female company is found to be advantageous to sobriety. Hargrove’s library at High Harrowgate, is well supplied and much frequented; and there is also another improving library. The new promenade is an elegant and commodious building in the midst of a large garden, and serves as a morning lounge for the company who attend the wells.

Mr. Bigland observes, that "the sulphur springs are very offensive to the smell and the taste; but experience has proved them to be excellent remedies in cutaneous disorders and scrophulous eases, as well as highly efficacious in destroying worms and their nidus; in cleansing the bowels, and removing chronic obstructions. In the year 1783, was discovered in the garden of the Crescent-inn, at Low Harrowgate, a new spring, which being of a middle nature between the sulphur and chalybeate, and containing ingredients of both, is peculiarly suited to chronic diseases. The Harrowgate waters have been analysed, and their qualities explained by many eminent physicians. The first treatise on the virtues and uses of the chalybeate springs was written soon after their discovery, by Dr. Bright; who was followed by Dr. Dean in 1626; by Dr. Stanhope in 1631; Dr. French in 1651; Dr. Neale in 1656; and Dr. Simpson in 1668. The sulphurous waters have been treated by Dr. T. Short, Dr. William Alexander 1773; Dr. Walker in 1784, and Dr. T. Garnet in 1793, to the last edition of whose valuable treatise an appendix of cases is added by Dr. J. Jaques, physician at Harrowgate. Dr. Nisbet, who published "A Medical Guide for the Invalid to the principal Watering Places in Great Britain, in 1806," remarks, that Higher and Lower Harrowgate possessing sufficient accommodations for company that mix in social parties, they enjoy more pleasure amidst the bleak and barren wilds of Yorkshire, than many taste in the fashionable haunts of Bath and Brighton.

The rise of Harrowgate since the first discovery of the springs in the year 1561, has been remarkable. Being at first but a miserable hamlet, the company for want of accommodations, were obliged to lodge in farmhouses and cottages, till the year 1687, when the first inn, now called the Queen’s Head, was built. Before the commencement of the last century there were three good inns at High Harrowgate; but during the last sixty years the annual resort of nobility and gentry has been great beyond all precedent, and this has become one of the principal watering places in England, having eight spacious and commodious inns, besides a number of private lodging-houses, for persons who are desirous of a more retired situation. At the inns there are public balls twice a week, at each house in rotation. Here is also a chapel erected by subscription, and consecrated in 1749. Divine service is performed here every Wednesday and Friday, and a sermon preached every Sunday throughout the year. Since the buildings about Harrowgate have increased, there are nearly 1500 inhabitants, many of them in opulent and easy circumstances.

Among the walks and rides round Harrowgate, is Harewood-Hall, the seat of Lord Harewood, built on an eminence, and from the south front overlooking a piece of water. This fine house being within an easy morning’s ride, is commonly visited by the company. The entrance to the ancient castle here, supposed to have been built about the time of Edward I., is by two portals.

One mile east from High Harrowgate is a bridge over a small brook, called Starbeek, and about two hundred yards to the east of this spot are two springs, formerly in great repute, but now quite neglected. Bilton-park is about half a mile hence on the left of the road leading to Knaresborough, and here are several petrifying springs, besides one of sulphurous water. Marble, alabaster, and coal, are likewise to be met with on this estate. We pursue our route through Harewood; but meet with nothing remarkable till we come to Leeds.

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HARROGATE is a fashionable watering place and town and polling place for the Eastern division of the Riding, with a station on the North Eastern railway (Leeds Northern line), 3 miles south-west from Knaresborough, 11 south from Ripon, 15 ½ north from Leeds, 22 west from York, 199 from London, 42 ¾ from Doncaster, 79 from Newark, 84 ¾ from Grantham, 114 from Peterborough, 131 ¼ from Huntingdon, 13 ½ from Tadcaster, 71 ¼ from Scarborough, 40 from Malton, 75 from Whitby, 21 from Thirsk, 26 ¼ from Northallerton, 43 from Stockton, 54 from Redcar, 51 from West Hartlepool, 31 ½ from Selby, 63 from Hull, 43 from Darlington, 66 from Durham, 75 from Sunderland, 82 ½ from Newcastle, 212 ¼ from Edinburgh and 260 from Glasgow. The town is in two parts, called High and Low Harrogate; but the rapid erection of buildings, as shown by the increased annual rental from £50,000 in 1870 to £90,000 in 1880, caused by the annual Increase of visitors, has connected the two portions. A fashionable accession to the town is the West End Park, well laid out, on which some very handsome villa residences have been erected. Bilton with Harrogate was formerly a chapelry, in the parish of Knaresborough, including High Harrogate, a portion of Low Harrogate and the village of Bilton, but Harrogate is now a parish in the wapentake of Claro, union and county court district of Knaresborough, rural deanery of Knaresborough, archdeaconry of Richmond and diocese of Ripon. The remaining portion of Low Harrogate is an ecclesiastical parish in the civil parish of Pannal, but in the archdeaconry of Craven.

Harrogate is not incorporated, but is governed by twenty-one commissioners, who are also the local board of health, under the Improvement Act, seven of whom are chosen annually. The town is lighted with gas and well supplied with water, and is annually visited by nearly 40,000 persons, English and foreign. The hotel accommodation is of a superior character, convenient and even luxurious. The Prospect Hotel forms a feature of some importance in the town, commanding fine views and having an extensive range of premises, with every accommodation for visitors. One of the hotels, standing in beautiful grounds, has recently been converted into an attractive Hydropathic Establishment. There is an extensive range of open ground facing the general outline of the buildings, called the stray; this comprises about 200 acres, and is secured for ever from encroachment by an Act of Parliament; it is beautifully situated and free for every kind of exercise, and is used also for military reviews: the owners of the stray have within the last few years, greatly contributed to its salubrity by draining it, at a considerable cost.

Harrogate lies remarkably high, the lowest part, viz. the Royal Chalybeate spa promenade and concert-room, being 326 feet, and the highest, Harlow Hill, 596 feet above the sea level, while the Observatory has an elevation of 700 feet. In the year 1571 a steel spring, similar to that of spa, in Belgium, was discovered by Mr. William Slingley, and from the report of cures performed, Harrogate at that time acquired fame; yet many circumstances for a long time impeded the progress of a spot thus favoured: the whole neighbourhood was a thick forest, and Harrogate Head was an almost inaccessible nook in the wolds of Yorkshire.

Near to the Bath Hospital are thirty-two mineral or sulphur springs, called the Bog Wells, which are considered curious, on account of their being so near to each other and yet having distinct qualities. About one hundred years ago, a Mr. Kerr leased the ground about the bogs to get coal and iron: in digging near the sulphur wells the first stratum reached was vegetable mould; the next, a marly limestone, so abraded by acids and salts that, when dry, some of it was a mere sponge: a stratum of plaster was also found there; the pyrites lay under the surface above the wells; above the chalybeate was a moss; then a whitish blue clay, four yards thick; then gravel, two yards thick; and then shale, twenty yards thick; here the workmen were stopped by an impetuous subterraneous current of water from pyrites, with a foetid odour, a perpetually flowing and rapid current, on account of which the works had to be abandoned.

Researches which are now being carried on at the Yorkshire College by Dr. Oliver, and by other scientific men, will, it is believed, greatly increase our knowledge as to the nature of these waters, the properties of many of which are at present but little known or understood.

The following is the analysis of the springs made by Drs. Muspratt and Miller:—

CUBIC INCHES OF THE GASES IN ONE GALLON OF EACH OF THE WATERS.

The Bath Hospital, a stone building, about a quarter of a mile from the town, and standing on a site presented by the late Earl of Harewood, was erected in 1824, but has since been twice enlarged: this hospital is supported by voluntary subscriptions, and holding about 100 patients, is for the gratuitous relief of the poor requiring the use of the Harrogate waters: the baths are supplied from the sulphur springs in the bogs adjoining.

The Royal Pump Room, the property of the Board of Commissioners, situated at the west end of the Crown hotel, is an octagonal building of stone, designed by Isaac T. Shutt esq. and opened on the 21st July, 1812; it has four projecting sides, with corresponding recesses, over which there is a large dome surmounted by a cornice, on which are eight dolphins supported by a crown; the room is entered by four pairs of folding doors: adjoining the pump room are Promenade Room and Grounds used for concerts, bazaars &c. The Royal Chalybeate spa promenade and concert-room is a handsome stone building in the Grecian style, 100 feet long by 33 feet broad; the entrance is approached by a flight of steps, on the top of which are six massive fluted columns, over which there is a fine portico; concerts are held here every evening during the season: the room is lighted by beautifully ornamented windows and three elegant chandeliers, and is fitted up with every requisite; adjacent to the room are extensive pleasure grounds and terraces, affording a delightful resort for visitors, in which a band plays every morning; along the north side of the room a new octagonal pump room and a colonnade of iron and glass have been erected at a cost exceeding £2,000, and on the north side of the colonnade is an extensive asphalte skating rink: in the new pump room the now famous chalybeate, or chloride of iron water, discovered by the late Dr. Muspratt, is served, an analysis of which is given above. The concerts and pleasure grounds are undoubtedly the most attractive and fashionable resorts in Harrogate. The Montpelier springs are situated in beautiful pleasure, grounds at the east end of the Crown hotel, and are enclosed in an octagonal building, resembling a Chinese temple; in front of the baths is a handsome fountain, with a variety of figures. The Montpelier Baths, situated in the centre of the same grounds, were erected by the late Mr. Thackwray in 1834; the building, which is extensive and commodious, has a handsome portico, and the entrance hall is lofty and lighted by a dome.

The Victoria Baths were erected in 1871, on the Victoria Bath estate, at a cost of about £27,000, and occupy the site of the gardens on the side of the old Victoria Baths; the reservoir is formed into seven separate compartments, and will contain over 240,000 gallons of water: the corridor is 200 feet long and 8 feet wide. This establishment is the property of the Board of Commissioners. More than 20,000 baths of mineral water are given annually, and the capacities of the establishment are even beyond this. The Boardroom, Town Clerk’s Offices &c. are in this building.

Over the Tewit Well is a fine cupola, supported by eleven stone pillars, which was formerly over the waters of the present Royal Pump Room and was removed to its present situation when the new building was erected.

The Observatory is a lofty square tower situated on a considerable eminence, 1 mile from the town, and was built in 1829 by the late J. Thomson esq.; on the top of the tower is a raided platform, finished with powerful telescopes from which objects can be seen at a distance of sixty or seventy miles; the public are admitted by a small payment.

Christ Church, High Harrogate, is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1829 from the parish of Knaresboro’. The church, erected in 1831 on the site formerly occupied by the old church of St. John, built in the year 1744, is a stone structure in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, transepts and organ chamber with a square tower surmounted by pinnacles, containing a clock and 2 bells; one-half of the sittings are free. The register dates from the year 1745. The living is a vicarage, yearly value £300, in the gift of the Bishop of Ripon and held by the Rev. William Wynter Gibbon M.A. of Christ’s College, Cambridge, Canon of Ripon.

St. Mary’s, Low Harrogate, is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1830 from the parishes of Knaresboro’ and Pannal; the church was built in 1824 and is a stone edifice in the Early English style, consisting of nave and aisles with a tower containing 6 bells and a clock. There are 800 sittings, all of which are free. The register dates from the year 1824. The living is a vicarage, yearly value £500 with residence, in the gift of the Rev. Alfred Peache and held by the Rev. George Oliver Brownrigg M.A. of Trinity College, Dublin, Chaplain to Bath Hospital and surrogate.

St. Peter’s is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1870 from the parish of High Harrogate; the church, which is situated in Central Harrogate, is a handsome cruciform stone structure in the Early Decorated style, erected at a cost of £18,500 and consecrated 3rd October, 1876; it consists of chancel, nave, transepts and aisles; the chancel terminating in a semi-circular apse with seven lights, richly moulded and carved, the centre light is stained, in memory of the late Mrs. Feilde, who gave the site for church and schools and an endowment of £3,000 and likewise her own house for the vicarage. The register dates from the year 1873. The living is a vicarage, in the gift of the Church Patronage society, yearly value £450, with residence, and held by the Rev. Lundy Edward William Foote, of the Church Missionary College, Islington.

All saints' mission church, situated at Harlow Hill, and intended for the population of the outlying district of St. Mary’s, is a Gothic structure, erected at a cost of £1,400 and opened in 1871, and consists of chancel, nave, transept, chapel and vestry, with a tower, spire, 1 bell and organ chamber; the roof is open timbered; the seats are all free and will seat about 250 people; attached to this church is a cemetery.

St. Robert’s Catholic church, in St. Robert street, is of red brick with stone dressings, in the French Gothic style, built in 1873, at a cost of £3,000, and has a campanile tower and baptistery, nave with five bays dividing it from the east and west aisles, in each of which is an altar at the north end; in the chancel is a richly carved altar of white Caen stone and marble, erected at a cost of £400, by Mias Bailey, of York.

There are chapels for Congregationalists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Wesleyans, United Free Methodists and Primitive Methodists, to some of which schools are attached; there is also a Friends’ meeting house.

The Harrogate Cemetery, situated to the north of the town, was formed in 1863 and is 4 acres 2 roods in extent; there are two mortuary chapels connected with each other and surmounted by a turret with spire containing 1 bell, forming an attractive feature in the landscape When viewed from High and Low Harrogate.

Harrogate Cottage Hospital, situated in Towet street, was founded in 1870 and is supported by voluntary contributions.

Rogers’ Almshouses, in Victoria park, erected and endowed by the late George Rogers esq. in 1868, form a handsome group of buildings, and afford a retreat for twelve aged couples, or widows and spinsters, nine from Bradford and three from Harrogate, of decaved fortune and good reputation, with an allowance of £20 per annum.

A Horticultural society is established, and a floral fete is held in September, in the pleasure grounds attached to the Chalybeate spa concert room; balls are held weekly during the season at the Queen, Crown, Granby and Prospect hotels.

There are many schools and educational establishments in the vicinity; which are very popular owing to the reputation of the place as a healthy locality.

There are many objects of interest in the neighbourhood; at Knaresborough, 3 miles distant, are the ruins of the Castle, the Dropping or Petrifying Well, St. Robert's Chapel and Cave; Brimham Rocks, 10, miles distant; Bolton Abbey, 16 miles; Ripon Cathedral, 11 miles; rains of Fountains Abbey, 13 ½ miles; Mowbray Castle and Weeping Rock, 18 miles; York Minster, Castle, &c. 22 miles; and the ruins of Spofforth Castle, 4 miles distant.

Pilton, on the north and east of Harrogate town, is separated from Knaresborough by the river Nidd. St. John’s is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1857 from the parish of Knaresborough; the church was built in 1855 at the cost of William sheepshanks esq. from the designs of the late Sir G. Gilbert Scott, and is a fine example of a modern church, in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave and aisles, with a tower of massive and elegant pro-portions containing 1 bell: in the chancel are some stained windows. The register dates from the year 1855. The living is a vicarage, yearly value £250, in the gift of the Rev. T. Sheepshanks and held by the Rev. Basil Kilvington Woodd LL.M. of Trinity College, Cambridge.

The principal landowners are the Rev. Thomas sheepshanks, the Duchy of Lancaster, Thomas Collins and the Commissioners.

The population of Harrogate Local Board District in 1871 was: —

Present estimated population, 10,000; rateable value, £63,500; the area is 4,121 acres.

Insurance Agents: -

British Empire Mutual Life, T. S. Roberts, Free Methodist Church school; W. H. Wyles, 4 Royal orescent; T. R. Collins, 21 Promenade square.

County Fire & Provident Life, H. E. Hudson, Suffolk lodge.

Law Union Fire & Life, s. Powell, Albert street.

Lion Fire, R. T. Bod man, Avenue terrace; J. P. Anderson, 14 Montpelier parade.

Liverpool, London & Globe, S. Powell, Albert street; J. Richardson, Parliament street.

Manchester Fire, J. Pickup, Bank buildings.

North British & Mercantile, J. Turner, Beech villa, Starbeck; H. A. Stokes, Prospect crescent; W. H. Wyles, 4 Royal crescent.

Norwich Union Fire, Mrs. S. Hollins, 26 Park parade.

Phoenix Fire, S. Davey, Duchy of Lancaster office.

Queen, W. H. Milner, south park.

Royal, J. Wilson, West park, & J. Hobkinaon, Cold Bath road.

Scottish Equitable Life, J. Brunt, Starbeck; J. Day, Herald office, Royal parade.

Scottish Union & National Fire & Life, C. Pullan, Woodsley house, Walker road.

Scottish Widows' Fund, Kirby & son, Princes street; J. Pickup, 4 Rank buildings.

Sun Fire & Life, R. Ackrill, 1 Royal parade.

Westminster Fire, S. Davey, Duchy of Lancaster office.

Yorkshire Fire & Life, A. M. Bateson, North Park road.

Places of Amusement:—

Royal Chalybeate spa, Concert Room & Pleasure Grounds, Low Harrogate (G. Thompson, sec.)

Billiard Rooms (private), Queen hotel, Henry Milner, High Harrogate; Adelphi hotel, Cold Bath road, Thomas Trees; Prospect hotel, William Bartram; (public & private), John Richardson, Parliament street, Mincing lane.

Bowling Greens, Binns' hotel, Mrs. Elizabeth Clarke, Cold Bath road; Clarendon hotel, Mrs. Ann Nicholson, West park; Adelphi hotel, Thomas Trees, Cold Bath road & in the spa pleasure grounds.

Waters: -

Royal Chalybeate, or Chloride of Iron spa, Low Harrogate.

Royal Pump Room, sulphur & Chalybeate Waters, Low Harrogate, William Higgs, lessee.

Leamington Saline Spring, Crescent Pump room, Promenade gardens.

Montpelier Baths, Springs & Pleasure Grounds, Low Harrogate, George McNeill, lessee.

Victoria Baths & springs, Low Harrogate, Charles Thomas Bond, manager.

Galvanized Medicated Baths, Volta house, North station parade, William Hardy, electrician.

Chalybeate Waters, at the Fewit well & John’s well.

Magnesia Water at the Magnesia well in Bogs field.

Places op Worship, with times of service.

Christ Church, High Harrogate, Rev. Canon William Wynter-Gibbon M.A. vicar; Sunday 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Monday 8 p.m.; Wednesday 12 noon.

St. Mary’s Church, Low Harrogate, Rev. George Oliver Brownrigg M.A. vicar; Sunday 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wednesday 7 p.m.

St. Peter’s Church, Central Harrogate, Rev. Lundy Edward William Foote, vicar; Sunday 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.; every week day at 8 a.m.; Wednesday & Friday at 12 noon.

St. Johns Church, Bilton, Rev. Basil Kilvington Woodd LL.M. vicar; Sunday 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m. Holy Communion, 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays of the month alt 10.30 a.m.; 2nd & 4th Sundays at 8 a.m.

All saints, Harlow Hill, Sunday 3.15 p.m.

St. Robert's Catholic Church, Rev. Michael O’Donnell, priest; Sunday 8 & 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; week days 8 a.m. daily.

Friends’ Meeting House, Chapel street, Low Harrogate; Sunday 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.

Congregational Church, Prospect place, Low Harrogate, Rev. F. Fox Thomas, minister; Sunday 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wednesday 7 p.m.; prayer meeting Monday 7 p.m.

Presbyterian Iron Church, Victoria avenue; Sunday 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wednesday at 7.30 p.m.

Primitive Methodist Chapel, Cheltenham mount, Low Harrogate, Rev, John Hedley, minister: Sunday, prayer meeting 7 a.m.; service 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m; Monday, prayer meeting 7.30 p.m.; Wednesday, preaching 7.30 p.m.

Trinity Wesleyan Chapel, West End park, Rev. Henry W. Holland, minister; Sunday 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Thursday 7 p.m.; Friday prayer meeting 7 p.m.

Wesleyan Chapel, Low Harrogate; Sunday, prayer meeting 7 a.m.; service, 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Monday, prayer meeting 7 p.m.; Tuesday service 7.30 p.m.

United Methodist Free Church, station parade, Low Harrogate, Rev. Ebenezer Cornish, minister; Sunday 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Monday, prayer meeting 7.30 p.m.; Thursday, service 7.30 p.m.

Schools

The Free, High Harrogate (boys), built in 1835, by W. Sheepshanks esq. with master's house, has a parochial room annexed, & is used also for a Sunday school.

Endowed, Bachelor’s gardens, Bilton, for poor boys & girls residing in the township of Bilton with Harrogate, was founded by Mr. Richard Taylor in 1745, and endowed with the rent of an estate therein, now producing £54 a year, and vested in seven, trustees;-Henry, master; Mrs. Noble, mistress.

Higher Grade (Christ Churchy (boys & girls), Church square, G. Wilder Buckingham, master; Miss E, E. Buckingham, mistress.

National (Christ Church) (boys & girls) supported by subscriptions, Skipton road, High Harrogate; Horace Birtles, master; Mrs. Annie Mary Birtles, mistress.

National (St. Marys), Low Harrogate, supported by subscriptions; Clement Carr, master.

National (St. Peter’s), were erected by the late Rev. Canon James, & are in the Tudor style, with a house for the master. Chapel street; Edwin Spink, master.

National (Smithy Hill), H. Birtles, master; girls & infants, Mrs. Birtles, mistress.

United Methodist Free Church, Victoria park, Thomas smith Roberts, master.

Wesleyan, Cheltenham mount, Low Harrogate, Richard Wesley Peet, master.

Catholic, St. Robert St. Miss Elizabeth Rothwell, mistress.