The Best Hotel in England has partnered with two other award-winning and much-loved Harrogate brands to launch The Best of Harrogate Experience – a luxury two night stay at Rudding Park including an exclusive course at Bettys Cookery School and the Ultimate Gin Experience at The Spirit of Harrogate.
The Best of Harrogate is available to book Tuesday, July 31 to Thursday, August 2 – perfectly timed to celebrate Yorkshire Day on Wednesday, August 1.
Harrogate, long considered one of the must-visit destinations in the UK, often features on lists of the best places to live and happiest places to live. With 88 natural springs, Harrogate gained its own ‘season’, between May and September in the Victorian era, when it was fashionable for the rich, famous and aristocratic to gather in the town and take the waters.
Luxury has been a byword for Harrogate for centuries and this fashionable spa resort thrives today with the Royal Pump Room Museum in the Montpellier Quarter documenting the importance of local mineral springs.
Arrive at Rudding Park on Tuesday, July 31 and enjoy full access to Rudding Park Spa – which recaptures Harrogate’s spa heritage using spring water from the grounds at Rudding Park.
Enjoy unlimited access to the UK’s first Roof Top Spa, with its extensive range of hydrotherapy and thermotherapy experiences, select a 50 minute spa treatment each and relax in the Mind and Sense Zones, or take a swim before getting ready for dinner at Clocktower.
On Wednesday, August 1 – Yorkshire Day – start with Yorkshire Breakfast before being driven the short journey to award-winning Bettys Cookery School where expert tutors teach recipes, skills and techniques to aspiring cooks of all abilities.
For nearly 100 years people have been flocking to Yorkshire for a taste of Bettys. This iconic Yorkshire family business is devoted to many of life’s pleasures; handmade cakes, delicious chocolates, beautiful Café Tea Rooms and the finest coffees and teas.
Bettys Cookery School have curated a bespoke course inspired by Yorkshire for Yorkshire Day where you will create favourites including Rösti with Oak Smoked Salmon & Dill (which you will enjoy for lunch with a glass of wine), individual Strawberry & Raspberry Tarts and a Yorkshire Cobble Loaf. You will also receive a recipe booklet to take home.
In the afternoon, return to Rudding Park to relax and freshen up before your Ultimate Gin Experience at the Spirit of Harrogate.
In 1571 William Slingsby discovered the unique properties of the natural spring water from Harrogate’s Tewit Well. Inspired by this story, the Spirit of Harrogate have created a range of award-winning gins that celebrate this heritage and brings to life the essence and restorative nature of Harrogate, using a selection of botanicals from Rudding Park Kitchen Garden.
The Spirit of Harrogate experience allows you to discover the fascinating history of gin, learn about the different styles and tastes and how gin has developed today. Try award-winning Slingsby Gin but also choose from over 150 different gins they have on offer. Learn more about the art of distillation and make your very own personalised bottle of gin. Select your botanicals with the guidance of their team, distil on one of their mini copper stills and bottle with your very own personalised label to take home. Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure – perhaps choosing to dine in of the many restaurants Harrogate has to offer.
On the final morning, Thursday, August 2, enjoy an early morning swim or relaxing spa time followed by breakfast at Horto – Latin for Kitchen Garden.
After breakfast, Adrian Reeve, Kitchen Gardener invites you to join him for a tour of the Kitchen Garden where over 100 types of plant herbs, salads, edible flowers and fruit are grown to offer guests something different when the dine at Rudding Park.
The Best of Harrogate Experience, from Tuesday, July 31 to Thursday, August 2, is £1809 for two people.
