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04
Aug
We asked ChatGPT how a tourist should spend 48 hours in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon – here’s what it said…
As locals, we no doubt have our favourite things to do around the Harrogate District – and places we take visitors.
Personally, my list always involves Valley Gardens, Ake and Humpries and Stefanos – but what does AI think?
While in the past people would get guidebooks if they were going away, it is becoming more and more common to ask ChatGPT to put together an itinerary for your holiday.
But how good is it? How does it come up with the ideas? Surely recommendations from a local are better?
We put it to the test, asking the AI programme to put together an itinerary for a two full-day trip to each of Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon, including activities and food.
Here’s what it said.
Harrogate
Day One
9am: Breakfast at Farmhouse.
10:30am: Explore the town centre, including Valley Gardens and The Stray.
Of course The Stray got a mention. Pic: Syd Bell
Late morning: Royal Pump Room Museum (allow 45-60 minutes).
1pm: Lunch at Stuzzi.
2:45pm: Turkish Baths Harrogate (allow 2-3 hours).
Pre-dinner drinks: North Bar.
7:30pm: Dinner at The Ivy.
Finish the evening with a stroll through the illuminated town centre.
Day Two
9am: Breakfast at Baltzersen’s.
Morning: RHS Garden Harlow Carr (allow around 3 hours). Don’t miss the Bettys café.
1:30pm: Lunch at William and Victoria.
Afternoon: Take a taxi to Ripley Castle.
Afternoon treat: Bettys Café Tea Rooms.
No trip to Harrogate is complete without a cake at Bettys.
7:30pm: Dinner at Pranzo Italian.
Knaresborough
Day One
9am: Breakfast at Esme’s Coffee House and Kitchen.
10am: Explore the historic town, including Knaresborough Castle and museum.
12:45pm: Lunch at Six Poor Folk.
2:30pm: Riverside walk and hire a rowing boat.
Knaresborough Castle
Late afternoon: Mother Shipton’s Cave and the Petrifying Well (allow 1-2 hours).
7pm: Dinner at Carriages.
Day 2
9am: Breakfast at Nord Kaffe.
10am: Walk through the Nidd Gorge.
Mid-morning stop: Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag.
1pm: Lunch at Riverside Café.
Afternoon: Browse independent shops and have a break at a traditional tearoom.
7pm: Dinner at Zolsha.
Ripon
Day One
9am: Breakfast at Oliver’s Pantry.
10:15am: Ripon Cathedral (allow 1.5 hours).
Ripon Cathedral. Pic: Gary Lawson Photography
Late morning: Walk through the Market Square and stroll through Ripon Spa Gardens.
1pm: Lunch at Storehouse Kitchen.
2:30pm: Visit the trio of Ripon Museums – the Prison and Police Museum, Courthouse Museum and Workhouse Museum.
Pre-dinner: Enjoy a drink at one of the traditional pubs around the Market Square.
7:30pm: Dinner at Manchega Tapas Y Vinos.
Day Two
9am: Breakfast at Wilfrid’s Café.
10am: Taxi to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden (allow 3-4 hours).
1:30pm: Have lunch at the National Trust café within the estate.
Afternoon: Visit Newby Hall and Gardens, and stop at The Hive for coffee and cake.
7:30pm: Dinner at Mario’s Restaurant.
9pm: Watch the Ripon Hornblower in the Market Square.
So – what do you think? Did the technology miss out your favourite spot, or has it done a pretty good job of recommending the best sights and tastes of our wonderful area?
One question we did ask ChatGPT after it had put together the lists was what sources it had used to make the recommendations.
It replied it used a mixture of “well-established attractions and dining scenes rather than a live web search”.
It didn’t – as I thought it might – use recent restaurant reviews or top 10 lists to make recommendations.
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