5 things to do in Harrogate and the district this weekend

Above: Darren Taylor.

Go to photographer Darren Taylor’s exhibition

Showcasing his photography work that he has taken in and around Harrogate, Darren Taylor is putting on an exhibition at Harrogate Library.

Expect to see work from Harrogate town, aerial and vintage-style photography, as well as ICM photography; the art of moving a camera to create beautiful blur.

Free, various times, from May 3, Harrogate Library, Victoria Avenue, HG1 1EG.

Kick off the bank holiday weekend with live music at The West Park Hotel

The West Park Hotel in Harrogate is hosting its Courtyard Sessions with soundtracks to start the bank holiday weekend in style.

Proceedings begin at 5pm on Friday and 2pm on Saturday with an array of DJs, and both evenings will be seen out with a saxophonist.

And if the weather takes a turn for the worse, fret not, as the area is covered with blankets and heaters.

Free, call 01423 524471 to book, from 5pm on May 3 and 2pm on May 4, The West Park Hotel, 19 West Park, HG1 1BJ.

Admire the tulips at Constable Burton Hall & Gardens

The beauty of spring flowers blooming is always a sight to behold thanks to it signalling the start of a new season, and this year it seems particularly fitting as we keep hoping for warmer climes to be on their way.

See them in all of their glory at Constable Burton Hall & Gardens, Leyburn where it is showcasing more than 6,000 tulips planted throughout its formal and woodland gardens. Its lawn marquee will also host a display of cut blooms and there will also be expert advice on hand on how to care for your own garden arrangements.

Tickets in advance cost £5 for children aged three to 16 years old and £10 for adults, 10am-4pm, 4-6 May, Constable Burton Hall & Gardens, Leyburn, DL8 5LJ.

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Go to Henshaws Beer Festival

The annual Henshaws Beer Festival is back for 2024.

Visitors will get to enjoy live music across two stages, street food and family-friendly activities, along with a carefully curated selection of beers, wine, gins, ciders, and non-alcoholic drinks all crafted in Yorkshire.

There will also be an adult only evening session on the Saturday night.

Tickets in advance cost £5 for children aged three to 17 years old, £15 for adults. 12-5pm on Saturday daytime (family friendly), 6-11pm on Saturday evening (adults only), 12-6pm on Sunday (family friendly), May 4-5, Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, 50 Bond End, Knaresborough, HG5 9AL. 

Visit Sports Cars in the Park at Newby Hall

There will be many different models of sports cars at this event that returns this spring to Newby Hall on its 20th anniversary. It currently expects to see more than 1,350 display cars in attendance.

Not only can you admire the motors, but the ticket price also includes access to Newby Hall’s gardens, restaurant, adventure playground, dolls house and teddy bear exhibitions.

Under 4s free, tickets in advance cost £15 for children aged four to 15 years old, £18 for adults, 10am-3pm, May 5, Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon, HG4 5AE.

Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk

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5 things to do in Harrogate and the district this weekend

Head to Harrogate Spring Flower Show

Harrogate Spring Flower Show is back and is taking place this week from Thursday to Sunday. It is one of the most popular events in the area, attracting up to 90,000 visitors each year.

Get garden inspiration aplenty thanks to plant and floral nursery displays, gardens designs, talks and demonstrations. There will also be stalls selling everything you could possibly need to make your garden the sanctuary you’d like it to be – the perfect inspiration as we (hopefully and eventually) head into warmer climes.

From £25, 9.30am-5pm, April 25-28, Great Yorkshire Showground, HG2 8NZ.

Listen to live music at Three’s A Crowd

Elena May

Listen to the laid-back music of Elena May as you drink or dine at Three’s A Crowd this Friday. Or on Sunday enjoy a roast until 7pm all to the background of self-accompanied piano vocalist Beth Ibbotson, who will be playing a range of feel-good favourites.

Elena May, 8pm until late, April 26; Beth Ibbotson, 6pm-9pm, April 28. 11 West Park, HG1 1BL.

Beth Ibbotson

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Go to a personal styling event

Are you unsure of what to wear or what suits you and looking for new clothes? Then head to local personal stylist Anna Mewes, who is hosting an evening of styling and shopping and will be taking clients through the hottest trends for spring and summer.

This will be followed by a chance to shop the Mint Velvet collection in store with a glass of bubbles in hand.

£20, 6.30-8.30pm, April 25, Mint Velvet, 29-31 James Street, HG1 1QY.

Attend a local wine fair

Local independent wine merchants Ake & Humphris is putting on its annual spring wine fair this Sunday.

Simply pick up a tasting glass on arrival and work your way round the table where you can sample more than 50 styles that include floral whites, new champagnes, decadent reds, fruity rosés and natural wines, as well as spirits.

These include wines from new origins including Slovenia and Bulgaria, new grape varieties such as Zelen and Zibibbo, plus some prestigious bottlings by wineries including Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs and Elderton Estate from Barrossa, Australia, not forgetting spirits from local distillers, Noble Spring.

£25, 12-2pm, 3-5pm, 6-8pm, April 28, Balcony Sports Bar, Harrogate Cricket Ground, Saint George’s Road, HG2 9BP. Places are limited so visit the website to reserve your space. For over 18s only.

Go to a duo of choral concerts

Voces Seraphorum choir

Formed in 2015, chamber choir Voces Seraphorum performs regular concerts at cathedrals and churches. Singing in a variety of styles, this Saturday they will perform well-known choral masterpieces alongside some lesser-known songs all to the background of brass band Summerbridge & Dacre Silver Band at St James Church Birstwith on Saturday.

They will also be performing at St Michael & All Angels’ Church Beckwithshaw on Sunday but without the brass band.

From £12, 7pm, April 27, St James Church Birstwith, Lackon Bank, HG3 2NG. £10 per adult (children are free), 4pm, April 28, at St Michael & All Angels’ Church Beckwithshaw, 4 Otley Road, Beckwithshaw, HG3 1QW.

Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk

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5 alternative Easter activities in and around Harrogate

(Image above: a Frank Sinatra tribute act is performing on Easter Monday at Grantley Hall)

Easter has come early this year and there are some brilliant activities this weekend – see our 7 Easter activities to keep the kids entertained – but aside from this there are other goings-on in and around Harrogate; read on for inspiration aplenty…

Watch a Frank Sinatra tribute act at Grantley Hall

Listen to Phil Fryer belt out some of the most iconic Frank Sinatra songs of all time including My Way, Strangers In The Night and Come Fly With Me.

Dining during the performance is already fully booked for the event, but guests can sip drinks and enjoy the show in newly relaunched The Orchard’s lounge area where Phil will perform some of Frank’s biggest hits. Or you can always make a reservation to dine in Fletchers restaurant pre- or post-show instead.

Free, limited spaces available, first come, first serve, 1.30pm-3pm, April 1, Grantley Hall, Ripon, HG4 3ET.

Learn how to make pasta from scratch

Pixaby

If you’re walking or up in the Yorkshire Dales this Easter weekend and you fancy trying your hand at something a little bit different, why not take part in a pasta making workshop?

Keld resident Chris Giles demonstrates how you can make pasta from scratch using no specialist equipment. All ingredients are included, and afterwards you can savour the fruits of your labour with a hearty bowl of what you’ve cooked.

£30, March 31, 1-4pm, The Keld Resource Centre, Keld, Richmond, DL11 6LJ.

Take part in traditional Yorkshire Dales dancing 

Nidd Music and Dance

Did you know that there’s traditional music and dances that derive from Yorkshire Dales’ villages? Help to keep it alive by taking part in this event at Ripley Town Hall.

Each traditional Dales dance such as the Kendal Ghyll and the Huntsman’s Chorus is explained and walked through before you dance to them, all to the background of live folk music.

Free for children, £10 for adults, 6.30pm-10pm, March 30, Ripley Town Hall, HG3 3AX.

Visit Ripley Castle Markets

Ripley Castle Markets

Taking place on the last Sunday of every month from February to December, this month Ripley Castle Markets is holding a seasonal market. It will bring together more than 40 independent local artisans, producers and creatives to showcase their wares all to the backdrop of the Grade I listed building.

Goodies and treats that will be available include breads and cakes from Baltzersen’s, Skipton’s Antony’s Biltong, cookie boxes from Carlton Kitchen, cheeses from Wharfedale Fine Cheeses, plus something for your four-legged friends, as well as present ideas inspiration aplenty.

You can make a day of it too as on market day, the castle and grounds are free to visit. And there will be extra Easter activities including a bunny hunt, children’s craft activities – click here for more information – and guided tours of the castle.

Free, there’s an additional cost for the children’s craft activities and castle tours and pre-booking for these is advised, March 31, 10am-3pm, Ripley Castle, HG3 3AY.

Laugh out loud at a comedy show

Harrogate Theatre

If you’ve not yet been to one of the regular Hyena Lounge Comedy Club nights at Harrogate Theatre, this Saturday could be the opportune occasion as there’s a trio of brilliant stand-up comedians including Hal Cruttenden, Simon Evans and Jenny Hart, all led by the compere for the night, Danny McLoughlin.

From £20, 8pm, March 30, Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QF.

Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk

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