SITUATED south of the Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate is famed for its mineral spring water and visitors have flocked to this small town in the north of England as early as the 17th century to enjoy its medicinal properties. Its popularity hasn’t waned and its beautifully dominant Georgian architecture forms an allure for people wanting to visit a quintessential spa town. Bettys Tea Room remains an institution in the town, opened in 1919 and has extraordinary albeit well deserved fame.
Rudding Park, Harrogate
A shore drive from the town centre, Rudding Park is reached by a drive through the well-manicured grounds the hotel is surrounded within which allows a sense of privacy and seclusion. The main building is a Grade I listed Georgian hall to which an extensive extension has been made. Sympathetically constructed in sandstone, the hotel is situated within the new annex and accentuates its individuality through 90 individually styled bedrooms each with a pop of colour, bold printed wallpaper and furniture.
Rudding Park, Harrogate in summer
Rooms
We were lucky enough to stay in one of a few spa rooms which come with the option of either a sauna, steam room or spa bath, and we enjoyed the former as a great introduction of what was to come. Each of these rooms aptly come with a private garden overlooking the modern glass and sandstone spa.
Bedrooom at Rudding Park, Harrogate
Restaurant
Out of the two restaurants at Rudding Park, we opted for the six-course tasting menu at Horto – their contemporary restaurant within the spa wing, modern in setting, service and menu. Horto, Latin for garden kitchen, is led by Callum Bowmer and focuses on using herbs and vegetables seasonally grown in the gardens on site which is a welcome touch. Starting with garden tomatoes and walking our way through Cornish mackerel, scallop, turbot finishing off with Yuzu tart with local berries. The restaurant is full of personality and colour.
Spa at Rudding Park, Harrogate
Spa
The centrepiece for Rudding Park has to be the Spa. Architecturally different to that of the main hall and hotel, it stands out due to its gleaming modernism. Glass walls house the main swimming pool and juniper log sauna, supporting a roof-top garden with hydrotherapy infinity pool, panoramic sauna, steam room (with options for either a traditional mosaic domed steam room or herbal steam room from the Rudding Park garden such as lavender) and steam rooms. Earlier this year, the spa bolstered its reputation as an innovative destination by introducing oxygen therapy – by increasing the percentage of oxygen, health benefits include strengthening of one’s immune system along with being used to help prevent ageing.
The Time for Two, is a great way for privacy while enjoying the benefits of the spa and a treatment. A copper bath for two with champagne gives way to an hour treatment focusing on restoring well-being through balancing your chakras. The treatment specifically aims to address health issues through the lymphatic system, mama massage and light techniques.
Rudding Park Horto, John Dory
Restaurant at Rudding Park
Rudding Park strikes the delicate balance from having close to 100 rooms with an expansive (and popular spa) with a great sense of privacy, making it in our eyes a perfect destination for a UK break.
by Stephanie Clair
Rudding Park offers a Sleeping Beauty Spa Break from £193 per person which includes a one-night stay on a half-board basis, one 45 minute treatment from the Spa Day Treatment menu and access to the Roof Top Spa’s facilities including the Sunlight Therapy Room and the Oxygen Pod. Guests also have the option to add a CBD Experience to their existing spa treatment at a cost of £15 per person. To book visit the Rudding Park site or call 01423 844822.