redhotchick Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I have been wanting to visit the Turkish Baths at Harrogate for years and have booked to go this Sunday with some friends. We are booked into the 12 o'clock session and I'm thinking (but need to check with my friends) that we could also have a picnic at Brimham Rocks and a Visit to Ripon Cathedral for the Choral Evensong before driving back to Liverpool. Can anyone advise me if these would be worthwhile? and perhaps some alternatives? Harlow Carr and Betty's Tea Rooms are also on my "possible" list but I don't want to add to my friend's costs and would need persuading that my above itinerary should be changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Harlow Carr and Betty''s are well worth a visit. So is Evensong at Ripon..........and I'm not religious at all. It is beautiful to hear. Him Indoors and I went last year, oddly as a pre dinner thingy to which we had been invited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 ive never been to brimham rocks, but ive heard its rather nice cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 I've never been to Evensong anywhere, and one of my friend's is from Malaysia, so hopefully a cultural experience she would enjoy. I'd love to go and I'm hoping to be able to persuade them that it will be worthwhile (I'm not sure what their timescales for the day are) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Brimham Rocks are (is?) lovely, it's years since I've been but well worth a visit. If it's raining though it might not be so great. Harlow Carr is also good but not ideal if the weather is going to be a bit iffy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Hmmmm. We are planning on taking a picnic/coolbox. I can see us eating in the car if the weather is poor. Any better ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 As someone who has been to the Turkish baths a few times, I would say plan something gentle and not too energetic afterwards. Even though you just basically sit in the steam and jump in and out of the plunge pool, it seems to take a lot of energy . Betty's in Harrogate is very very near the Baths. You could call in there for a cuppa afterwards and then drive on to ripon for evensong. What time does the service start at Ripon. You say you are booked in at 12 at the baths? My friend and I are usually 2 hours, sometimes 3 in there, as you lay on the beds at the end to let your temperature go back to normal. If you rush out, you won't feel well. I can't remember where brimham rocks are, but if the weather is nice and the evenings are so light, maybe you could go there after the church? Just some ideas, hope my waffle has helped a bit . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Brimham isn't an energetic hike but may not be the best thing after the baths. It is lovely though - one of our favourites for a picnic, not too long a walk with a conveniently placed ice cream shop at the end of it. It does get busy on sunny days though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Hubby is originally from Harrogate, his dad was manager of the Turkish Baths and hubby's first job was a Baths assistant - bit different from your usual Saturday job. He used to get free massages and use of all the facilities. I've never been though. I like the Valley Gardens which are just around the corner from the Baths, you could go for a relaxed stroll around them. It's only back up the hill then to Betty's, another place I've only ever looked through the window of, it's a bit pricey for us. I've just found I've got some photos of Brimham Rocks taken a few years ago, it was one of the first places my soon-to-be husband took me. http://www.flickr.com/photos/38414829@N06/with/3530209591/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 I thought the itinerary would go something like this... 11.00 Arrive Harrowgate. Have something light to eat. 12.00 til 14.30 Turkish Baths 14.30 Drive to Brimham. Not really looking to do a hike, more like an interesting picnic spot, and to fill in a bit of time before Evensong. 16.45 Drive to Ripon 17.30 Evensong at the Cathedral til 18.15 Get home for about half 8. I've a horrible feeling one of my friends may be working on Sunday night The Turkish Baths is the real point of the journey though. Valley Gardens could be a good alternative if we have less time, thanks for that PurpleTree, and for the photos of Brimham. I'm excited! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 I just got back. Had a lovely day out. Enjoyed the Turkish baths very much. I would like to extend the session by having a treatment if I ever get there again. We skipped Brimham as it was raining, but had a nice cuppatea in a hotel by Ripon Cathedral, ate our picnic in the car and had a mooch round the Cathedral, heard some of the Evensong, didn't stay for it all. Very nice though. We did rainbow spotting on the way home. Saw quite a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
