In a fun new addition to the Sherlock Holmes Field we have a group of short stories very much in the Arthur Conan Doyle style. We start with the mystery of the Six-Thirteen train which appears at the end of the line with neither passenger nor the 3 members of staff that it departed from its last stop being on board. This is followed by the Theft of the Silver Buckle and the Von Strauffhausen papers theft. I personally listened to it on Audio book and the naration was very much on point. For the Sherlock Homes fan this is a nice addition to the genre with good plot twists and the cosy crime feel we have come to expect.

If you’re passionate about gin, then Harrogate is the perfect destination for your next getaway. Known for its elegance, charm, and rich history, Harrogate also boasts a vibrant gin culture, with local distilleries and gin-centric experiences that will delight your palate. Pair this with a luxurious stay at our hotel, and you’ve got the recipe for a truly unforgettable escape.
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Gin originated as a medicinal tonic, and its unique flavour, derived from juniper berries and a variety of botanicals, offers endless possibilities for creative drinks. Harrogate’s gin scene is thriving, with local distilleries and events celebrating the spirit’s versatility and heritage.    Why not uncover the secrets behind this popular spirit with a Gin Experience or Distillery Tour? 
 
Harrogate Tipple Gin School
The Distillery, Main Street, Ripley, Harrogate, England, HG3 3AY

Sample Harrogate Tipple’s award-winning spirits whilst creating and distilling your bespoke recipe in one of their beautiful miniature copper stills, before taking your very own bottle home with you.

This three-hour experience allows you to immerse yourself in the gin-making experience while drinking a range of gin and tonics (so please leave the car in the hotel car park and take a taxi)

Start off in the Harrogate Tipple Distillery for a quick tour and see their beautiful copper stills.  Following the tour  you will create a personal recipe for your very own gin in the Gin School. To create your perfect gin, you can choose from over 80 dried and over 60 seasonal fresh botanicals ready to be picked from the range in the courtyard.

Sample it, bottle it and take it home! Harrogate Tipple will then keep your recipe safe so you can reorder it in the future.  Find out more about the Gin School here:  Gin School - Harrogate Tipple
 
Slingsby Gin – Gin Experiences and Gin Tastings in their Harrogate Store
Spirit of Harrogate, Montpellier Quarter, Harrogate

Slingsby Gin is crafted using 24 carefully selected botanicals, including hand-grown local plants from the Rudding Park Hotel kitchen garden in Harrogate and fruits from local Yorkshire suppliers.   They have a fabulous store in Harrogate, close to Bettys Tea Rooms from which you can taste a wide range of gins, including experimental recipes, and purchase their award-winning gins.  We highly recommend the Rhubarb gin though all their products are excellent. 

Slingsby also offers gin experiences where you can create your own recipe for bespoke gin.  They offer both private party sessions and open sessions.  Check out the experiences here: 
Experiences | Spirit of Harrogate
 
Masons Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience
Masons Distillery, Trinity Place, Conygarth Way, Leeming Bar, DL7 9EE

Discover the passion and commitment that goes into producing Masons’ award-winning gins. Learn the art of distilling, including the process from still to glass, and enjoy a guided tasting.

Based in the fabulous Bedale area, this distillery was almost destroyed in a devasting fire a few years ago and has risen, literally, from the ashes. Their gins are stocked widely across the UK, and they offer gin tours and tastings at their lovely new distillery.   They are located in a beautiful area of Bedale and it is well worth a visit just for the location alone.  Add in their delicious gin, and you have a day out that is sure to please.    They offer a wide range of flavoured gins with the Pear and Pink Peppercorn being one of their most popular.

The drive from The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages in Harrogate to this distillery is beautiful, taking you through the Yorkshire Dales scenery, and the gin itself is well worth the trip.  Find out more about Mason’s and the Gin tours here:  https://www.masonsofyorkshire.com/pages/gin-experiences
 
Whittakers Gin Distillery Tour
Harewell House Farm, Dacre Banks, Harrogate, HG3 4HQ

A Whittaker’s Distillery Tour is your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at a working distillery producing internationally award-winning gins and now whisky.  Distillery tours take place on Thursdays at 1.30 pm, as well as both Friday and Saturday at 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm.  You can find out more and book your tour here:  https://www.whittakersgin.com/pages/distillery-tours

Dacre Banks is a charming village around 20 minutes drive from central Harrogate and it is well worth a visit.  The drive to this distillery takes you through stunning Dales countryside and a variety of beautiful villages.  We also recommend a visit to nearby Pateley Bridge following your gin tour, where you can wander down the old shopping streets and visit the local artisan businesses. 
 
Gin and Rum Festival.  Leeds – 12 July 2025
Royal Armouries, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT

Whether you’re new to the gin and rum scene, or a keen enthusiast who’s looking to expand their horizons, this event has got you covered! With over 120 different spirits for you to try, you’re guaranteed to find your new obsession.

Discover new favourites with samples from hand-picked award-winning guest distillers, and indulge at the themed Gin, Rum, and tequila bar, all whilst enjoying tunes from the DJ and a fan-favourite live acoustic band. 

The Royal Armouries is accessible by train and bus.  The Camberley, The Lodge and  The Camberley Cottages are centrally located and just a ten-minute walk from the Harrogate Train station. From there you can catch a train to Leeds and then the 444 line bus directly to the Royal Armouries, allowing you to make the most of all those delightful samples. 
You can find out more and book your tickets for the Festival, here:
Gin & Rum Festival - Leeds - 2025 Tickets, Leeds | Eventbrite
 
Don’t forget to also book your stay with us.  If you book direct you get a wider choice of room options, allowing you to tailor your perfect getaway. 

After a day of sipping and savouring, return to the comfort of our Harrogate hotel, or to Camberley Cottages, and either curl up in your room to savour the gins you have purchased, or go out into Harrogate to visit one of our stylish bars and restaurants where expert mixologists craft creative cocktails or create the classic G&T with a Yorkshire twist.  We highly recommend Yorkshire Tapas if you are planning to visit Spirit of Harrogate.  Yorkshire Tapas is almost next door to Spirit and their food is renowned across Yorkshire.  If you don’t fancy tapas, Harrogate has many delightful places to eat and drink so you will be spoiled for choice. 

Here at The Camberley, , The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, we can provide recommendations based on your preferred cuisine or, perhaps you might like to check out our blogs which list some of the eating establishments which are particularly popular with local diners. 

Whether you’re a seasoned gin connoisseur or a curious newcomer, Harrogate offers an incredible array of gin-related experiences that cater to every taste. Combine that with our hotel’s impeccable service and central location, and you have the ultimate destination for a gin-inspired escape.

Book your stay today and raise a glass to adventure, flavour, and Yorkshire’s gin-making excellence!

For reservations, call 07792 505910 or email us at [email protected]

Bonnie Macbird returns with her next installment in the Sherlock Holmes books with this 3 Lock problem. Bonnie has always written as if they found a box of previously unpublished tails by Watson which she is now bringing to light. It is in the traditional Arthur Style and the Homes Watson team return to our pages with Holmes facing a period of inactivity which we all know is no good for him. However our beloved investigators are shortly pulled into not 1 but 3 Lock related mysterys. Puzzel number 1 is a cunning puzzel box left to Watson by his deseased mother - this reveals some of Watsons past and relationship to his siblings. Puzzel 2 is related to the magic entertainment industry and the 3rd to the affair of a girl missing in Oxford and the various tangles surrounding her. All in all well written and also avaliable on Audible.

When you stay in a hotel or self-catering cottage, one of the things which can really enhance your experience is the toiletries that are provided during your stay.  We use Land and Water at The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, and local company H2K at The Camberley Hotel.  We firmly believe in offering our guests the very best, and that includes the products we choose to enhance their stay.
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We searched extensively before settling on Land and Water and H2K, choosing these brands for their commitment to sustainability, quality, and ethical practices.  Both are smaller businesses, one based in Cornwall, the other in Harrogate itself. 

Both companies pride themselves on creating products that are both luxurious and environmentally friendly.  Every ingredient used in their products is sustainably sourced, ensuring minimal impact on the environment. They prioritize natural and ethically sourced ingredients, so you can trust that their products are free from harmful chemicals and kind to your skin and the planet. Their products are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free too. 

H2K packaging is fully biodegradable.  Even their packaging peanuts are made from biodegradable corn starch.  Both H2K and Land and Water offer containers that can be refilled, allowing us to reduce the amount of plastic waste the hotels produce each year. 

Just as important is the efficacy and overall experience provided by both brands.  With a range of delightful, natural scents, whichever you choose, you will be enveloped in softness and stunning scents, whether you are merely washing your hands, taking a shower, or indulging in a long soak in the tub. 

If your idea of bliss is a long soak in the tub then check out our fabulous room 10 which boasts a stunning copper slipper bath, perfect for a relaxing soak after a day out exploring the local area.  Land and Water body oils can also be used for a soothing massage too.  Perfect for couples on a romantic getaway.  All of these products will leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated. 

Land & Water’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials are impressive. They are committed to reducing their carbon footprint through sustainable sourcing and production practices. Their packaging is designed to be eco-friendly, and ethical sourcing ensures fair practices, supporting communities involved in the production process.

H2K are also committed to reducing their carbon footprint and additionally partner with environmental organizations and support initiatives aimed at conserving natural habitats, reducing pollution, and protecting biodiversity.

Both companies are more than just suppliers.  They are our partners in providing a memorable and sustainable experience for guests.  We are very proud to feature the products of both organisations and look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come. 

We look forward to welcoming you to our Hotels and self-catering cottages so you can try out these fabulous products for yourself.  We are sure you will love them as much as we do.  You can check out the whole Land and Water Range here:  https://land-and-water.co.uk/

And the H2K range here: https://www.h2kbotanicals.com/

And of course, when you come to stay with us at The Camberley, if you love the scent and feel of the H2K products, you only have a ten-minute walk to the shop where you can purchase your favourite products to take home with you and recreate the luxury of your stay with us, in your own home, until you are ready to return to stay with us again.