There’s something really special about Harrogate at Christmas. As the festive season draws near, our elegant spa town sparkles with twinkling lights, welcoming shops, and a joyful atmosphere that captures the very essence of a traditional English Christmas. Suppose you’re looking for the perfect destination for a Christmas shopping weekend. In that case, Harrogate has everything you could wish for — and The Camberley, The Lodge or Camberley Cottages are the ideal base for your stay.

The Harrogate Christmas Market
No Christmas shopping weekend would be complete without a visit to the Harrogate Christmas Market. The market brings together a vibrant collection of local traders, artisans, and food producers. Wooden chalets line the streets, selling everything from handcrafted decorations and festive candles to Yorkshire cheeses, mulled wine, and mince pies.   Find out more here.  

As you stroll through the market, the atmosphere feels straight out of a Christmas card. It’s the perfect place to find unique gifts and soak up the festive cheer.  Just a short walk from The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, the market runs from 5 to 24 December. Don’t miss the traditional fairground rides, and spectacular Ferris Wheel, too.  

Travelling around the town is easy at this time of year.  Just catch the Candy Cane Express – a free-to-ride road train that takes you through the heart of Harrogate, passing by key festive spots such as Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent. The Fayre’s central location makes it easy to combine your visit with a spot of Christmas shopping in Harrogate’s high street favourites and charming independent stores.

Wander along James Street and Montpellier Quarter to discover stylish fashion, fine jewellery, artisan gifts, and local crafts. From chic homewares to luxurious beauty products, you’ll find thoughtful presents for everyone on your list — and perhaps a treat or two for yourself.

Step inside the charming Westminster Arcade or wander through the delightful Montpellier Mews, where festive window displays glow invitingly. Shopping in Harrogate feels relaxed and personal, with friendly shopkeepers always happy to help you find that perfect gift.

Festive Food and Drink
When it’s time to rest your shopping bags, you will be spoiled for choice.  Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the town’s independent cafés, where you can warm up with hearty soups, homemade cakes, and locally roasted coffee. For an indulgent treat, the world-famous Bettys Café Tea Rooms offers a truly festive experience, with delicate pastries, mince pies, and steaming pots of tea served in elegant surroundings.

In the evening, there’s something for every taste, whether you fancy fine dining, modern British cuisine, or comforting pub fare by a roaring fire. Many venues feature seasonal menus showcasing Yorkshire’s finest produce — the perfect way to celebrate the season.

Winter Walks and Dazzling Lights
Beyond the shops and restaurants, Harrogate is a beautiful place for a winter walk. The town’s famous Stray — 200 acres of open parkland — is ideal for a bracing stroll on a crisp December morning. The Valley Gardens is another gem, where tree-lined paths, plants and historic pavilions look enchanting under a dusting of frost.  The Valley Gardens are just a short walk from The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages too. 

As evening falls, the town transforms into a wonderland of lights. The trees lining the Stray shimmer with fairy lights, while elegant displays illuminate Harrogate’s grand architecture.

After a day of shopping, dining, and exploring, return to the warmth and comfort of our guest houses. You can unwind in a welcoming room, enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep, and wake to a delicious home-cooked breakfast before heading out for another day of festive discovery.
​
After a day spent exploring and soaking up the festive atmosphere, return to the warmth and comfort of The Camberley, The Lodge, or Camberley Cottages. With their welcoming rooms, convenient locations, and home-from-home feel, they’re the perfect places to unwind during your Christmas visit to Harrogate.  Check out the rooms here, and don’t forget, it’s easier to book direct with us to ensure you get the room you really want, whether you want a room with a huge shower, or one with a slipper bath. All our rooms are en-suite, and there’s one to suit everyone.  Alternatively, why not book one of our cosy cottages?  They make a delightful base from which to explore all that the town and wider area has to offer. 

The Mystery of the Blue Train – Agatha Christie
In true Agatha style we join our cast of suspects on The Blue train to the South of France. One of our key cast members the American Millionaire Van Aldin is purchasing a valuable Ruby necklace for his beloved daughter Ruth. Ruth is finally convinced to go for a divorce from her husband who is blatantly having an affair – mind you so is Ruth.
Ruth is found murdered in her carriage and her jewel case has been taken – however was she murdered for her fabulous collection of jewellery or other reasons?
Our cast is Katherine Grey who having recently inherited money is enjoying a holiday, Ada Mason Ruth’s personal maid but she hasn’t been with her mistress long, Richard Knighton Van Alden’s new secretary, Armand the Comte De La Roche a slippery customer and serial defrauder of rich women, Mirelle the mistress of the deceased with her eye always to the main chance, Derek Kettering land rich and money poor English Aristocrat who would gain all his wife’s money if she were to die before the divorce.
This book was published just after her divorce from Archie Christie and she states in her autobiography it was a difficult one to write with immense pressure from her publishers despite not being in a great mental heath space to write. Some of the material comes from a short story she had previously published called the Plymouth Express but was reworked with a different location and a much larger cast of characters. It is also possible that Agatha travelled on the Blue train in 1926 or when she visited her sister in Corsica though she doesn’t specifically say so.
The Blue train is also the first mention of the Village of St Mary Mead which is where Miss Marple comes from.

The Body in the Library brings us back to the Village of St Mary Mead home of one of Agatha’s most iconic characters Miss Marple.  We arrive to Arthur and Dolly Bantry being awoken by the housemaid who has found a dead body in the Library – these are recuring characters in St Mary Mead and old friends of Miss Marple. Dolly on confirming the situation gets Miss Marple straight on the case.
The Girl is traced back to The Majestic Hotel Danemouth which is on the boarder between 2 police forces. Shortly after a 2nd body also of a young girl is found in the burnt out car of one of the other guests and with everything pointing back to the Majestic hotel the police turn their focus there.
However is the focus Josie Turner the cousin who got her down there? The flamboyant film man Basil Blake who was seen with Ruby previously, Mark Gaskell the heir who was looking to be pushed out by this new girl or his sister in law Adelaide who wanted money to support her young son. Or what is the tie in with George Bartlett the owner of the car who was also keen on Ruby.
In Agatha’s typical style there are many twists and turns – who is Dinah Lee yet another Platimum blond – will she be next? What did the girl guide see? Mr Jefferson was disabled in a wheelchair but how much power does it take to strangle a girl?
So how do the pieces, motives and alibies fit together? Or more importantly fall apart?

The body in the library was published in 1942 when the war was still on inspiring Agatha to give her readers an escape to the sea side with this adventure. Agatha was well aquainted with Devon having spent much of her life there and while staying in a hotel one summer she encountered a family with an older wheelchair bound gentleman inspiring the Jefferson family.

​Harrogate in autumn makes a great central base from which to explore the beauty of the autumn landscapes, whether you stay close to the guest house and take in the beauty of the Valley Gardens and the bustling town as it gears up for winter, or you choose to take a drive through the Dales, to soak up the beauty of the hills and valleys, perhaps stopping for coffee in one of the villages. 

One sight you won’t want to miss in the autumn is the stunning Thorp Perrow Arboretum.  Nestled near Bedale in North Yorkshire, this 100-acre arboretum is home to a nationally significant collection of trees and champion specimens, all beautifully framed by autumn’s rich colours.  Thorp Perrow makes an ideal day-trip.  There are stunning nature walks and a number of workshops and information walks are available – Dates and events vary so do check them out before you book your stay with us.  You can find out more about the Arboretum, and its events, here.  
 
The Arboretum is also home to a Bird of Prey and Mammal Centre with Bird of Prey flying displays arranged regularly.  It's definitely worth timing your visit to coincide with one of these displays, as the sight of these majestic birds in flight is truly awe-inspiring. 

You may also enjoy one of the guided walks, which range from Fungus Forays to winter walks where snow or frost allow the structure and bark of the trees to be showcased in ways that delight and inspire. 

There is a lovely café at the entrance to the Arboretum which serves excellent coffee and snacks.  The outdoor seating overlooks the Arboretum, and birds often come down onto the tables and walls in search of crumbs. 

 For those who love to run, Thorp Perrow Parkrun is held just outside the Arboretum, every Saturday.  It’s a stunning one-lap course, though it can get very muddy so we recommend tying your shoelaces very tightly before setting off.   Parking is at the Arboretum and the run is very well signposted from there.  The course runs across agricultural land and the run director will recommend that you avoid the Killer Sheep en-route.  They are less dangerous for their teeth, and more for their alarming tendency to rush across in front of you if startled. 

Harrogate is about a 40 – 60 minute drive from Thorp Perrow. It offers a splendid base for visitors wanting both comfort and culture as well as easy access to a wide range of eating establishments within an easy walk of The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages.  After a day in the Arboretum—walking, attending workshops or trails—having somewhere comfortable to return to makes the trip more relaxing.

For those who love to visit gardens, you are spoilt for choice in the Harrogate area.  Just a few minutes walk from The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, lies the Valley Gardens.  Well worth a walk through the formal gardens and up into the pine woods (up a very steep hill it has to be said). 

Harrogate is also home to RHS Harlow Carr Gardens which is within walking distance of The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, for those who are keen walkers.  If you prefer a more leisurely approach to the RHS gardens, a short drive out of Harrogate on the Otley Road will bring you to the gardens.  There is plenty of car parking available and a branch of Bettys Tea Rooms is on site too. 

If you are planning to visit Harrogate in November or December, you should definitely plan to visit Glow at RHS Harlow Carr.  This event is always extremely popular.  It takes place as darkness falls on the gardens and the plants and trees are lit up with coloured lights, there are fields of lights, and last year there were bubbles too.  Every year, it is different, and it’s well worth the entry fee.  Bettys have a pop-up tea room in the gardens where you can get hot chocolate, cakes and mince pies to warm up midway around your tour of the gardens.  Highly popular with local residents, you can book your ticket here, and it runs from 19 November to 23 December 2025. 

Staying at The Camberley, The Lodge or Camberley Cottages enhances your stay.  Expect comfort, luxurious rooms, an excellent Breakfast (if staying at The Camberley) and access to a wide range of cultural and dining experiences.  Why not check out some of our other blogs to get ideas for what to do and where to eat. 

Once you’ve chosen your outings, and booked any workshops or events, pop back and book your room.  If you book direct, you can be sure of the best prices and your choice of room (subject to availability).  You can view all the rooms here and book your stay here.

The scene of the crime for Evil under the Sun is the Jolly Roger Hotel on Smugglers Island off the coast of Devon. So to a certain extent this is a locked room mystery with our cast of characters all on an island with the only access over a private causeway. Our cast is the glamorous actress Arlena Marshal, her husband Captain Marshall and his teenage daughter Linda. Further cast members are Patrick Redfern & his wife Christine, Poirot, Emily Brewster, Rev. Stephen Lane who has a mania about sin, Horace Blatt a loud mouth with no real reason to be there, Rosamund Darnley previous Beau of Marshall and the owner of the hotel Mrs Castle.
The location setting was based off the real island of Burgh off the Devon coast  which was a popular holiday resort in the 1930’s. This was one of the first Christie novels brought to our screen in 1981 with an all star cast including Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, James Mason and  Roddy McDowall.
So our story starts with Arlena arriving on the island and immediately turning the head of married Patrick Redfern with our full cast of characters seeing the triangle form. Soon after she is found murdered but was it the jealous husband? The vengeful lover? His wife? A priest with a religious mania? Stepdaughter who never liked he? Or was it a random stranger?

For those long time fans of Agatha Christie – who love a twist, a locked room situation and a murder who’s every possibility hinges on timings and possibilities this is the book for you.

​
​Harrogate is famed for its elegant spa-town architecture, Victorian history, and relaxing springs — but when the sun sets and the autumn chill creeps in, another side of this beautiful town quietly comes alive. For lovers of the paranormal, Harrogate offers more than just foliage and pumpkin spiced lattes: ghost stories, eerie tours, and spine-tingling events await. The Camberley, The Lodge or Camberley Cottages, are centrally located and whilst we don’t have any ghosts of our own (that we know of anyway), we do provide the ideal place to stay as you explore the spookier side of the Harrogate district. 

The Harrogate Ghost Walk
With Five Stars on TripAdvisor and priced at a very affordable £8, you won’t want to miss the Harrogate Ghost Walk.  It’s led by paranormal enthusiast Paul Forster, and this award-winning walk winds through Harrogate’s historic streets, sharing tales of apparitions, strange noises, poltergeists, and phantom figures alongside lesser-known local history too.   The walk takes place on the first and last Friday of each month and you can find out more and book your tickets, here.  

Paul has also written a book, Haunted Harrogate, which includes even more ghostly goings on and makes the perfect memento of your trip to Harrogate. 

The Halloween Ghost Walks are taking place on 24 and 31 October this year and are well worth booking.

Harrogate has such a long and colourful history, and a wide range of period buildings so it is no wonder that visitors have reported strange encounters.  Observers have described phenomena as diverse as hearing footsteps in empty corridors, seeing fog-like shapes, or feeling sudden chills when no draft seems to account for them.

Ashville College, a local private school, has a ghostly “Green Lady” who haunts the clock tower and is believed to be a nursing sister, whilst The Harrogate Theatre is haunted by an apparition known as "Alice” whose appearance is sometimes associated with the scent of peppermints and a sudden chill falling over a person as she passes by.

Harrogate gives you everything for a ghostly getaway and, of course, the combination of walks and after-dark events gives you time to enjoy the town’s cafés, gardens and spa heritage by day, and its supernatural stories by night.

By day, you can expect stunning autumn colours, particularly in the Valley Gardens and RHS Harlow Carr, but also, the Stray is surrounded by trees and boasts a beautiful cherry walk too.  As the light starts to fade, and night draws in, the trees on the Stray twinkle with thousands of lights.  Mists are not unheard of, and add to the Halloween ambience.  As you walk around Harrogate, lights from the trees and shops cast a glow that is diffused by the mist in a very spooky manner. 

We do recommend booking ahead, particularly if you plan to take part in the Ghost Walk, which often sells out, particularly around Halloween.  Once you have your tickets, it's time to book your cosy room.

On arrival, you can expect a warm welcome and the chance to order your breakfast (The Camberley only) before getting settled in.  With plenty of options for eating out, you will be spoilt for choice.  We have some suggestions on our blog for great places to eat. 

After a day exploring the streets, shops and attractions of Harrogate, and perhaps a sneaky Pumpkin Spice Latte, it's time to eat, and then wander amongst the buildings of Harrogate to see who, or what, might appear out of the darkness. 

This is Yorkshire, so we do recommend warm clothing and sturdy shoes if you plan to do the Ghost Walk, or indeed take a midnight wander to see what might appear.  You may want to bring a small torch, or use your phone torch, particularly if you plan to explore areas that may be dimly lit. 
​
The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, are all within easy walking distance of the Ghost Walk starting points so they are the perfect base for your spooky stay.  So bring that volume of Ghost Stories that you’ve been meaning to read, or buy the Haunted Harrogate book, and after your ghost tour has ended, return to your room, and read until you’ve scared yourself silly.  All our rooms are very well lit, if you need them to be…. But we are sure you won’t need to sleep with the light on… will you?