Harrogate is the place to be in the summer.  From cultural events to agricultural shows, the town has it all and The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages are centrally located, opposite the Conference Centre and just a five-minute walk from the Royal Hall, with Harrogate Theatre only a ten-minute walk away.  We provide the perfect base for exploring the area and attending any of the exciting events listed below.

Where better to start our review of What’s On than with one of Harrogate’s most famous events, our County Show.

Great Yorkshire Show – 8 – 11 July 2025
Great Yorkshire Showground, Wetherby Road, Harrogate
This annual agricultural event features the best of British farming, food, and countryside.  Expect animal shows, machinery displays, and entertainment.  There is lots to see and do at the show, and there are plenty of opportunities to shop, sample local produce, listen to music and watch the competitions and events.  You can find out more here. 

This hugely popular event increases traffic around Harrogate.  Our recommendation is to use the shuttle buses which run from Harrogate Bus Station (a ten-minute walk from The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages).  The shuttles run every ten minutes and are the most relaxing way to gain access to the showground. 

If you prefer your entertainment indoors, why not check out the Crime Writing Festival?
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Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 17 – 20 July 2025
The Old Swan Hotel, Swan Road, Harrogate
This celebration of crime writing features authors, discussions, and social events.  To find out more, check out our dedicated blog on the subject.

If tales of miscreants are not your thing,  perhaps you would prefer the thrill of classical music, a Shakespeare play, presented outdoors in a charming location, or some intellectual stimulation?  Harrogate offers these too.

HACS Harrogate Music Festival – June and July 2025
Various Locations
Run by Harrogate International Festivals, this wide-ranging event features performances ranging from classical to more modern music together with speakers, a silent disco and a performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream held outdoors at Royal Horticultural Society Gardens Harlow Carr.  You can find out all about the festival, and book your tickets, here.
 
Berwins Salon North – June – September 2025
Various Locations
If you are an intellectually curious person who wonders about the world around you and seeks to learn more and make sense of things, then Berwins Salon North is the event for you. Each theme evening features a fascinating speaker or panel of speakers, discussing topics designed to excite your curiosity.  You can find out more here.
 
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. 14 June 2025
Royal Hall, Ripon Road, Harrogate
This stunning venue has excellent acoustics and this fabulous tribute act are well worth seeing.   
 
Lindisfarne – 27 June 2025
Harrogate Theatre
Tyneside folk-rock pioneers Lindisfarne return with a series of UK concerts presented by a classic five-piece line up of long-time members, fronted by original founder-member Rod Clements on vocals, mandolin, fiddle and slide guitar.  With a repertoire of unforgettable songs and a reputation for live performance second to none, Lindisfarne’s power to galvanise festival and concert audiences remains undimmed and is guaranteed to get you on your feet and singing along.
 
Contemporary Music at Harrogate Theatre
The Rocket Man is the world’s favourite celebration of Elton John’s music. No one else recreates the flamboyant megastar with as much vigour and brilliance.  The Rocket Man will be playing on 4 July 2025.

Later in the month, and for those who like their music louder and heavier, get out your leathers, dust off that denim jacket, and rock out to Nothing but a Good Time: The Rock Anthems Show.  This fabulous group will play hits from Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, Guns N Roses and many more.  You won’t want to miss this concert which takes place on 12 July. 

For Dire Straits fans, you won’t want to miss 17 July when Money For Nothing plays at the Theatre. Prepare to be captivated by the authentic sounds of one of the most successful rock bands of all time. Meticulous attention is paid to every detail, to faithfully recreate the distinct sound of Dire Straits.

You can check out all the concerts, and book your tickets, here.    Don’t forget to pop back to the website and book your accommodation at The Camberley, The Lodge or Camberley Cottages.  We are just a short walk from both the Theatre and Royal Hall.  Ideally located, close to a number of great restaurants and bars where you can get a pre-event meal too.  Don’t forget, if you book direct you can choose your room with us.  Just click here to book your stay. 

First Direct Arena, Leeds
Harrogate is also the ideal place to stay if you are looking to attend an event at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.  There are frequent buses and trains into Leeds and the stations are just a ten-minute walk away from The Cottages and Bed and Breakfast.  If you are travelling by car, the journey is around 30 – 40 minutes depending on traffic, and there is a multi-storey car park opposite the venue, which is safe and secure.  If you arrive at 6pm or later, there is a special Event parking rate available. 

Musical highlights at the arena include Billy Ocean on 21 June, the legendary Diana Ross on 28 June, Deacon Blue on 23 September and Simply Red on 26 September.  You will be spoiled for choice. 

If you are looking for a good laugh, there are plenty of comedians playing at the arena, with Greg Davies appearing on 20 June, Ricky Gervais on 26 June and John Bishop on 11 and 12 October.  You can check out all the artists and events at the Arena, here.

In July, Harrogate will host one of the most prestigious events on the crime fiction calendar: the 2025 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.  Taking place between 17 and 20 July, the festival offers the opportunity for fans of crime fiction to engage with the authors they love, discover new authors and even try their hand at writing themselves.  

This year’s festival boasts an impressive lineup of guests.  Irvine Welsh will be making his festival debut, delving into Resolution, the final instalment of his 'Crime' trilogy, now adapted into a hit TV series starring Dougray Scott. 

Lee and Andrew Child, authors of the acclaimed Jack Reacher series will discuss their latest thriller, In Too Deep, and provide an exclusive preview of Exit Strategy, the 30th Reacher novel set for publication in November. 

Attica Locke will showcase her hard-hitting novel, Guide Me Home, offering a nuanced exploration of contemporary societal themes.  And Festival regular Val McDermid will be teaming up with TV presenter Steph McGovern, who will launch her debut novel, Deadline, at the event. 

Kate Atkinson fans will be thrilled to learn that she will be discussing her latest Jackson Brodie novel, At the Sign of the Rook, with Lee Child.  

Mark Billingham, Kate Mosse, and Paula Hawkins will also return to the festival, showcasing their latest bestsellers.   

In addition to talks, the festival also offers a wide range of other literary events, including Creative Thursday, during which aspiring writers can participate in a full day of creative writing workshops led by industry professionals, providing invaluable insights into the craft of crime writing. 

There will also be Panel Discussions in which contemporary issues in crime fiction are discussed. For those who love both reading and fine dining, the festival includes a number of Author Dinners, where your favourite authors discuss their work over dinner.  

Tickets for the various events do tend to sell out very quickly, so it is well worth booking early to avoid disappointment.  You can check out all the events, and book your tickets, here.

The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages are often busy during the Crime Writing Festival, which always attracts a lot of visitors to the town, so it’s definitely worthwhile booking your room with us as soon as you have purchased your tickets for the Festival events.   Booking direct with us will allow you to choose the room you prefer.  Whether you prefer the convenience of Bed and Breakfast or the flexibility of self-catering, here at The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, we have something for everyone.  

Attending the festival also presents the perfect opportunity to explore Harrogate, a town renowned for its elegant architecture, lush gardens, and rich history.  The festival venue, The Old Swan Hotel, is famously associated with Agatha Christie's mysterious disappearance in 1926 and is just a short walk from The Camberley.  

Following your Festival visit, why not stretch your legs in the nearby Valley Gardens, relax and unwind in the renowned Turkish Baths, or book afternoon tea at the famous Bettys Café Tea Rooms, renowned for its delicious cakes and elegant setting?

Whatever you choose to do, The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages provide a comfortable base from which to explore.  Situated close to a range of restaurants and café-bars, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out, before returning to your comfortable room and a well-deserved rest after the excitement of the day.

Whether you're a devoted crime fiction aficionado or simply seeking a unique summer experience, staying at The Camberley,  The Lodge or Camberley Cottages in July offers the perfect setting for a relaxing break.