Harrogate: A Historic Haven with a Quirky Twist

When people think of Harrogate, they picture elegant architecture, soothing spa waters, and genteel afternoon teas. But did you know this lovely town also has a few secrets up its sleeve?

Discover the Curious Side of Harrogate.  Our town has an intriguing history.  Here at The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, we love sharing the hidden stories of Harrogate with our guests. Whether you're a history buff, a trivia lover, or just enjoy a good tale, these fascinating local facts add a fun twist to your stay.

So, pop the kettle on and settle in—we're taking you on a tour of Harrogate’s quirky side.
 
A Hidden Railway Tunnel Beneath Your Feet
Beneath Langcliffe Avenue, a little-known piece of Harrogate’s railway past lies dormant: the Brunswick Tunnel. This hidden, curved railway tunnel once ran to a former terminus station, predating the construction of the Knaresborough Viaduct and running underneath Trinity Church.

During the Second World War, the tunnel found a new lease of life—repurposed as a bomb shelter to protect locals during air raids. Today, it’s sealed and silent, but its story lingers just beneath the surface.  You won’t see it on a typical tourist map, but knowing it’s there adds an extra layer of intrigue to your walk through the area.
 
Harrogate and the Mystery of Agatha Christie
In 1926, the “Queen of Crime” Agatha Christie vanished for 11 days, sparking a nationwide manhunt. Where did she turn up? Harrogate. She was discovered staying under an assumed name at the Swan Hotel (now The Old Swan), reportedly reading newspapers about her own disappearance. The mystery of her temporary amnesia remains unsolved, but it adds an irresistible layer of intrigue to the town.
 
The Explosive Origins of Harrogate Toffee
Harrogate’s famous spring waters were once prescribed for digestive health, though many visitors found their sulphurous taste... challenging. Enter Harrogate toffee, rumoured to have been invented to mask the pungent flavour. These boiled sweets offered relief to the palate and, some say, the consequences of drinking the water—which could be rather “explosive” in their own right.
 
Harrogate’s Volcanic Past and the Birth of Spa Culture
The reason Harrogate has spa waters is simple but explosive:  Harrogate sits on top of an ancient volcanic fault line.  Our geological past created the geothermal quirks that lie beneath Bogs Field and fed the town’s mineral-rich springs upon which its spa heritage is based.  During the 18th and 19th centuries, it was one of the places to be and be seen for aristocrats and socialites, and the grand architecture that resulted still enthrals visitors to this day. 

The sulphur well, which you used to be able to smell long before you saw it, is no longer operational, but you can find out more about our spa heritage at The Royal Pump Rooms museum, just a short walk from The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages. 

The Royal Pump Room was built by Isaac Shutt in 1842 to provide shelter for the town’s affluent visitors as they took the famous waters.   At its peak, each summer the Pump Room attracted 15,000 people and in 1911, Tsarina Alexandra of Russia was one of its most notable visitor.
 
Starbuck, Starbeck, and the High Seas
Here’s one for coffee lovers: the Starbucks chain is alleged by some to take its name from a character in Moby-Dick, but there's a curious Yorkshire connection. Some sources suggest that the name Starbuck may be linked to Starbeck, a suburb of Harrogate, named after a person who emigrated from the area to the American whaling town of Nantucket. While this link is anecdotal and not confirmed by Starbucks themselves, it adds a flavour of maritime mystery to your morning latte.
 
WWII Bombing – A Lesser-Known Chapter
Despite being located reasonably close to Leeds and York, both of which were targeted by German Bombers in World War Two, Harrogate escaped relatively unscathed.  Just three bombs were reported to have fallen on Harrogate, all of them fell in the grounds of The Majestic Hotel and it is thought that these may have been offloaded by German pilots returning from raids on Leeds and York.   Many Harrogate families also housed evacuees from the larger conurbations in order to keep the children from those cities safe. 
 
US Military Hospitals
During World War II, Harrogate hosted two US General Hospitals: the 115th at Hildebrand Barracks and the 116th at Uniacke Barracks, both located on Penny Pot Lane. These hospitals utilised British Army barracks built in 1939. The barracks are now the site of an Army Training College for young UK soldiers joining a range of regiments. 

Harrogate continues to have a close relationship with the United States via the American base at Menwith Hill.
 
Ear, Ear
The Montpellier Quarter once had a Turkish Baths attendant known for lifting gentlemen by their ears as part of a “traditional” welcome.
 
Bettys Café Tea Rooms
Bettys Café Tea Rooms was inspired by a Swiss chocolatier stranded in Yorkshire by mistake—proof that the best detours sometimes become legacies.
 
Pop Trivia
Harrogate hosted the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the UK, in 1982. 

The fabulously talented Saxophonist, Snake Davis, was brought up in Harrogate.  Originally a member of the local band Zoot and the Roots, he went on to play with the likes of George Michael and Paul McCartney.

The sole original band member in the acclaimed folk-tinged progressive rock group, Magna Carta, was born in Harrogate.  Chris Simpson is a hugely talented songwriter for the band, which sold nine million albums and played in 60 different countries over their fifty-year career. 

So there you have it.  Harrogate is more than just a pretty place—it's full of stories, secrets, and surprises. At The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, we love helping our guests experience the real Harrogate—its beauty, charm, and oddball stories that make it truly one of a kind. After a day of exploring, come back to the comfort of your room, relax with a cup of Yorkshire tea, and smile at the things you never knew about this extraordinary town.

Ready to plan your stay? Get in touch and book your Harrogate escape today. You never know what you’ll uncover.