A favourite spot for a walk when I’m visiting my family up in Yorkshire is the gardens at Harlow Carr in Harrogate. Run by the Royal Horticultural Society, the Harlow Carr Gardens have a lovely natural feel about them though it must take a lot of work to maintain, even if does appear effortless! I love the country feel and the soft colours.
A delight at any time of year they look especially beautiful in the spring when displays of tulips mingle with green trees and shrubs and the rhododendrons and azaleas are just starting to bloom.
There are explanations about the different displays and themed gardens along the way, plus you can wander through the greenhouses – the alpine flower zone is always one of my favourites. We also visited the bird viewing area, which is a wonderful spot from which to watch the birds feeding, though you do have to be very quiet! I forgot to take any photos there but as I didn’t want to disturb the birds it was probably a good thing.
With cafes including a branch of the world famous Betty’s Tearooms, a children’s playground and an extremely well stocked gift shop plus a fabulous garden centre, Harlow Carr is always well worth a visit.
The photos of the flowers on the blog today also serve as a memorial for the people caught up in the atrocity in London over the weekend. Our younger daughter, Mlle, like so many others, was out having a fun evening with friends in the Spitalfields area of London, about a mile away from the awful events unfolding just to the south. She let us know straightaway that she was safe, albeit somewhat shaken up by what had happened. Other families weren’t so fortunate. Hearts go out to them.
Copyright © 2017 Rosemary Thomas Le Chic En Rose. All rights reserved
Le Chic En Rose 
Beautiful. Thank you.
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Thank you – Harlow Carr is a beautiful and peaceful place 🙂
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Looks like a beautiful spot Rosemary, we’ve been to Harrogate many times but never here – I think we’ll have to change that. I can’t quite believe we woke up to such horrible news yesterday morning (again), so despicable what happened in London, glad your daughter was safe but like you say, thoughts and prayers for those who were affected.
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Harlow Carr is just to the north of the town centre Joy – you drive up the road from the large roundabout (think it’s called the Prince of Wales roundabout). Anyway it’s easy to get there and there’s plenty of parking. There is also a lovely walk through the woods from the top of the Valley Gardens, which we’ve done before – you come out very near the gift shop! Can’t begin to imagine the anguish of those affected by these atrocities – so many backgrounds and nationalities, thoughts and prayers go out to them.
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Lovely to see Harlow Carr on here, Rosemay! It’s a while since we’ve been, though we managed the Flower Show last month- not the same thing at all! Nice of you to make it a tribute and I’m so glad your daughter was out of harm’s way. 🙂 🙂
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I’ve visited Harlow Carr so many times Jo and never done a post about it – I must have taken hundreds of photos over the years! My dad is a member so I’m lucky as I’m able to get in free as his guest. The gift shop is superb too – a great place for birthday and Christmas presents! The Flower Show would have been special too 🙂 Yes it’s been horrible seeing the news recently – so glad your son was safe too I don’t think you ever stop worrying about your kids even when they are grown up and following their dreams. Thoughts go out to the poor people affected and their loved ones in distress.
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So beautiful
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Thanks – spring is a special time of year and Harlow Carr always looks so beautiful 🙂
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Beautiful gardens and lovely tribute to the recent events in London. i was in London visiting my son who is studying in London and we also met up with my sister and some cousins who were visiting from Brazil. We were at London Bridge just few hours before the awful terrorist atack. Words can’t describe the sadness and total disbelief for these recent atrocities.
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Thanks Gilda and am relieved to hear you and your loved ones are safe – the randomness of such events is terrifying. It is a bewildering and sad time – I can’t begin to think what anguish the families and loved ones of those caught up in all of this must be feeling. There was also a terror inspired siege in Melbourne yesterday very close to where we used to live (and for me work). Ting from My Travel Monkey (http://www.my-travelmonkey.com/) put a quote up on her blog from Martin Luther King Jnr, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” so appropriate for our times.
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Beautiful tulips! All the RHS gardens are divine. I haven’t been to Harlow Carr but it looks lovely.
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You would love Harlow Carr, Jude – it is beautifully maintained but in a lovely natural way – always feel very relaxed wandering round there 🙂
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If I am ever up north again, I shall make a point to visit.
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Am sure you will love it 🙂
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There are not many gardens that I don’t 😉
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I would love to go in autumn one year as so far have usually been there in the spring – the colours must be amazing at that time of year 🙂
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I really have to visit this beautiful garden! It has been on the top of my list for a while now but each time I plan to go there, the weather is not that fantastic. Since the entrance is quite pricy, I’m desperately waiting for a clear sky! I think you told me your dad can invite you as his guest isn’t it, to visit the garden for free? A regular entrance is close to £15
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Yes I’m so lucky Gin as I go in as my dad’s guest each time so have not had to pay. He loves the garden so it is worth him having the membership each year. I agree it would be better to go on a clear day so hopefully you will get there soon! I think autumn also would be a wonderful time to visit! 🙂
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