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Harrogate in York County England History and GeographyHARROGATE, a watering-place and joint township with Bilton, in the parish of KNARESBOROUGH, lower division of the wapentake of CLARO, West riding of the county of YORK, 3 miles (S.W.) from Knaresborough, 15 (N.) from Leeds, 21 (W. by N.) from York, and 200 (N.N.W.) from London, containing, with Bilton, 1934 inhabitants. This place, originally called Heywragale, derives its appellation from being situated on the direct road from Knaresborough to Heyward park. It comprehends the two villages of High and Low Harrogate, which are half a mile apart, both standing on part of what was formerly the Forest of Knaresborough, now enclosed and cultivated. High Harrogate occupies an eminence which commands the view of an extensive landscape, diversified with woods, fields, towns, and villages, and bounded by the mountains of Craven, Hambleton hills, and the wolds of Yorkshire. Low Harrogate is pleasantly situated in a valley, and is adorned with many handsome stone houses, erected principally for the accommodation of visitors. The rapid increase of buildings renders it probable that the two villages will at no distant period become united. The mineral waters, which have long rendered Harrogate a place of fashionable resort from May to October, are of three kinds, chalybeate, sulphureous, and saline chalybeate, similar to the Cheltenham waters. In High Harrogate is the old spa, a chalybeate spring, which was discovered in 1571, by Captain William Slingsby, surrounded by a terrace sixty yards square in 1656, the sides of which furnish an agreeable promenade, and surmounted by a handsome dome, in 1786, at the expense of Lord Loughborough. About three quarters of a mile to the westward is the Tewit well, the water of which possesses similar properties. These were the only chalybeate wells known for a long time; but in 1819 a saline chalybeate spring was discovered, which is daily increasing in repute: the water is called Cheltenham water, from the similarity of its properties to those of the purgative waters of Cheltenham; and being private property, persons are admitted to the spa on subscribing two shillings and six-pence a week, and also to the grounds, in which are pleasant walks, a large sheet of water, and various ornamental plantations. In Low Harrogate is the old sulphur well, situated at the foot of a hill which rises to the south-west, the water of which is received in a circular stone basin, surmounted by a large cupola covered with lead and supported on stone pillars. In the grounds adjoining the Crown Hotel is a new sulphur well, enclosed in a Chinese octagonal building, and surrounded by walks and shrubberies tastefully arranged: the water is raised by a pump, and resembles the former in its medicinal qualities. The sulphur wells are numerous, but only four are used; and their sanative properties were not discovered till several years after the wells at the upper village were generally frequented. A sulphureous chalybeate spring, called the Crescent water, discovered in 1783, is situated in the garden of the Crescent: it is private property, and the terms of subscription are half a guinea for the season. The medicinal quality of the chalybeate waters is principally tonic and alterative; that of the sulphureous strongly purgative: the latter are used externally and internally, and are considered particularly serviceable in scorbutic complaints, and disorders of the skin. The principal place of public resort is a large and elegant room near the sulphur wells, called the Promenade room, which is supplied with periodical publications, an appropriate library, and an organ, on which, during the season, an organist plays every morning and evening, and on Sunday evenings there is a performance of sacred music: the terms of subscription are moderate. In High Harrogate are also a good library and a theatre, the latter being open during the months of July, Angust, and September. Assemblies are held at the different hotels three or four nights in the week during the season; and there are races in summer. A chapel, dedicated to St. John, was erected in High Harrogate in 1749, by subscription, Lady Elizabeth Hastings having been a liberal contributor: it is a neat edifiee of freestone, containing several marble monuments to the memory of visitors who have died here; and it has lately received an addition of two hundred and forty sittings, of which one hundred and eighty-six are free, the Incorporated Society for the enlargement of churches and chapels having granted £200 towards defraying the expense. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Richmond, and diocese of Chester, and in the patronage of the Vicar of Knaresborough. In Low Harrogate is a small church or chapel, erected in 1824, and containing about seven hundred and fifty sittings, of which five hundred are free, the Incorporated Society having granted £500 for that purpose. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry and diocese of York, and in the patronage of the Crown. There is a place of worship for Independents in High Harrogate, and one for Methodists midway between the two, villages. There is also an endowed school for the children of the poor of Bilton cum Harrogate. The Bath hospital was erected by subscription in 1826, upon a plot of land near the bogs, granted for that purpose by the Earl of Harewood; and here the poor may obtain the benefit of the mineral waters free of expense: at present only twenty-four patients can be accommodated, but it is in contemplation to enlarge the building, and extend the benefits of the institution. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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