RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate

The garden is one of five gardens owned and maintained by the Royal Horticultural Society. Created on land originally leased from Harrogate Corporation, the garden was established by members of the then newly formed Northern Horticultural Society (NHS) and first opened its gates to visitors in 1950. It was later acquired through the merger of the Northern Horticultural Society with the RHS in 2001.

The history of the site is very interesting. In the 1840s, the original Estate owner, Henry Wright, built a bath house and hotel (later known as the Harrogate Arms), which catered for visitors who came from far and wide to take the waters and benefit from the health-giving properties of the spa water for which Harrogate had become famed. Landscaped gardens were developed alongside to add to the visitor experience though by the time the Northern Horticultural society took possession in 1949 much of this had reverted to arable pastureland.

Today RHS Garden Harlow Carr is a thriving visitor attraction that continues to develop and evolve. Set in a valley and with distinctive growing conditions, the garden contains distinct gardens and environments including an Arboretum, wildflower meadows, Alpine House, Streamside, the Sandstone Rock Gardens and an open, south-facing hillside. Recent additions include the Sub Tropicana Garden and the popular Winter Walk which brings colour to the darkest months with a stunning array of cornus, salix and hellebores.