Discover the fascinating story of health and wellbeing in Harrogate – from the opening of the first hospital, through Victorian and Edwardian medicine, to modern healthcare and future perspectives. This special programme of talks, walks, exhibitions and activities celebrates Harrogate’s unique medical, spa and social history, and the people who shaped it. We hope this makes you proud of the rich Harrogate history that you are a part of.
Welcome
Exhibition
Opening Times
School Awards
Events Calendar
What's on
Getting Here
Contact Us
Thank you
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Exhibition
The exhibition looks back over the past 200 years to share the history of health in Harrogate. The story will take you on a journey from the very beginnings of spa health, to the modern day hospital and a glimpse into the future. It will also share the stories of those interesting historic characters who have shaped the medical world.
Throughout this exhibition there are interactive and child friendly sections, so please bring the family along to find out more.
Exhibition Opening Times
The Health in Harrogate Exhibition is open:
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Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
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10.30am - 3pm
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From 6 April - 16 May
Location: West Park Centre, Corner of Victoria Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 1EQ
Schools Competition Awards Ceremony
Come and join us to celebrate the winners of the primary and secondary schools’ competition with special guest, The Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor, Chris Aldred.
On the day, there will be a talk from Dr Jed Atkinson, Education Officer at the Royal Pump Room Museum. A doctor of geology, Jed explores the intersection between earth sciences and social history. He is also part of the Fossils in t’ Hills team, sharing stories of local geo-heritage.
For over 450 years people have been “taking the waters” at Harrogate in the hope of curing a wide range of ailments. Unlike the fresh, clean springs we might expect, Harrogate’s waters are often foul-smelling and rich in salt, sulphur and iron. Visitors were prescribed different waters much like medicines from a GP, helping Harrogate become a renowned centre for healing and wellbeing. In this talk, we explore what is really in these waters, why Harrogate has 88 different springs, and what lies beneath the town.
Location: West Park Centre, Corner of Victoria Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 1EQ th
Date: Saturday 18 April 2026 Time: Talk 3:00PM-4:00PM and Awards 4:00PM-5:00PM
No pre-booking necessary
Events Calendar
Throughout the Health in Harrogate event we have a number of informative talks from historians including a guided walk, bookable online.
All donations collected during talks/events will go to the Harrogate In Health Committee to be distributed by Harrogate Medical Society to St Michael’s Hospice.
Talk by Dr Paul Jennings
Children’s sickness and health: the experience of late Victorian and Edwardian Harrogate
8th April 7PM - 8:30PM
The fear of the illness and possibly premature death of a child was an ever-present source of worry to Victorian and Edwardian parents. This talk explores those themes through Harrogate’s schools, looking at the state schools attended by the working classes and the private schools of the middle classes. The talk will examine the range of sickness to which children succumbed, the reasons for it and efforts to improve the situation.
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FUIJ
Ticket cost: £10
Drop In by Emily Holmes
Object ‘Show & Tell’ with Harrogate Museums
10th April 10:30AM - 3:00PM
Join the Curator of the Mercer Art Gallery and the Royal Pump Rooms to get up close and personal with objects held in North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate Museum Collection. This wide-ranging collection contains everything from archaeology, 19 century costume, spa heyday memorabilia, contemporary art, and all things in between! Come and meet the curator to discover some curious items, normally hidden away in the collection store, and learn how these objects came to be in Harrogate.
Free event. No booking necessary
Guided Walk by Harry Satloka
Harrogate’s Spa Heritage
11th & 25th April 3:30PM - 5:00PM
Harry describes himself as barely a historian let alone a medical professional, but he can tell a good story. He would be delighted to celebrate 200 years of the first hospital in Harrogate and the millions who have sought out “the cure” in our beautiful Spa town over than time… and some who wish they hadn’t!
Starts at the Cenotaph near Bettys, finishing at West Park Centre, with tea and cake to follow.
11th - https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FXLA
25th - https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FXMD
Ticket cost: £10
Stories of Royal Bath Hospital
200-year anniversary of the first hospital in Harrogate the Bath hospital
15th April 7PM - 8:30PM
Peter Holmes, civil servant, and Fiona Evard, retired physiotherapist, will lead a presentation with former staff of the Royal Bath Hospital bringing the hospital’s history to life.
With contributions from Dr Mike Martin, Carmel Duff and other staff.
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FUPU
Ticket cost: £10
Harrogate Dramatic Society
A Healthy Miscellany
17th & 18th April 7PM - 8:30PM
The Harrogate Dramatic Society will entertain with an evening of readings from plays, poems and other writings on the general theme of wellbeing in Harrogate and beyond.
17th April - https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FVQI
18th April - https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FVQM
Ticket cost: £10
Talk by Dr Peter Hammond
1922+ : from insulin to the artificial pancreas - searchingfor a cure for type 1 diabetes
22nd April 7PM - 8:30PM
Peter Hammond, consultant endocrinologist, will talk about the history of treatment for type 1 diabetes. From ketotic diets, through the discovery of insulin to closed-loop insulin delivery systems and future developments.
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FUPW
Ticket cost: £10
Talk by Harry Satloka
Harrogate’s Spa Heritage
29th April 7PM - 8:30PM
Harry describes himself as barely a historian let alone a medical professional, but he can tell a good story. He would be delighted to celebrate 200 years of the first hospital in Harrogate and the millions who have sought out “the cure” in our beautiful Spa town over than time… and some who wish they hadn’t!
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FUQC
Ticket cost: £10
Sarah Devonald, Andrew Hitchen and Dr Paul Jennings
Sound Health - the music of Harrogate’s Spa, Stray and Streets
2nd May 7PM - 8:30PM
In the 100 years leading up to the Second World War Harrogate was known for its cures, green spaces and elegance. But what was music’s role in the town and how might it have promoted health and wellbeing, no only for its many rich visitors but also for the working people who served them?
Social historian Dr Paul Jennings, Concerts Director Andrew Hitchen and BBC Radio 3’s Sarah Devonald take us through some of the musical highlights of Harrogate’s heyday as a spa town, illustrated with plenty of music, stories and images of times gone by.
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FWKO
Ticket cost: £15
Talk by Dr Green
Rheumatology advances through the ages
13th May 7PM - 8:30PM
Over the past 200 years, rheumatology has changed dramatically. In the 1800s, treatment mainly focused on relieving pain and resting because little was known about these conditions. In the 1900s, better understanding led to anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and medicines like methotrexate, as well as improved imaging and diagnosis. More recently, biologic and targeted treatments have greatly improved outcomes, helping people stay active.
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FWKL
Ticket cost: £10
What Else Is Happening Around Harrogate?
There are a number of other events throughout Harrogate that celebrates the history of Health in Harrogate
The Royal Pump Room Museum
The Royal Pump Room Museum explores Harrogate’s unique spa history, from its early 16th century beginnings to its prosperous Edwardian heyday, and eventual decline as a destination spa.
Visitors interested in Harrogate’s heritage are encouraged to visit the Pump Room to explore this remarkable story in more detail.
Contact [email protected].
Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust
Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust will be hosting two Open Days on Friday the 8 of May and Wednesday the 20 of May between 10am and 4pm for those interested in finding out more about our local hospitals, past and present.
Join us in our newly refurbished Herriot’s learning space to speak to teams about the work they do and how you can get involved, as a Trust member, volunteer or by working for us.
We look forward to welcoming all members of the public who are interested in finding out more about the services we run.
Our restaurant adjacent to the learning space will be open all day for hot and cold refreshments.
Please contact [email protected] to confirm if you would like to attend.
Plaque Unveiling
During the exhibition period we hope to unveil our latest heritage plaque to commemorate Dr Wilfrid Edgecombe.
He qualified as a doctor in 1893 and came to Harrogate in 1894. In 1932 he was instrumental in the foundation of Harrogate General Hospital. He was twice president of the Harrogate Medical Society and three times President of the Harrogate Club. He served as a Harrogate Borough Councillor between 1919-1932 and was Justice of the Peace.
Fittingly he was described as “perhaps the last of the Spa Physicians”.
It will be located at Craven Lodge, Victoria Avenue where he lived from 1931-1945.
Harrogate Library
Harrogate Library will host a small display of information and photographs on the theme of “Health in Harrogate”, created using resources from their archive.
Contact [email protected].
The local studies section is a treasure trove of information. With a library card, visitors
Getting Here
Come and see us!
We are located at West Park Centre @ West Park United Reformed Church, Harrogate HG1 1EQ
Contact Us
Address: Health in Harrogate @ West Park United Reformed Church, Victoria Avenue. HG1 1EQ
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Thank you
A huge thank you to all organisations and societies that have dedicated time to supporting this programme of events: the Harrogate Medical Society, West Park Centre, the Harrogate Civic Society, Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate Hospital Community Charity, Harrogate Hospital Radio, the Harrogate Dramatic Society, Harry Satloka, and all our guest event speakers and societies.
A special mention to our wonderful donors Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club, Prosperis Financial Consultant, Dr Scott Green, Mr and Mrs Leinhardt, Mr James Ellis, Harrogate Spring Water and the Fat Badger Group.
All money raised from the events will go to support St Michael’s Hospice Harrogate.
All donations collected during exhibition opening hours will go to West Park Centre.
All refreshments to be provided by West Park Centre.
All donations collected during talks/events will go to the Harrogate In Health Committee to be distributed by Harrogate Medical Society to St Michael’s Hospice.