Dusk in Harrogate

A pre-Christmas early evening in Harrogate was rather magical, with lots of lights starting to twinkle as dusk fell. Harrogate is notable these days as a centre for conferences. There's a huge modern Convention Centre, with a large auditorium, eight exhibition halls, meeting rooms and a hotel. When it first opened in 1982, it hosted the Eurovision Sing Contest. It incorporates the Royal Hall (above), a rather elegant theatre and reception hall dating to 1903 and formerly known as the Kursaal. 

At the top end of town, Betty's Café is renowned internationally for its coffee, cakes and afternoon teas. There is nearly always a queue to get in.

The town centre itself is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways. Somehow I nearly always manage to get lost there! 

As in many of our towns and cities in the run-up to Christmas, there was a street fair with an outdoor ice rink and a few fairground rides and stalls. I adore the old Victorian carousels, which are often beautifully restored and still in good working order. I was a little too early for the fair. It was just open but hadn't really got going so I didn't get a ride on the horses. 

I didn't bother with the big wheel either. They are usually quite expensive to ride, just for a bird's eye view over the town. It was all quite fun though, with a festive atmosphere around the streets and in the shops.