Things to do near Harrogate: York, Ripon and Harewood
Three good day trips from Harrogate are York by direct train, Ripon with its cathedral, and Harewood with its house and gardens. The countryside around the town has its own pages for Knaresborough, Fountains Abbey, Brimham Rocks and Ripley Castle, linked below.
Guided day trips can combine several of these places in one day. If you travel independently, read the transport notes first, because buses on some routes are limited.
Our pick: York Minster ticket
Entry with a multimedia guide, a good anchor for a day trip to York.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day trips from Harrogate: York, Ripon and the Dales
Guided day trips from Harrogate with live prices and availability.
York, Ripon and Harewood compared
How to get there and what it costs.
| Place | Getting there | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| York | Direct train, sample 10:12 to 10:53 (41 minutes) | Minster tickets booked separately | Not every train takes the same time |
| Ripon | Bus 36 from Harrogate | Cathedral by donation, £5 suggested | Services interrupt normal visiting |
| Harewood | Bus 36 or about 20 minutes by car | Online discount only if bought before 10:00 on the day | House and gardens have separate opening patterns |
For most visitors, York suits a full day and Ripon a half day. Harewood suits a slower day with gardens and grounds.
Places to visit near Harrogate in detail
What each place involves.
York
A direct train leaves Harrogate for York, with a sample journey of 41 minutes in the 2026 timetable. Minster tickets are booked separately, and services affect visiting, so check ticket details before you go.
Ripon
The cathedral stands in the town centre and asks for a donation, with £5 suggested. It opens Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 18:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00. During services there is no normal tour of the building. The crypt is dated to 672 and is reached by stairs and a narrow passage. Bus 36 from Harrogate links the two towns.
Harewood House
An 18th-century house with more than 140 acres of gardens and grounds, about 20 minutes by car from Harrogate. Bus 36 runs Monday to Saturday in the daytime every 15 minutes and on Sundays every 30 minutes. Gardens and grounds open 10:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00. The house can close for Christmas preparation, so check the opening dates before you set out. Online discounts apply only when you buy before 10:00 on your visit day.
Closer to town
Each of these has its own page: Knaresborough for castle and viaduct, Fountains Abbey for the World Heritage ruins, Brimham Rocks for rock formations and Ripley Castle for tours and gardens.
Day trips from Harrogate: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Harrogate to York?
A sample direct train leaves at 10:12 and arrives at 10:53, which is 41 minutes. Not every train takes the same time, so check the current timetable.
Is Ripon Cathedral free?
Entry is by donation, with £5 suggested. During services there is no normal tour of the building.
How do I get to Harewood from Harrogate?
By bus 36, which runs every 15 minutes in the daytime Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays, or by car in about 20 minutes.
Can I visit the inside of Harewood House?
The house closes at times for Christmas preparation, so check the opening dates for your day. The gardens and grounds open 10:00 to 17:00, last entry at 16:00.
Are there day tours that combine several places?
Yes. Guided Yorkshire day trips can combine places such as York and the Dales in one day. Check meeting points and what is included.
Is there an online discount for Harewood?
Yes, but only if you buy before 10:00 on the day of your visit. After that the gate price applies.