Delightful trip out to the remarkable, and busy, RHS Harlow Carr. 

The RHS merged with the Northern Horticultural Society in 2001 and, with the merger, came the acquisition of Harlow Carr. The gardens stand on what was once part of the Forest of Knaresborough, an ancient Royal hunting ground. Springs of sulphur water were discovered here in 1734 but the development of the site as a spa did not take place until 1840 when Henry Wright, the owner of the estate, cleaned out and protected one of the wells and four years later built a hotel, The Harrogate Arms and a bathhouse.

Since the merger there have been many developments at the garden including; the Montague-Burton Teaching Garden, Gardens Through Time and the Winter Walk. The Main Borders have been redesigned and Annuals Meadows have been themed using willow-woven sculptures. The Woodland has been regenerated and now includes a Rhododendron Glade with spring-flowering bulbs. The Alpine House and Bramall Learning Centre, one of the greenest buildings in the country, are the latest additions.

And they have a superb library, we have borrowed books!