The Old Swan Hotel is one of Harrogate’s most recognisable landmarks, combining Victorian architecture with a central yet tranquil setting close to the town’s main attractions. It offers traditional accommodation within walking distance of the Valley Gardens, the Harrogate Convention Centre and the town’s shops and restaurants.
The Old Swan traces its origins to the late 18th century, when it was known as the Swan Inn, and it was later redeveloped into The Harrogate Hydro in the 19th century, when it played an important part in Harrogate’s role as a fashionable spa town. Its reputation was further cemented in December 1926 when crime writer Agatha Christie was found staying here under an assumed name after her 11-day disappearance, a story that continues to draw literary interest. Today, it retains much of its Victorian charm, with a façade that reflects Harrogate’s period architecture and interiors that mix traditional design with modern conveniences.
The Old Swan Hotel has around 136 guest rooms spread across several floors. Rooms vary in size and layout, ranging from compact standard rooms to larger suites overlooking the gardens. Each room includes a flatscreen TV, tea-and-coffee-making facilities, a work desk, a hairdryer and an en suite bathroom.
The hotel has a traditional décor, with patterned carpets, upholstered chairs and a warm colour scheme. Guests seeking modern décor may find the style somewhat dated, but the rooms are generally clean and comfortable.
Public areas reflect the hotel’s long history, with high ceilings, chandeliers and period detailing throughout. The Swan Lounge, with its comfortable armchairs and large windows overlooking the gardens, is a popular spot for afternoon tea. The hotel’s restaurant, The Wedgewood, serves a menu of traditional British and European dishes, including seasonal options and local produce in an elegant environment with a stunning glass roof.
Free Wi-Fi wireless internet access is available throughout the hotel.
The hotel is on Swan Road, in a leafy residential area on the northern fringe of Harrogate’s town centre. It is a relatively convenient location, no more than a 5–6-minute walk from the Harrogate Convention Centre, the Mercer Art Gallery, the Royal Pump Room Museum, the Turkish Baths and Valley Gardens. Most other points of interest in the town centre are a 5–15-minute walk away.
Both Harrogate railway station and the bus station are about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. From here you can get trains to Leeds and York, as well as buses to nearby towns and cities including Knaresborough, Leeds and Ripon.
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