Harrogate Spa Society calls for a 'great spa revival' after decades of inaction over town's own history
“Too many of the places and traditions that made Harrogate extraordinary have been neglected but their potential remains”
A new community group has been launched to throw a spotlight on the neglect of Harrogate’s spa heritage and how to rejuvenate it.
Harrogate Spa Society has been established as a Community Interest Company by George Eglese, a Harrogate-based designer, cultural strategist and researcher whose ideas have contributed to the town’s civic life in recent years.
Although Harrogate retains a reputation nationally for its spa waters dating back to the 16th century, its peak as a spa town was during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.
On the wane since the inter-war period, the town’s spa role went into steep decline after the Second World War.
Harrogate Spa Society has now joined a number of long-standing voices in the town exploring the possibilities of a spa revival, including the likes of Harrogate Civic Society and David Rhodes, former conservation and design manager of Harrogate Borough Council.
Early priorities for Harrogate Spa Society include exploring a new public role for Crescent Gardens Pavilion, researching and mapping Harrogate’s mineral springs, and developing an archive of the town’s spa history and culture.
“Harrogate was built on an extraordinary spirit of discovery, invention and experimentation,” said George Eglese, Founder and Director of Harrogate Spa Society.
"Its mineral waters gave rise to an entire culture of health, nature, architecture, entertainment and international exchange.
“Too many of the places and traditions that made Harrogate extraordinary have been neglected, but their potential remains.
"At a time when we’re rethinking our relationship with nature, health and the places we live, historic spa towns have a remarkable opportunity to lead again.”
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In 2024, George Eglese, led a workshop called Growing the 21st Century Spa Town which brought together community leaders, heritage experts, environmentalists and more to discuss how Harrogate can revitalise its identity by embracing its waters, heritage and natural resource.
Recent years have seen him contribute to local efforts to protect and promote Harrogate’s key assets.
These have included:
Pinewoods Revealed: Led historical research and creative strategy for the local woodland project, framing the Pinewoods as Harrogate's living cure forest (Kurwald) tied to the town's historical spa heritage.
Knaresborough Forest Park & Local Planning: Involved in local land and community initiatives, including work with the Knaresborough Forest Park and Long Lands Community, as well as serving with local town plan groups.
Spa Archives: Built an independent research collection featuring historical guides, maps, photographs, bottles, and literature on Harrogate's mineral waters and hydrotherapy culture.
Mr Egelese says that at the heart of Harrogate Spa Society’s plans is Harrogate Cure, a cultural programme combining art, music, nature, movement and discovery, with a new season of activities planned throughout 2027.
The Society’s wider work includes Spa Commons, which will explore the restoration and renewed use of Harrogate’s historic spa buildings, mineral springs, gardens and public spaces.
It is also promoting Harrogate Wildbelt, a landscape vision connecting the town’s rivers, valleys, woodlands and green corridors.
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