Date of visit: Regular visitor

NUMBER OF PAW POINTS: 10/10 – The Stray is always well kept and tidy. The floral displays are beautiful and this is a huge space that both locals and visitors enjoy. And it’s just a stones throw from the town.

Me and Mum love to hop on the No.36 bus and head out to Harrogate. It’s around twelve miles from where we live and it’s a lovely journey. As soon as we jump off the bus, I drag Mum towards The Stray – 200 acres of open parkland that is open to everyone – and we dogs just love it!

The Stray is a large green space at the edge of this busy little town. There is plenty of room for humans to play games, fly kites or have a picnic. I see it as a space for a fabulous walk and making new friends.

ENZO SUGGESTS: A Spring visit. Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit. The crocuses and daffodils look amazing and the cherry trees are in full bloom creating beautiful pink pathways.

People often use this as a photo opportunity and as you can see from the photos, my mum is no different! But any time of year is a good time to visit. So much to see and lots of dogs to meet!

Tewit Well

The well was discovered in the 1500’s and is said to be named after a local word for the lapwing – a bird which frequents the area.

It can be found at the edge of The Stray near the cherry trees.

The plaque reads “THE TEWIT WELL – The Chalybeate Spring beneath this temple is believed to have been discovered by William Slingsby in 1571 and is the oldest known spring in Harrogate. The present cover was built from designs by Thomas Chippindale in 1807-8 and up to 1842 stood over the sulphur spring in Low Harrogate. THE HARROGATE SOCIETY, 1975”

Mum loves this walk as we always get plenty of steps in. You will often get chatting to people, especially if you have a dog and you meet another dog walker. Harrogate is a very friendly town.

If you’re a Leeds pooch like me, you can get to Harrogate on the No.36 bus from Leeds city centre. Or you can get the train. Harrogate is a lovely place to visit and I highly recommend a long walk on The Stray. It’s a great place to hang out with pooch friends!

We’ve never stopped off for anything to eat or drink in Harrogate so if you know of anywhere that is super dog friendly, do let us know and we can give it a try next time we’re there.