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A Soothing Saturday in Valley Gardens in Harrogate

Saturday in Harrogate was a rare day of no sibling arguaments or teething/puberty related meltdowns (which is ah-mazing when you have three kids aged 11 months old to 12 years old)! Perfect all in all.

The perfect symmetry of these remarkable dahlias in Valley Gardens are breathtaking. They resemble kaleidoscope drawings I would repeatedly draw as a kid!

pink dahlia orange dahlia yellow dahlia Valley Gardens dahlia at Valley Gardens baby Florence

Isn’t FLorence’s new woolly hat adorable?

Valley Gardens really is a must-see if you’re in the area with its sprawling grounds spanning 7 acres (English Heritage Grade 11 gardens, no less), a skate park, kids’ playground and Art Deco pavillion.

From April to October you can play in the following too: tennis courts, a pitch and putt golf course, a crazy golf course, boating pool and paddling pool. Sundays throughout the summer see band concerts take to the park for all to enjoy!

Ice cream, drinks and snacks (with local and seasonal fare) are available from the Magnesia Well Café, and the Games Pavilion sells some refreshments between Easter and September.

To see the gardens in all of their autumnal glory made for a soothing Saturday and it’s an experience we hope to repeat soon and again and again throughout the seasons as the park and our children grow and evolve over time. This is a place to make memories.

As an aside, while mothering three kids can feel overwhelming intense and frustrating at times, it’s equally such a joy and privilege too, especially on the days like Saturday when no one is arguing, slamming doors or teething. More of these days please.

Have you visited Valley Gardens?

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