Dare I say it, but things are starting to re-open and I’m feeling a little hopeful inside. Now that lockdown is easing many local businesses and attractions are cautiously opening their doors to the public. Here’s eight which have now re-opened after Covid-19 lockdown for you to enjoy.
The Great Knaresborough Bed Race
The Great Knaresborough Bed Race is a spectacle to behold so it would have been a real shame to have missed a year. Luckily the organisers are taking it online and it’s this Saturday 13th June!
This wacky, centric event attracts tens of thousands of people to the small market town of Knaresborough. The day (normally) consists of a fancy-dress parade, followed by a grueling 2.4miles run, complete with an icy swim across the River Nidd to the finish line!
This year the race (& parade) is going to be a ‘virtual’ one, named the “Bed Race 2020 Unplugged”, on Saturday 13 June 2020. So, grab the popcorn and get settled in to watch the day from the comfort of your sofa.
The plan for the day is shaping up like this:
- 10:00 Quiz and Treasure Hunt https://www.facebook.com/Bedrace/
- 12:00 Virtual Balloon Race ends https://www.balloonrace.com/bedrace2020unplugged
- 13:00 Town Crier followed by Virtual Parade streamed online by Stray FM at https://www.facebook.com/strayfm/
- 14.40 Warm up for Bed Race with Lisa and Hayley from HarrogatePT streamed online – get yourself ready to run!
- 14:55 Mayor of Knaresborough announces the race at https://www.facebook.com/strayfm/
- 15:00 Virtual Race (created by Sirastudio) streamed online by Stray FM at https://www.facebook.com/strayfm/
- 15:15 Party at home: Clubbercise with Gilly to get you up and active
- 16:00 Announcement of prize winners (for the quiz, treasure hunt, parade, race and balloon race)
- 16:30 Bed Race Finale – music
The RHS Gardens Harlow Carr
Our lovely local RHS Garden has reopened! Harlow Carr garden centre and gardens are now opened but you have to pre-book to access the gardens. The car park looks to be busy but people are respecting each other and often leave a parking space between each car.
All visitors are required to pre-book a timed entry slot in advance of their visit and the number of visitors entering the gardens will be limited each day. Additional safety measures have been implemented and areas within the gardens where it is difficult to maintain social distancing remain closed.
Garden opening times: 10am to 4pm every day (pre-booked time slots only). Last admission at 3pm
- Adult: £13.50
- Child: £6.75
Garden center opening times: 10am to 5pm Monday–Saturday; 11am to 5pm Sunday
Ripley Castle Gardens & Grounds
The beautiful Ripley Castle Gardens and Grounds are open for you to enjoy again. Similarly to the RHS, this is on a pre-booked basis and priced £17.00 per car (for up to five people).
Each day an exclusive number of visitors will be able to:
- Designated parking area (the main village car park remains closed)
- Toilets (for the use of paid visitors only)
- Picnic tables in the Castle Courtyard (spaced accordingly)
- The deer park walks
- Formal gardens
- Lakeside views to enjoy with a picnic
The Tea Room will also be open on a takeaway basis serving soft drinks, tea, coffee, ice creams and snacks – yippee!
Valley Gardens Tennis Courts
Anyone for Tennis? While life is a little slower, why not take advantage of our local tennis courts in the Valley Gardens.
All four courts are in operation and it is important that you adhere to the following guidelines when playing.
Bookings can be made in person with the Games Attendant at the games hut nearby or via the online reservation system. If you book a court online, please pay at the games hut before you commence play.
Pay and play rates:
- Tennis adult (per court per hour) £8.60
- Child/concession (per court per hour) £4.50
- Hire of racket £2.20
- Hire of balls (set of 4) £1.80
- Mixed group (adults and children per court per hour) £4.50
Newby Hall
Newby Hall between Harrogate and Ripon is a perfect place for a, socially distanced, meet up with friends, or spending the last of your quality time with your family before we all head back to our busy lives (please don’t make me!). Currently, they have yet to open the playground, railway, dancing water jets, restaurant, and all exhibitions.
Gardens are open from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Gates open at 11am, last admission 5pm, Garden cleared 5.30pm.
- Adults £12.00
- Children £8.00
Pots2Go Ceramic Cafe
The in-shop painting experience is open with a fresh new look. I strongly advise you book ahead, as there are a few less tables now to cater for those who just drop in. The Pots2Go@Home DIY kits are still available from those who want to give it a go from home.
Opening hours are;
- Monday – closed
- Tuesdays – DIY kit deliveries & collections
- Wednesdays – shop open reduced hours
- Thursdays – DIY kit deliveries & collections
- Fridays – shop open reduced hours
- Saturdays – shop open all day 9.30am – 5.00pm
- Sundays – shop closed / party hosting
More info regarding opening/appointment times for Wednesdays and Fridays to follow at the end of the week.
Email us at info@pots2go.co.uk for more information.
Missing the Cinema? Introducing The Drive-In-Cinema
What-An-Event is bringing a drive-in cinema to the Yorkshire Show Ground on 11th & 12th July. I mean this will be the date of the year, first time out, watching a film – it will be the best day of 2020 yet!
There’s three films showing each day, including family favourites The Lion King, Grease, Mamma Mia Here We Go Again and The Jungle Book. The screenings are in line with Government guidelines, including contactless ticket scanning on entry and cars parked at least 2 metres away from others. Food and snacks can also be ordered on site and will be delivered to cars – told you – it’s THE BEST DAY EVER!
A donation from ticket proceeds will be made to charities including Care Workers Charity and Racing Welfare. Click here to book.
Mother Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough
Within historic woodland along the River Nidd is Mother Shipton’s Cave, the birthplace of the famous prophetess. And is situated next to the Petrifying Well, England’s oldest visitor attraction. The attraction tells the story of Mother Shipton and the waters which turn objects to stone.
Again, this attraction is taking pre-bookings on a per car admissions at £20.00 (for up to seven people).
Have you been to any of these yet? Where else are you missing? Give them a shout out in the comments below and I’ll make sure to cover them soon.
