Now, for any one faced with an indifferent August day with the ever present threat of frequent rain, museums, tea rooms and art galleries become very attractive.
Not that we wouldn’t have made our way to the Royal Pump Room Museum in Harrogate.
Over the years the Turkish Baths have been a place we regularly return to bringing some of our kids as well as the Italian side of the family.
And by extension, once you have done the hot and cold rooms, taken in more than a bit of steam, and enjoyed various rub downs and massages, it makes sense to visit the history of all this “health stuff”.
All of which took us to the Royal Pump Room Museum, which one guide tells me has the “strongest sulphur wells in Europe, where over 15,000 people used to come every summer”, including more than a few Russian Royals as well as politicians and famous writers of the 19th and 20th century.*
As well as a fascinating series of exhibits on the story of the spa, and the science of “taking the waters”, there is an Egyptology section, displays of everyday things and an array of costumes from the 1940s which compliments the story of food and wartime rationing.
Together they provide an interesting backdrop to the development of Harrogate.
And for those who want to follow up on the history of the town just follow the link.**
Location; Harrogate
Pictures; the Royal Pump Room Museum, Harrogate, 2021, from the collection of Andrew Simpson
* The Royal Pump Room Museum, https://www.visitharrogate.co.uk/business-directory/royal-pump-room-museum
**The Royal Pump Room Museum,Harrogate, https://www.harrogate.gov.uk/royal-pump-room-museum
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