Latest news with #Bettys
Forbes
5 days ago
- Forbes
A Relaxing Day In Harrogate, Yorkshire's Historic Spa Town
Bettys Cafe and Tea Rooms is a landmark of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. getty Harrogate might not be as well-known internationally as nearby York, but for generations of British travelers, it has represented elegance, wellness and quiet luxury. Once famed for its sulfurous spa waters, Harrogate today draws visitors for its manicured gardens and Victorian architecture. Just 45 minutes by train from Leeds or York, it's an easy day trip for travelers craving a slower pace without sacrificing style. Whether you're sipping Darjeeling at Bettys, strolling through flower-filled parks or soaking up the mystery of Agatha Christie's 1926 disappearance, Harrogate delivers a day of gentle pleasures and old-world atmosphere. And best of all? It's incredibly easy to reach. One of Harrogate's biggest assets is its convenience. Regular trains from Leeds and York take around 30 to 40 minutes, making it an ideal side trip from either city. The train station sits right in the heart of town, so it's easy to start exploring on foot the moment you arrive. Buses are another option, particularly the comfortable and scenic route 36 double-decker that runs between Leeds and Ripon, passing through Harrogate en route. The Gardens Of Harrogate If the weather's kind, start your day with a wander through Valley Gardens, just a short ten-minute stroll from the station. Valley Gardens in Harrogate is popular with locals and visitors alike. David Nikel This lush, 17-acre park weaves together formal flowerbeds, winding woodland trails, and a handful of unexpected delights. Keep an eye out for the vintage paddling pool, a quirky mini-golf course and the curved art deco Sun Pavilion with its sweeping views over the lawns. It's easy to lose track of time here, especially with a takeaway coffee in hand from one of the nearby cafes along Valley Drive. The gardens also sit atop a network of natural springs, a reminder of Harrogate's long-standing spa heritage. For something more ambitious, RHS Garden Harlow Carr lies on the town's western edge. A 20-minute walk or quick taxi ride brings you to this much-loved showcase of British horticulture from wildflower meadows to woodland walks. One striking feature is the set of classical Doric columns, salvaged from Harrogate's old Cheltenham Pump Room and now standing as a romantic ruin within the grounds. There's also a branch of Bettys Tea Room, ideal for a mid-morning pause surrounded by flowers and birdsong. Discover Harrogate's Spa Heritage To understand what first put Harrogate on the map, look no further than its sulfur-rich springs. A good place to begin is the Royal Pump Room Museum, an elegant domed building constructed in 1842 around one of the town's most potent wells, once said to be among the strongest in Europe. Inside, exhibits trace the history of Harrogate's rise as a fashionable spa resort, from eyebrow-raising Victorian treatments to the habits and oddities of 19th-century visitors. Even today, the faint tang of sulfur near the wellhead lends the space an unexpected authenticity. The Royal Pump Rooms Museum gives a thorough overview of Harrogate's history as an important spa town. David Nikel Just across the road, the Turkish Baths offer a more immersive link to the past. These late-Victorian bathhouses, built in ornate Moorish style, still operate much as they did over a century ago. Step into the tiled lobby to admire the craftsmanship and atmosphere that helped define Harrogate's golden age of wellness. If you have time, book a session to experience the sequence of steam rooms and cold plunge pools. Pause For Afternoon Tea When it's time for lunch or something sweeter, Harrogate delivers in the most civilized fashion. The town is home to the original Bettys Café Tea Rooms, a Yorkshire institution since 1919. Expect smartly dressed servers, polished silver teapots and a menu that doesn't stray far from tradition. If you manage to beat the queue or don't mind the wait, you'll be rewarded with the full afternoon tea experience: dainty finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam. And of course, a parade of miniature cakes arranged neatly on a tiered stand. It's every bit as refined as you'd hope. For a more relaxed or spontaneous option, Harrogate also has a second, less crowded Bettys branch at Harlow Carr Gardens, or you could try Mama Doreen's Emporium, a colorful and creative twist on the classic tea experience with themed treats and a more playful atmosphere. A Harrogate Mystery Worth Revisiting Harrogate's most famous visitor may not have come for the spa, or even the tea. In December 1926, Agatha Christie made headlines across Britain when she disappeared from her home in Surrey, sparking a nationwide search. Harrogate's Old Swan Hotel is something of a tourist attraction thanks to the Agatha Christie disappearance. David Nikel Eleven days later, she was found safe and well at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, living under a false name and seemingly unaware of her own identity. The circumstances remain a mystery to this day. Christie later refused to discuss the incident, but visitors to the Old Swan can still enjoy a drink in the same bar where she once dined during her self-imposed exile. The hotel embraces the connection and even hosts murder mystery nights. Harrogate's Montpellier Quarter Round off your Harrogate day with a stroll through the elegant Montpellier Quarter, just steps from Bettys. This charming district is home to over 50 independent boutiques, galleries, antique emporiums and cafes, offering everything from designer fashion and curated homeware to quirky gifts. Visit the Imagined Things Bookshop, a proudly independent store filled with an eclectic mix of literature and bookish gifts. Nearby, luxe boutiques like Morgan Clare and Farrah's of Harrogate (famous for its traditional blue-and-silver toffee tins since 1840) offer memorable souvenirs and timeless Yorkshire style. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes In Leeds, Shopping Comes With A View By David Nikel Forbes Why Joining Britain's National Trust Is A Travel Bargain By David Nikel Forbes Beyond Windsor, These 5 English Castles Are Must-Visit Treasures By David Nikel
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Indie theatre productions score big in local theatre awards
They may be small, but the independent theatres were the big winners at this year's Betty Mitchell Awards. The Bettys, now in their 26th year, recognize excellence in Calgary's professional theatres. Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers – Makambe K. Simamba's solo show, produced by Toronto's Tarragon Theatre and presented in Calgary by Verb and Handsome Alice theatres – was the big winner. It was named outstanding production of a play, and won Simamba a Betty for outstanding lead performance in a drama, as well as a joint award with Shakeil Rollock for outstanding choreography. Handsome Alice was also the production company behind Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby, Sonia Deleo's solo show about an unwanted pregnancy. Deleo was awarded a Betty for her original composition for the show. Inside Out and Chromatic Theatre's production of Static: A Party Girl's Memoir earned a Betty for Jamie Cesar for outstanding performance in a comedy, while fledgling opera company Ammolite Opera saw Geoffrey Schellenberg take home the award for outstanding supporting performance in a musical. Sage Theatre's production of Mary Stuart saw Javier Vilalta named outstanding director of a drama, while Ghost River Theatre's production of Echoes of the Land won outstanding musical direction for Clarence Wolfleg, Skip Wolfleg, Eric Rose, Kris Demeanor, Jennie Esdale, Cedric Lightning, Alanna Bluechild, Kenna Burima, and Tauran. Legally Blonde, which is a joint production of Theatre Calgary and The Citadel Theatre, picked up Bettys for Kelsey Verzotti for lead performance, Patricia Zentilli for best supporting performance, as well as outstanding production of a musical. Theatre Calgary's production of Awoowaakii won Sable Sweetgrass the award for outstanding new script, as well as Bettys for Marshall Vielle as outstanding lead performance in a comedy, and for John Doucet for his design of the show. The Play that Goes Wrong, which was a joint production of Theatre Calgary, The Citadel and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, took home the Betty for outstanding performance by an ensemble. Alberta Theatre Projects won a Betty for Relamy Kneeshaw's costumes in Charlotte's Web, while its production of The Seafarer earned Christopher Hunt the Betty for outstanding supporting performance in a drama. Vertigo Theatre's The Da Vinci Code won a Betty for Andy Moro's video designs, and its production of The Woman in Black won Narda McCarroll a Betty for her lighting design.
Calgary Herald
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Indie theatre productions score big in local theatre awards
Article content They may be small, but the independent theatres were the big winners at this year's Betty Mitchell Awards. Article content The Bettys, now in their 26th year, recognize excellence in Calgary's professional theatres. Article content Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers – Makambe K. Simamba's solo show, produced by Toronto's Tarragon Theatre and presented in Calgary by Verb and Handsome Alice theatres – was the big winner. It was named outstanding production of a play, and won Simamba a Betty for outstanding lead performance in a drama, as well as a joint award with Shakeil Rollock for outstanding choreography. Article content Article content Handsome Alice was also the production company behind Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby, Sonia Deleo's solo show about an unwanted pregnancy. Deleo was awarded a Betty for her original composition for the show. Article content Article content Inside Out and Chromatic Theatre's production of Static: A Party Girl's Memoir earned a Betty for Jamie Cesar for outstanding performance in a comedy, while fledgling opera company Ammolite Opera saw Geoffrey Schellenberg take home the award for outstanding supporting performance in a musical. Article content Sage Theatre's production of Mary Stuart saw Javier Vilalta named outstanding director of a drama, while Ghost River Theatre's production of Echoes of the Land won outstanding musical direction for Clarence Wolfleg, Skip Wolfleg, Eric Rose, Kris Demeanor, Jennie Esdale, Cedric Lightning, Alanna Bluechild, Kenna Burima, and Tauran. Article content Article content Legally Blonde, which is a joint production of Theatre Calgary and The Citadel Theatre, picked up Bettys for Kelsey Verzotti for lead performance, Patricia Zentilli for best supporting performance, as well as outstanding production of a musical. Article content Theatre Calgary's production of Awoowaakii won Sable Sweetgrass the award for outstanding new script, as well as Bettys for Marshall Vielle as outstanding lead performance in a comedy, and for John Doucet for his design of the show. Article content Article content The Play that Goes Wrong, which was a joint production of Theatre Calgary, The Citadel and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, took home the Betty for outstanding performance by an ensemble. Article content Alberta Theatre Projects won a Betty for Relamy Kneeshaw's costumes in Charlotte's Web, while its production of The Seafarer earned Christopher Hunt the Betty for outstanding supporting performance in a drama. Article content Vertigo Theatre's The Da Vinci Code won a Betty for Andy Moro's video designs, and its production of The Woman in Black won Narda McCarroll a Betty for her lighting design.
Calgary Herald
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Many outstanding plays, actors highlighted in local Betty Award nominations
With 27 nominations, Theatre Calgary is the darling of this year's Bettys nomination committee, who agreed that TC's A Streetcar Named Desire, Alberta Theatre Projects' The Seafarer, Vertigo's The Da Vinci Code, Lunchbox's Go For Gold Audrey Pham!, and Sage's Mary Stuart were highlights of the 2024/25 theatre season. Article content The Bettys, now in their 26th year, recognize excellence in the city's professional theatre houses. Article content Article content TC's musical Legally Blonde is the season's most-nominated show, having received seven nominations. In addition to being named one of six outstanding productions of a musical, Legally Blonde received nominations for actors Kelsey Verzotti, Daniel Fong and Patricia Zentilli, Rachel Cameron for direction, and another for choreography, plus Rebecca Toon for costume designs. Article content Article content Article content Legally Blonde, which is a co-production with Edmonton's Citadel Theatre, is competing with Forte Musical Theatre's Austentatious, Ammolite Opera's Proving Up, Lunchbox and Forte's Twelve Days, and Handsome Alice's Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby for outstanding production of a musical. Article content Theatre Calgary dominates the outstanding production of a play category, with nominations for Awoowaakii, A Streetcar Named Desire – a co-production with the Citadel Theatre, and The Lehman Trilogy. Also competing for this award are Vertigo Theatre's The Woman in Black, and Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers, and Little Brothers – Makambe K. Simamba's solo show presented by Verb and Handsome Alice, which originated in Toronto with Tarragon Theatre. Article content Article content This year's nominees for outstanding performance by an ensemble include Ghost River Theatre's Echoes of a Land, TC's The Lehman Trilogy, ATP's Liars at a Funeral, Vertigo's Murder on the Links, and TC's The Play that Goes Wrong, a co-production with The Citadel and The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Article content Article content Nominated for outstanding lead performance in a drama are Lindsey Angell in A Streetcar Named Desire, Joe Perry in The Woman in Black, Makambe K. Simamba in Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers, and both Lauren Brotman and Norman Lewis in Mary Stuart.
Calgary Herald
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Many outstanding plays highlighted in local Betty Award nominations
With 27 nominations, Theatre Calgary is the darling of this year's Bettys nomination committee, who agreed that TC's A Streetcar Named Desire, Alberta Theatre Projects' The Seafarer, Vertigo's The Da Vinci Code, Lunchbox's Go For Gold Audrey Pham!, and Sage's Mary Stuart were highlights of the 2024/25 theatre season. Article content The Bettys, now in their 26th year, recognize excellence in the city's professional theatre houses. Article content Article content TC's musical Legally Blonde is the season's most-nominated show, having received seven nominations. In addition to being named one of six outstanding productions of a musical, Legally Blonde received nominations for actors Kelsey Verzotti, Daniel Fong and Patricia Zentilli, Rachel Cameron for direction, and another for choreography, plus Rebecca Toon for costume designs. Article content Article content Article content Legally Blonde, which is a co-production with Edmonton's Citadel Theatre, is competing with Forte Musical Theatre's Austentatious, Ammolite Opera's Proving Up, Lunchbox and Forte's Twelve Days, and Handsome Alice's Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby for outstanding production of a musical. Article content Theatre Calgary dominates the outstanding production of a play category, with nominations for Awoowaakii, A Streetcar Named Desire – a co-production with the Citadel Theatre, and The Lehman Trilogy. Also competing for this award are Vertigo Theatre's The Woman in Black, and Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers, and Little Brothers – Makambe K. Simamba's solo show presented by Verb and Handsome Alice, that originated in Toronto with Tarragon Theatre. Article content Article content This year's nominees for outstanding performance by an ensemble include Ghost River Theatre's Echoes of a Land, TC's The Lehman Trilogy, ATP's Liars at a Funeral, Vertigo's Murder on the Links, and TC's The Play that Goes Wrong, a co-production with The Citadel and The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Article content Article content Nominated for outstanding lead performance in a drama are Lindsey Angell in A Streetcar Named Desire, Joe Perry in The Woman in Black, Makambe K. Simamba in Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers, and both Lauren Brotman and Norman Lewis in Mary Stuart. Article content Recognized for their comedic performances this season are Karen Johnson Diamond in Verb Theatre's Every Brilliant Thing, Ashley King in Inside Out and Chromatic Theatre's Static: A Party Girl, Julie Orton in ATP's Charlotte's Web, Mera Reyes in Downstage's The Strategy of War, and Marshall Vielle in TC's Awoowaakii.
