Harrogate & Knaresborough Cultural Venues
Find out more about North Yorkshire’s Culture venues, the Mercer Art Gallery and Royal Pump Room Museum in Harrogate, and Knaresborough Castle & Courthouse Museum.
Mercer Art Gallery
Promenade in the footsteps of early spa visitors at the Mercer Art Gallery. Visit the exciting programme of changing exhibitions, from Harrogate’s Fine Art Collection to new shows of contemporary art.
Built 200 years ago as the Promenade Rooms, this magnificent building was a place for spa visitors to socialise. It later became a theatre, then Town Hall, before its rebirth as the Mercer Art Gallery in 1991.
You will find a wide range of ever-changing exhibitions, perhaps a national touring show of painting, photography, sculpture and crafts, or an exhibition drawn from the Harrogate District Fine Art Collection, and contemporary work by regional artists.
Entry is free.
Royal Pump Room Museum
Visit the strongest sulphur wells in Europe, where over 15,000 people used to ‘take the waters’ every summer.
Discover what politicians and famous writers of the 19th and 20th centuries thought of their visits to Harrogate. Stroll past the museum’s displays of old-fashioned shops, a hotel, and Harrogate’s famous park, the Stray, to explore Harrogate’s spa history.
Knaresborough Castle & Courthouse Museum
A stronghold of medieval kings, Knaresborough Castle is beautifully set, overlooking the River Nidd.
It may seem peaceful now, but Knaresborough Castle was once a mighty stronghold of medieval kings. Take in the awe-inspiring views and then discover the dungeon, ancient graffiti and the special King’s Chamber.
Inside the Courthouse Museum you’ll find tales of local characters including Blind Jack, Guy Fawkes and Mother Shipton. You’ll also find the rare, original Tudor court room where suspected criminals faced public trial.
Regular Activities
Mercer Art Gallery
- Mercer Make & Take Family Crafts – Wednesdays during School Holidays
- Gallery Talks – Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 11am & 3pm, during School Holidays
Royal Pump Room Museum
- Museum Collection Object Handling – Thursdays during School Holidays
- Guided Tours – Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10am & 2pm, during School Holidays
Kids free for Half Term! This week Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am until 5pm, children have free entry into museum. On Thursday 31st we have a free object handling drop-in session from our museum team. Also available is our bat hunt trail – find the scary critters in the museum if you dare. No need to book, just turn up! Adults: £4
Knaresborough Castle & Courthouse Museum
- Every day during School Holidays– Hands-on Fun Family Activities in the Courthouse Museum & follow a Museum Trail.
A guided tour of Knaresborough Castle’s secret underground tunnel, kids are free! Once used for sneaking in and out or escaping attacks. No booking required, £3 per adult, with three tours available each day. 12 people per tour, suitable for ages 5+
Key info:
- Free entry and activities at Mercer Art Gallery.
- Activities included with entry price at Royal Pump Room Museum and Knaresborough Castle & Courthouse Museum.
- Please check times and availability directly with the venues before travelling.
Free Kids Entry into Castle & Museum
We’re offering free children’s admission to the Castle and Courthouse Museum, Wednesday to Sunday of October half term. Fun for the whole family, including castle crafting activities, a play kitchen, foam building blocks, a reading corner, and LEGO building. Join us for a new trail – Castles & Cats: History Hunt for All Ages! Also on Friday, 1st November, we’re excited to welcome special guests from Knaresborough Library in our newly refurbished Castle Critters room. Adults: £4 open 10am – 3.30pm
Halloween Make & Take
Join us for a free relaxed, self-led family craft sessions. Take part in some free spooky crafts at the Mercer suitable for children of all ages. Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am until 4pm