Leeds, York and Harrogate: our 2016 spring adventure!

An almost full coach of SAS members and friends set off on Friday 13th March for our annual Gallery Weekend. This was to see us based at the very comfortable Queens Hotel, situated in Leeds city centre. Packing in as much as possible, our first destination on the journey north was the impressive Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield. This striking building was designed specifically to house a substantial collection of the sculptor’s work, alongside an exhibition explaining her creative processes. A great start to the weekend!

Saturday offered the opportunity to explore the riches of the vibrant and spacious city of Leeds itself, a revelation to those who last visited some 30 plus years ago! Sunday saw us in York with opportunities to visit York Minster, the Railway and Castle museums, its medieval buildings, and eat and shop in the quirky Shambles district, as well as to walk sections of the famous walls in afternoon sunshine.

With the weather remaining kind, Monday, our final day was spent in and around Harrogate. This was looking its usual immaculate self with large blocks of crocus decorating the famous Stray which brings substantial green spaces right into the centre of the town. The gardeners amongst us enjoyed several hours exploring the splendid RHS Gardens at Harlow Carr, just outside the town, again blessed with dry and sunny weather. Having sampled for the final time the delights of Betty’s Tearooms, we boarded our Longmynd coach for a smooth ride home, well satisfied with our visit to Yorkshire.

Thanks go to all who helped in various ways to make it another very enjoyable Gallery Weekend, especially to Alan Townsend whose hard work behind the scenes makes these trips possible. Watch this space for future adventures!