Exhibition marks 200 years of spa town's hospital

An exhibition telling the story of health and wellbeing in Harrogate has opened, marking 200 years since the town welcomed patients to its first hospital.

The Royal Bath Hospital opened on 6 April 1826 and Health in Harrogate: From the First Hospital to the Future looks at Victorian and Edwardian medicine through to modern day healthcare.

People have been "taking the waters" at Harrogate from some of its 88 different springs for more than 450 years in the hope of curing a wide range of ailments.

Using photographs, illustrations, talks and family activities, the exhibition will run at the West Park Centre on the corner of Victoria Avenue until 16 May.

Organisers said there would be a range of events held over six weeks, organised in collaboration with local groups including Harrogate Medical Society, Harrogate Civic Society and Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

On 18 April, there will be a talk from Dr Jed Atkinson, education officer at the Royal Pump Room Museum, exploring the link between earth sciences and social history, they added.

He will talk about the springs which, rather than smelling fresh and clean, are often foul-smelling and rich in salt, sulphur and iron.

In the past, visitors were prescribed different waters much like medicines from a GP, helping Harrogate become a renowned centre for healing and wellbeing.

As well as the exhibition at the West Park Centre, there will also be displays at the Royal Pump Room Museum and Harrogate Library, as well as guided tours in the town.

The Royal Spa Hospital was situated on Cornwall Road, near Valley Gardens. It closed in 1994, and the town is now served by Harrogate District Hospital.

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