HARROGATE is lovely. The history as a Spa town, the green open spaces on the Stray, the elegant buildings, the beautiful people – visiting from elsewhere in the region it can resemble another country.

Not for nothing has the town beaten the likes of Paris and Rome to be declared one of the most romantic destinations in the world. And it frequently tops tables for the country’s happiest inhabitants or best places to live.

We visited in early February to test a new initiative to encourage sustainable transport. The Open Harrogate campaign has been launched by North Yorkshire County Council as part of the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund. The idea is to get residents and visitors alike to leave their cars behind and walk, cycle and travel by public transport.

A new website and smartphone app have been created in a bid to inspire people to explore the town and enjoy their visit to Harrogate without using fossil fuels.

Enjoyment seemed a pipe dream when the bikes were delivered by Dave, from Nidderdale Cycle Hire, and Phoebe the toddler looked at her child seat with absolute disgust, but once she saw her brothers on their bikes we didn’t even need the chocolate buttons bribe we had packed, just in case.

We had booked into the West Park Hotel, which overlooks the Stray and is a short walk from the town centre. Making use of its wifi, we downloaded the Open Harrogate app and were ready to go. The route we had planned took in the newly-improved cycle and pedestrian path between Hornbeam Park Station and the Great Yorkshire Showground.

We were famished by the time we pulled up for lunch at showground farm shop and cafe, Fodder. The place was very busy and it became clear why when our food arrived. My Yorkshire Slate ploughman’s was spot on, and Sarah’s marinated piri piri chicken burger was also excellent. After a couple of hours of downtime back at the stylish hotel, we walked into the town centre to visit the Royal Pump Room and the Royal Baths.

In the evening, we headed out to the Lucia Wine Bar and Grill for tea. There was a lovely buzzing atmosphere and we didn’t feel at all uncomfortable eating out with three children.

After a good night’s sleep, we enjoyed a superb breakfast in the hotel’s dining room, and ventured out to RHS Garden Harlow Carr, on the edge of Harrogate.

After several hours of play and exploration, we even managed to find room for light refreshments at the on-site Betty’s Tea Room.

People have been heading to Harrogate for rest and recuperation for centuries, but if you want to return home exhausted after plate-loads of good food, fresh air and exercise, it’s not a bad destination either.

FACTFILE
The Willis family stayed at the West Park Hotel, Harrogate, where double rooms cost from £75 a night. For more details, visit thewestparkhotel.com
The cycles were provided by Nidderdale Cycle Hire. One-day cycle hire starts at £15 for an adult bike and £12 for a child’s bike. For more information, visit nidderdalecycles.co.uk
For details on the Open Harrogate initiative, visit openharrogate.co.uk. The Open Harrogate app can be downloaded from the Play Store for Android users and the App Store for Apple devices.