The Stray, Harrogate

Is it right for my child?

• Room to run: the council describes 200 acres of open grassland and verges.
• What families do here: North Yorkshire Council says the Stray is a popular spot for picnicking, kite-flying, outdoor games and local football matches.
• Spring colour: six to seven million crocus have been planted in the grass over the years. The council suggests a sunny day from the beginning of March to see them.
• A bit of history: a council appraisal explains that a Stray Act of 1770 set aside 200 acres linking the town’s mineral springs. It was meant to stay open and unenclosed.
• Toddlers: the council’s Stray page does not mention swings, slides or any play equipment.
• Safety: the byelaws refer to parts of the Stray laid out as carriageway. Keep young children close near any road.
• Water: the byelaws ban bathing, wading or washing in any pond, stream or other water on the Stray.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Pick a dry day. The Stray is open grass, and the council page lists no indoor shelter.
• Pack a picnic and drinks. The council’s Stray page does not mention a café, though it says shops are never far away.
• Plan toilet stops. Stray Ponds toilets on York Street open 8am to 6pm from 1 November to 31 March.
• Bring a kite. The byelaws ban flying one in a way that causes danger or gives reasonable grounds for annoyance to others.
• Read the signs before a ball game. Where the council has designated ball-game areas, use them. Do not join an occupied area without the players’ permission.
• Share the space. Nobody else may play on a reserved match area in the 15 minutes before the match.
• No climbing. The byelaws ban climbing trees, walls, fences or railings without reasonable excuse.
• Do not plan a barbecue. The byelaws ban releasing sky lanterns, and fires except at council-permitted events.

Prices and tickets

The council lists no entry charge for the Stray. Section 5 of the Harrogate Stray Act 1985 gives the borough’s inhabitants free access at all times, without payment.

• Fairs and events: the Act lets the council license fairs, circuses, shows and charity events on part of the Stray. Organisers may charge for entry to the fenced area.
• Parking: car park charges are listed under Getting there and parking.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Paths: the council says many of the pathways across all major sections of the Stray have suitable disabled access. It does not describe pushchair routes.
• Toilets on the Stray itself: the council’s Stray page does not name a toilet block. It says the Stray surrounds much of the town, so you will never be far from toilets.
• Stray Ponds toilets, York Street, HG1 5AH: 8am to 8pm from 1 April to 31 October, and 8am to 6pm from 1 November to 31 March. They have disabled facilities.
• Library Gardens toilets, Victoria Avenue, HG1 1EQ: the same seasonal hours, plus an overnight unisex toilet and disabled facilities.
• Baby changing: neither toilet page mentions baby changing.
• Christmas: the toilet pages give no Christmas or New Year closure dates.

Food and drink

The council’s Stray page does not mention a café or kiosk on the Stray. It says the Stray is a popular picnic spot and that you will never be far from shops.

Getting there and parking

• Address: the council lists the Stray at West Park, Harrogate, HG1 1BJ. The Stray surrounds much of the town.
• No parking on the grass: parking is not allowed on any part of the Stray grassland or verges, except in marked areas at organised events. Motorhomes may not park on the Stray overnight.
• West Park car park, HG1 1HS: 50 spaces, open 24 hours, with a 4 hour maximum stay. Charges apply 8am to midnight: £1 for 1 hour, £2.10 for 2 hours, £3.10 for 3 hours and £4.10 for 4 hours. Motorcycles and disabled users park free. Pay on arrival and enter your registration.
• West Park multi-storey, Tower Street, HG1 1HS: 343 spaces, open 7.15am to 9.30pm daily. It costs £0.80 for 1 hour, £1.50 for 2 hours and £3.80 for 4 hours. Pay on arrival and enter your registration. It is locked overnight, with a £60 release fee.
• Blue Badge holders: free at the multi-storey, and for up to 4 hours at West Park car park. Display the badge clearly.
• On-street parking: Harrogate town centre has inner and outer pay and display zones. Charges apply 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sunday. Some restrictions, such as double yellow lines, still apply outside charging hours.
• Public transport: the council says you are never far from public transport. It does not give specific bus routes or walking times.

When to visit

• All year: the council’s Stray page lists no opening hours or closure dates. The Act gives local people free access at all times.
• November and December 2026: the council’s Stray page lists no Christmas or New Year events or closures on the Stray. Stray Ponds toilets keep winter hours of 8am to 6pm until 31 March 2027.
• Crocus season: the council suggests a sunny day from the beginning of March.
• Fairs: two fairs take place each year on Oatlands Drive Stray, over the Spring bank holiday and the August bank holiday.
• Circuses: these happen periodically, and the council says any circus it authorises will be a non-animal event. No dates are published on its Stray page.

Additional needs and disability support

The council’s access information for the Stray is brief.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Stray in Harrogate free?

The council lists no entry charge. The Harrogate Stray Act 1985 gives the borough’s inhabitants free access to enjoy recreation on the Stray without payment. Licensed events on a fenced part of the Stray may charge for entry.

Is there a playground on the Stray?

The council’s Stray page does not mention a playground or play equipment. It describes the Stray as open grassland used for picnics, kite-flying, outdoor games and football.

Are there toilets on the Stray in Harrogate?

The Stray page says you will never be far from toilets but does not name one. The council lists Stray Ponds toilets on York Street, open 8am to 6pm from November to March.

Can you fly a kite on the Stray?

Yes. The council names kite-flying as a popular activity. The byelaws say you must not fly one in a way that causes danger or gives reasonable grounds for annoyance.

When are the crocuses out on the Stray?

The council suggests a sunny day from the beginning of March. Six to seven million crocus have been planted in the grass over the years.

Where do you park for the Stray in Harrogate?

You cannot park on the grass or verges, except in marked areas at organised events. The council lists West Park car park, with a 4 hour maximum stay, and West Park multi-storey on Tower Street. On-street parking is also available.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official North Yorkshire Council pages for The Stray, Harrogate, the Stray byelaws, the Harrogate Stray Act 1985, Stray Ponds toilets, Library Gardens toilets, West Park car park, West Park multi-storey, street parking and the council’s 2009 Harrogate conservation area appraisal. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.