1, Harrogate to Knaresborough

Journey Overview

The Number 1 bus from Harrogate to Knaresborough is short in distance but rich in transition, moving quickly from spa town formality to river-carved market town character. Leaving Harrogate Bus Station, the journey begins among wide streets, stone buildings and clear evidence of Victorian planning. Customers see the ordered grid of the town centre give way to residential avenues lined with mature trees and large villas, many dating from Harrogate’s late-19th-century expansion.

As the bus heads east, the road gently rises and falls, passing through Starbeck. This area feels distinctly practical, with parades of shops, railway infrastructure and tightly packed housing reflecting its working-town origins. The scenery here is more compact and everyday, with back gardens, allotments and small industrial units appearing between rows of terraces.

Beyond Starbeck, the shift towards Knaresborough becomes more noticeable. Buildings thin out and the road opens slightly, revealing wider skies and glimpses of countryside between housing clusters. Fields appear briefly between hedgerows, and the sense of leaving one town and approaching another becomes clear. Traffic slows at junctions where older road patterns intersect with newer routes, allowing time to observe how the landscape changes in texture and colour.

As the bus approaches Knaresborough, the topography asserts itself. The land dips, and the town reveals its layered form. Customers may glimpse the steep sides of the River Nidd valley before the bus curves into the town centre. Stone buildings become more prominent, streets narrow, and the sense of enclosure increases. The journey ends near Knaresborough’s compact core, where river, cliff and town are tightly bound together. Despite its short length, the route captures a clear geographical and historical shift, making it one of the most satisfying local bus journeys in the area.

A Fab Day Out!

Start your day in Harrogate with breakfast before boarding the bus. Around the Montpellier Quarter and James Street, cafés open early, offering cooked breakfasts, pastries and good coffee in elegant surroundings. Taking time here sets the tone, allowing you to enjoy Harrogate’s calm, ordered atmosphere before moving on.

Board the Number 1 at Harrogate Bus Station and enjoy the short ride through Starbeck towards Knaresborough. On arrival, begin with a walk downhill towards the River Nidd. The change in elevation is immediate and dramatic, and the river path provides a strong sense of place. Walking beneath the viaduct and along the water introduces Knaresborough at its most distinctive.

For lunch, return to the town centre. Tearooms, cafés and traditional pubs cluster within a short distance, many offering views across the river or towards the castle ruins. After lunch, explore the castle grounds and cliff-top paths, taking in views across the valley.