The Stray | Harrogate's Royal Common

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Parks & Gardens

The Stray

Community

Community

Environmental

The Stray is Harrogate's 200 acre Royal common

Formally established in 1778 through the Great Award which set aside 200 acres of heathland to protect Harrogate’s sacred mineral springs, preserve clean air and open ground around the growing spa town.

Stray 12 [Credit George Eglese]

Stray 16 [Credit George Eglese]

Prince of Wales, Stray Harrogate [Credit George Eglese]

1821 Stray Harrogate Map

Pioneering exemplar of landscape protection

Long before the modern language of conservation, The Stray recognised that some landscapes are too valuable to be consumed by development.

In 1778, Harrogate’s source landscape was protected as common ground: a place of water, air, exercise, healing, ceremony and civic identity.

1778 - 2028

In 2028 the Stray will be 250 years old.

We are exploring how the landscape can be restored closer to its original state.

Stray Vision Hookstone Source (Credit-George-Eglese-FONTIS)

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