Harrogate was a collection of small farming villages until the discovery of a mineral spring in Bilton-with-Harrogate in 1571. Development was rapid and by 1596, the newly found Harrogate Well was described as 'the English Spa'. Harrogate was the first place in Britain to be called 'spa'.

Harrogate's White Hart Hotel probably originated with visitors to both the Old Sulphar Well and Cold Bath Road's cold well. The Hotel's first mention was in the 1730's when it was a long, low, 2 storey structure.

In 1778, the creation of Harrogate's Stray, 200 acres of grassland to the immediate south of the building's frontage was of great advantage. Towards the end of the 18th century the Hotel was an important stop on coaching routes.

As the Victorian age progressed, Harrogate enjoyed the new science of hydrotherapy and mass transportation in the form of the railway. Harrogate's principal attraction, the Pump Room, was overlooked by the White Hart Hotel. By 1847 major construction was undertaken and a new building stood on the site; one which was described as 'the best building in Harrogate' by an architect of the day.

The outbreak of World War II in 1939 saw many Harrogate hotels requestioned by the Government, our Hotel being no exception. It was occupied by the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Works.

Following the war, the Minister of Health visited Harrogate. He recommended that, along with another hotel, the White Hart Hotel became annex hospitals for the Royal Baths. The history of involvement with the NHS resulted in the Hotel becoming the NHS's only property for conferences.

To this day it is a still a major conference Hotel but fulfills its historic function in serving visitors to Harrogate as it has done for over two centuries.