Holy PETE! It's June!
Do we still have any interest in this meeting? Cinbin (and unfortunately me - unplanned trip to Italy) and I are both traveling this weekend, but I can heartily recommend the gardens having been there a little over a week ago with the Grammas. The Rhododendrons are in full, glorious bloom, the new Alpine house is really interesting, and the rest of the gardens are really and truly spectacular.
There are buses from Harrogate train station that will take you out to the garden, or you can make the walk (about 25-30mins, depending on your pace) across Valley Gardens.