View source for Harrow, London

{{short description|Town in Greater London, England}}
{{for-multi|the larger local government district|London Borough of Harrow|the historic part|Harrow on the Hill|other uses|Harrow (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| region                   = London
| population               = 149,246
| population_ref           = ([[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]])<ref name="auto8">Harrow consists of 13 wards in the London Borough of Harrow: Greenhill, Harrow on the Hill, Harrow Weald, Headstone North, Headstone South, Kenton East, Kenton West, Marlborough, Rayners Lane, Roxbourne, Roxeth, Wealdstone, and West Harrow. {{cite web|url=http://data.london.gov.uk/2011-census-ward-pop |title=2011 Ward Census |access-date=9 June 2014 |website=data.london.gov.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222202755/http://data.london.gov.uk/2011-census-ward-pop |archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref>
| static_image_name        = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = St John the Baptist, Sheepcote Road, Harrow - geograph.org.uk - 1698728.jpg
| photo2a = Hygeia Building and King's House, Harrow.jpg
|photo2b=Skipping Katie cropped.jpg
|photo3a=University of Westminster, Harrow.jpg
| spacing = 3
| size = 266
|color = white
| foot_montage = Clockwise from top: St. John the Baptist C of E Church, Greenhill; Skipping Katie statue; University of Westminster; Hygeia Building and King's House}}
| official_name            = Harrow
| london_borough           = Harrow
| constituency_westminster = [[Harrow East (UK Parliament constituency)|Harrow East]]<br />[[Harrow West (UK Parliament constituency)|Harrow West]]
| post_town                = HARROW
| postcode_district        = HA1, HA2, HA3
| postcode_area            = HA
| dial_code                = 020
| os_grid_reference        = TQ145885
| coordinates              = {{coord|51.5836|-0.3464|display=inline,title}}
| charingX_distance_mi     = 11
| charingX_direction       = ESE
| population_demonym       = [[wikt:Special:Search/harrovian|Harrovian]]
}}
'''Harrow''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ær|oʊ}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Wells|first=John C.|year=2008|title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary|edition=3rd|publisher=Longman|page=368|isbn=9781405881180}}</ref>) is a large town in [[Greater London]], England, and serves as the principal settlement of the [[London Borough of Harrow]]. Lying about {{convert|9.5|mi}} north-west of [[Charing Cross]] and {{convert|5.4|mi}} south of [[Watford]], the entire town including its localities<ref>[[Harrow on the Hill]], [[Harrow Weald]], [[Headstone, London|Headstone]], [[North Harrow]], [[Kenton, London|Kenton]], [[Rayners Lane]], [[South Harrow]], [[Wealdstone]] and [[West Harrow]].</ref> had a population of 149,246 at the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]], whereas the wider borough (which also contains [[Pinner]] and [[Stanmore]]) had a population of 250,149.

The original settlement was at [[Harrow on the Hill]], atop the {{convert|408|ft|m}} Harrow Hill. The modern town centre of Harrow developed at the foot of the hill, in an area historically called [[Greenhill, Harrow|Greenhill]], following the opening of [[Harrow-on-the-Hill station]] on the [[Metropolitan Railway]] in 1880.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patfield.com/heathfield/|title=Heathfield School Harrow|website=Patfield.com}}</ref> Harrow became the unofficial "capital" of the [[Metro-land|Metroland]] suburbia in the early 20th century.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/sep/10/metroland-100-years-england-original-vision-suburbia|title=Metroland, 100 years on: what's become of England's original vision of suburbia?|first=Adam|last=Forrest|date=10 September 2015|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> [[Harrow & Wealdstone station]] on the [[West Coast Main Line]] had opened in 1837, but was more distant from Harrow, lying {{convert|1.5|miles|km}} north of the hill.<ref>{{Cite web| website=Oldest.org|url=https://www.oldest.org/technology/train-stations/|title=10 Oldest Train Stations in the World|date=10 September 2020}}</ref> Workers were drawn to the area by the opening of several factories in [[Wealdstone]];<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/1upC0mKBRgydCbnYm6u4Hw|title=BBC - A History of the World - Object : Whitefriars Glass|work=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> Harrow was the base of the large [[Kodak Harrow|Kodak factory]], used for the manufacture of photographic materials and [[Research and development|R&D]], which was in operation for more than a century.

[[Historic counties of England|Historically]] in the [[Hundred (country subdivision)|hundred]] of [[Gore Hundred|Gore]] in the county of [[Middlesex]], Harrow became part of Greater London in 1965. Today, the historic area is distinguished as [[Harrow on the Hill]] and is a conservation area with [[listed building]]s of [[Georgian architecture]] and home to [[Harrow School]], one of the seven major boys' boarding schools in England as defined by the [[Public Schools Act 1868]]. The modern-day town meanwhile is an established commercial centre of outer north-west London and houses a campus of the [[University of Westminster]].

== Etymology ==
Harrow's name comes from [[Old English language|Old English]] ''hearg'', '(heathen) temple', which was probably on the hill of Harrow, where [[St Mary's Church, Harrow on the Hill|St. Mary's Church]] now stands.<ref>Room, Adrian: "Dictionary of Place-Names in the British Isles", Bloomsbury, 1988. {{ISBN|0-7475-0170-X}}</ref> The name has been studied in detail by [[Keith Briggs (mathematician)|Keith Briggs]].<ref>Briggs, Keith "Harrow", Journal of the English Place-name Society, volume 42 (2010), 43–64</ref>

The original Greenhill hamlet derived its name from either an unidentified local green hill, or was imported from a manorial surname.<ref>J. E. B. Gover et al., The place-names of Middlesex, English Place-Name Society 1942, p.52.</ref> It was not recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] but was mentioned as early as 1334 as ''Grenehulle''. In addition, one or more families bearing the ''Greenhulle'' or ''Greenhill'' surname lived there from at least 1247, and are likely to have taken their name from this location.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol4/pp172-198|title=Harrow, including Pinner: The growth of the hamlets &#124; British History Online|work=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> The name Greenhill survives and the local council has continued the name by using it for Greenhill Way, a road which by-passes the mainly-pedestrianised and modernised shopping area based around College Road and St Anns Road. The name is also still used for the local [[electoral ward]].

It is possible that Greenhill went by an even older name, ''Norbury'', c.1300, but the hamlet of Norbury has not been identified with certainty. The name may have been correspondent to [[Sudbury, London|Sudbury]], being north of what was then Harrow Hill.<ref name="auto5"/>

==History==
{{see also|Harrow on the Hill}}
[[File:Headstone Manor,exterior view.jpg|thumb|Grade I listed [[Headstone Manor]]]]
The modern town centre of Harrow was formerly known as Greenhill, and was a small [[hamlet (place)|hamlet]] of farms at the foot of Harrow Hill. For almost a millennium, the centre of Harrow was atop the hill, but this began to change during the 19th century. Circa 1852, the village had 8 houses, 17 cottages, and one inn, with 141 people.<ref name="auto5"/> This area was part of the [[hundred (country subdivision)|hundred]] of [[Gore Hundred|Gore]], in the historic county of [[Middlesex]]. In 1850 a [[Local board of health|local board district]] was established for the central part of the [[ancient parish]] of Harrow on the Hill, including the old village and the adjoining hamlets of Greenhill, [[Roxeth]], and [[Sudbury, London|Sudbury]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lawes |first1=Edward |title=The Act for promoting the Public Health, with notes |date=1851 |publisher=Shaw and Sons |location=London |pages=264–265 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MRJXAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA264 |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>

===Urban development===
[[File:Church of St John the Baptist Greenhill 1C.png|thumb|Grade II listed St John's Greenhill church originally served the hamlet of Greenhill - parts of the original building were demolished in 1905; today it is located in town on Sheepcote Road<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/e2967a12-7d54-467c-acea-026f01768778 |title = St. John the Baptist, Greenhill: Sheepcote Road, Harrow|website=National Archives}}</ref>]]
By 1865, a series of roads had been built in Greenhill, including College, Roxborough, Kymberley, Headstone, Clarendon, Byron and St Anns - but few houses.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web | url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol4/pp172-198 |title = Harrow, including Pinner : The growth of the hamlets &#124;|website=British History Online}}</ref> A [[parish]] church, St John's Church, was built in 1866 on a farm and Greenhill subsequently became a separate [[ecclesiastical parish]] in 1896. The church building has been [[Grade II]] listed since 1994.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101254900-church-of-st-john-the-baptist-greenhill-ward |title = Church of St John the Baptist, Greenhill, London}}</ref> The [[Metropolitan Railway]] connection dates from 1880 with the building of [[Harrow-on-the-Hill station]], which led to a housebuilding boom<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cityam.com/focus-harrow-why-north-west-london-suburb-popular-families/ |title = Focus on Harrow: Why this north west London suburb is popular with families and first time buyers|date = 24 June 2016}}</ref> and a population of 4,892 by 1902.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.stjohnsharrow.org/about-us/our-history/ | title=St Johns Harrow » Our History }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Developments westward along the railway in the [[Headstone, London|Headstone]] and [[Pinner]] as well as Roxborough and [[Wealdstone]] engulfed Greenhill with new developments, and soon enough there was nothing left of the original village.<ref name="auto4"/>

[[File:Grove Hill, Harrow.jpg|thumb|Looking towards Grove Hill - behind the photographer was the scene of the 1899 car accident]].
In 1899, the junction of Grove Hill and Lowlands Road is said to have been the scene of Britain's first fatal car accident.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://hidden-london.com/gazetteer/harrow-on-the-hill/ |title = Harrow on the Hill &#124; Hidden London}}</ref>  There is a plaque to commemorate this at the top of Grove Hill where it meets the High Street and Peterborough Hill.

In Greenhill, there was a workmen's club from the 1860s and a public hall, Victoria Hall, by 1888.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web | url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol4/pp234-237 |title = Harrow, including Pinner : Social history &#124; British History Online}}</ref>

The [[Local Government Act 1894]] converted local board districts such as Harrow on the Hill into [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]]. The new town centre which had grown up around the station became known simply as Harrow to distinguish it from the original hilltop village. The name of the urban district which contained both places remained Harrow on the Hill until 1934 when the district was enlarged and renamed just Harrow. The Harrow Urban District was incorporated to become a [[municipal borough]] in 1954, with the same area becoming the [[London Borough of Harrow]] on being transferred from Middlesex to Greater London in 1965.<ref name="auto1"/> One of the oldest surviving buildings in what is today Harrow is the Grade I listed [[Headstone Manor]] from the 15th century.

Harrow contributed to the growing photographic industry in the UK; a large industrial premises was built in 1890 by the American [[Eastman Kodak]] company in [[Wealdstone]], and by 1965 there were over 100 buildings on a 55-acre site at [[Kodak Harrow]], employing 5,500 people,<ref name="auto11">{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iE_7CgAAQBAJ | title=London Boroughs at 50| isbn=9781785900112| last1=Travers| first1=Tony| date=24 November 2015| publisher=Biteback}}</ref> including a research centre. This facility operated for 125 years. The long chimney has been a landmark in Harrow ever since.<ref name="metro.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/newspaper/|title=Metro Newspaper has a new online home &#124; Metro UK|website=Metro}}</ref>

[[File:NatWest Harrow Grade II listed building.jpg|thumb|315 Station Road, Grade II listed building designed by [[Banister Fletcher (junior)|Sir Banister Fletcher]] in 1915, which houses a [[NatWest]] bank today]]
In 1914, a major [[department store]] named Sopers opened on Station Road. The site became a [[Debenhams]] store;<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FuIgCwAAQBAJ | title=Harrow Through Time| isbn=9781445637426| last1=Walter| first1=Don| date=15 October 2015| publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited}}</ref> it closed in May 2021 after the collapse of the Debenham's chain.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reaidi|first=Joseph|date=13 September 2021|url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/19578070.harrows-debenhams-replacement-landmark-will-open/|title=When Harrow's Debenhams replacement, The Landmark, will open|work=Harrow Times|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> Its [[facade]] dated from the 1960s.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |url=https://www.harrow.gov.uk/downloads/file/26937/characterisation-study-of-harrow-2011 |title=Characterisation study of Harrow 2011 |access-date=27 March 2020 |archive-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427105937/https://www.harrow.gov.uk/downloads/file/26937/characterisation-study-of-harrow-2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the inter-war period Harrow had grown into a suburb.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5NQhXsuCCTgC&pg=PA159 |title = Geographical Excursions in London|isbn = 9780761803287|last1 = Gayler|first1 = Hugh J.|year = 1996| publisher=University Press of America }}</ref> Almost two-thirds of housing stock in the present day Borough of Harrow dates back to the interwar period.<ref name="auto3"/>

====Railway accidents====
The modern town of Harrow and much of the borough overall has been defined historically by the growth of the railways, as Harrow expanded and saw housing developments as a result of the building of the [[Metropolitan Railway]] into what was, in early Victorian times, the rural areas to the north-west of London. The borough now has many railway stations.

Harrow has been the location of several serious train accidents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harrowonline.org/2016/08/31/metro-land-the-birth-of-modern-harrow/|title=Metro-land: The Birth of Modern Harrow|website=Harrow Online|date=31 August 2016}}</ref> 
On 7 August 1838, Thomas Port died from injuries received in a [[Harrow train accident 1838|train accident near Harrow]]. His gravestone in the parish churchyard of [[St Mary's Church, Harrow on the Hill|St Mary's]], Harrow-on-the-Hill, states: "To the memory of Thomas Port, son of John Port of Burton-upon-Trent in the County of Stafford, Hat Manufacturer, who near this town had both legs severed from his body by the railway train. With great fortitude, he bore a second amputation by the surgeons and died from loss of blood, August 7th 1838, aged 33 years."
On 26 November 1870, two trains collided at [[Harrow & Wealdstone station]], killing 9 and injuring 44.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventsummary.php?eventID=37|title=Accident at Harrow on 26th November 1870 :: The Railways Archive|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref>
On 8 October 1952, [[Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash|three trains collided]] at Harrow & Wealdstone station, killing 112 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/8/newsid_3075000/3075197.stm|title=1952: Many die as three trains crash at Harrow|date=8 October 2002|work=BBC News|access-date=23 September 2018}}</ref> Of the dead, 64 were railway employees on their way to work. This is the greatest loss of life in any United Kingdom railway accident in peacetime.

===Battle of Britain===
Although [[The Blitz]] is generally claimed to have started on 7 September 1940, many sources state that one of the earliest bombing raid from the [[Luftwaffe]] occurred in Harrow and Wealdstone on 22 August 1940. It caused damage to cinemas, houses and a bank, but with no fatalities.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://londonist.com/london/history/where-did-the-first-bomb-of-ww2-strike-london|title=Where Did The First Bomb Of The Second World War Strike London?|date=11 January 2017|website=Londonist}}</ref> Although Harrow was then in [[Middlesex]], it was classed as a London area by the civil defence as it came under the jurisdiction of the [[Metropolitan Police]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.battleofbritain1940.net/0029.html|title=August 19th - August 24th 1940|website=www.battleofbritain1940.net}}</ref> The very first air raid on the present day London area is believed to be the accidental bombing of [[Croydon Airport]] on 15 August 1940, which was then in [[Surrey]].<ref name="auto"/>

===Post-war===
The town was part of the [[Harrow Urban District]], a district council within the county of [[Middlesex]], from 1934 until 1965, which also included parts of [[Edgware]], [[Hendon]], [[Wembley]] and [[Pinner]]. The [[London Borough of Harrow]] was formed in 1965 as the only London borough unaffected by boundary changes.<ref name="auto11"/>

{{wide image|Harrow Civic Centre.jpg|600px|[[Harrow Civic Centre]], built in 1972}}

By the 1950s, Harrow was described as the "capital city of [[Metro-land]]".<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.onlondon.co.uk/election-2017-gareth-thomas-20-year-guardian-of-labour-progress-in-multicultural-harrow-west-has-a-hard-survival-fight-on-his-hands/ | title=Election 2017: Gareth Thomas, 20-year guardian of Labour progress in multicultural Harrow West, has a hard survival fight on his hands| date=31 May 2017}}</ref> The borough's council [[Harrow Civic Centre|Civic Centre]] building complex was built in 1970–1972, opened 6 May 1973, on Station Road in [[Wealdstone]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.sitematchuk.com/news/7953/Featured-council-London-Borough-of-Harrow | title=Arrange meetings with councils and public bodies to discuss development sites in London - Sitematch}}</ref> Six storeys high and designed by architect Eric Broughton, the building is considered "outdated and costly" in 2018 and was expected to be imminently redeveloped.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jessel|first=Ella| url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/gort-scott-wins-planning-for-harrow-councils-centrepiece-civic-centre/10034300.article |title = Gort Scott wins planning for Harrow Council's 'centrepiece' civic centre|work=Architects Journal|date = 16 August 2018}}</ref> Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, many new office blocks were built in the town, especially in Lyon Road and the western end of College Road.<ref name="auto3"/>

In 1974, the Kodak Mural designed by [[Pentagram]] was completed on the first floor of the recently opened Civic Centre. It contains almost one thousand photographic tiles representing Harrow and designed to commemorate the town and borough's links with Kodak.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tilesoc.org.uk/tile-gazetteer/harrow.html|title = Tile Gazetteer - London Harrow - TACS}}</ref>

[[File:Havelock Place.jpg|thumb|Town centre pedestrianised in the 1980s (Havelock Place)]]
[[File:Hygeia building sculpture 1.jpg|thumb|Statue of [[Hygeia]] on the Hygeia Building]]
The town underwent regeneration in the 1980s with the building of a bus station in College Road and the [[pedestrianisation]] of St Anns Road. A statue called "Skipping Katie" was unveiled by the local council in May 1987 to celebrate the completion of the pedestrianisation. The landmark was designed by [[James Butler (artist)|James Butler]] inspired by watching his daughter [[Skipping rope|skip]].<ref name="auto9">{{Cite web | url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/9683940.katie-statue-celebrates-25-years-anniversary/ |title = 'Katie' statue celebrates 25 years anniversary| date=2 May 2012 }}</ref> A plaque on Katie was unveiled in 2004 by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and the [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]] to mark the 50th anniversary of the London Borough of Harrow.<ref name="auto9"/>

In the autumn of 1987, [[Diana, Princess of Wales]] visited Harrow, where she officially opened the new [[St Anns (shopping centre)|St Anns]] shopping centre amid a large crowd of locals.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-princess-diana-opens-st-anns-shopping-centre-1987-1987-online |title = Watch Princess Diana Opens St Ann's Shopping Centre 1987}}</ref> Located opposite the central train station on College Road, the centre was built on demolished buildings including [[Heathfield School, Pinner|Heathfield School for Girls]], which moved away to [[Pinner]] in 1982.<ref name="auto10">{{Cite web | url=https://harrowonline.org/2018/05/08/george-and-ann-a-brief-history/ |title = George and Ann, A Brief History|date = 8 May 2018}}</ref>

Nearby St Anns shopping centre, another indoor retail outlet was built which was opened as [[St George's Shopping Centre (Harrow)|St George's Shopping and Leisure Centre]] on [[St George's Day]] in 1996. The town's [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths]] store on Station Road closed and was replaced by a new branch inside St George's.<ref name="auto10"/><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://harrowonline.org/2019/03/27/back-in-1996-st-georges-shopping-centre-was-very-different/ |title = Back in 1996, St George's Shopping Centre Was Very Different!|date = 27 March 2019}}</ref> Other landmarks built during the decade include the Hygeia building in 1991,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prime Town Centre Offices To Let Hygeia |url=http://docs.novaloca.com/26_6641_636886061704610000.pdf |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=Avison Young}}</ref> which has an erected golden coloured sculpture of Roman goddess [[Hygeia]] facing the bus station. Furthermore, in 1991, Lower Mead stadium on Station Road, the home of [[Wealdstone F.C.]], was sold to [[Tesco]] and demolished. In its place a new large Tesco superstore was built.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.wfchistory.com/potted-history/ | title=Potted History| date=13 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wealdstones-tale-of-woe-non-league-notebook-1557741.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wealdstones-tale-of-woe-non-league-notebook-1557741.html |archive-date=9 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title = Football: Wealdstone's tale of woe: Non-league notebook|website = [[Independent.co.uk]]|date = 16 October 1992}}</ref>

===21st century===
[[File:Bradstowe House seen from the roundabout.jpg|thumb|Bradstowe House, one of the 21st century developments]]
The town centre has undergone a new wave of redevelopment. In 2011, the one-way single lane section of Station Road was widened to allow two-way bus traffic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harrow Town Centre Station Road Project |url=https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/%28S%28z0uow4nqytullvzho2gzihuz%29%29/documents/s68659/Harrow%20Town%20Centre%20-%20Station%20Rd%20Project%20Appendix%20C.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801115331/https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/(S(z0uow4nqytullvzho2gzihuz))/documents/s68659/Harrow%20Town%20Centre%20-%20Station%20Rd%20Project%20Appendix%20C.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2020 |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=Harrow Council}}</ref> The 11 storey luxury apartments of Bradstowe House were completed in 2016 after long delays.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/9950734.bradstowe-house-eyesore-in-harrow-on-verge-of-sale/ |title = Bradstowe House 'eyesore' on verge of sale| date=26 September 2012 }}</ref> Former office buildings on Lyon Road (including Coal House, once belonging to the [[National Coal Board]]) have been regenerated into new mixed use buildings in the 2010s, whereas on Pinner Road behind St George's centre a new eight storey development called Trident Point was built which includes a [[Morrisons]] supermarket opened in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/morrisons-harrow-store-opens-9am-5969933|title=Morrisons' Harrow store opens at 9am on March 11|first=Ian|last=Proctor|date=27 February 2013|website=getwestlondon}}</ref> The former post-office sorting building on College Road, next to the train station, remained vacant for some years until plans for a 19-storey skyscraper were approved by the council in 2015. The development, called Harrow Square, was partly completed with 318 apartments across four buildings in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harrow Square, Bond Apartments, Harrow, HA1 1BE |url=http://www.fraser.hk.com/images/exhibition/fact_sheets/harrowsquare_factsheet.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818232910/http://www.fraser.hk.com:80/images/exhibition/fact_sheets/harrowsquare_factsheet.pdf |archive-date=18 August 2019 |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=Fraser & Co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hyde-housing.co.uk/news/building-homes/topping-out-ceremony-at-harrow-square/|title=Topping out ceremony at Harrow Square|website=The Hyde Group}}</ref> It includes a bottom floor {{convert|1450|m2|sqft}} library still under construction which will replace the current Gayton Library on St John's Road.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/12864216.campaign-to-fight-inappropriate-college-road-housing-development/ |title = 'It looks like a load of old shoeboxes' - campaigners say new homes will ruin view| date=April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/17275146.gayton-library-to-be-relocated-as-part-of-new-scheme/ |title = Town centre to get 'bigger and better' library| date=4 December 2018 }}</ref> The building next to it, formerly First National House,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/10663671.concerns-raised-by-campaign-for-better-harrow-environment-over-conversion-of-office-blocks-into-flats/ |title = Concerns raised over conversion of office blocks into flats| date=9 September 2013 }}</ref> has been refurbished into luxury apartments called The Hub.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.thehubharrow.com/ |title = The Hub Harrow}}</ref>

The borough received a £1 million grant from the [[Mayor of London]] that will go towards a new public square and a "pop-up test eatery" at the site of the former Cumberland Hotel on Lyon Road, expected to be completed by 2020.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/16077702.pop-up-restaurant-to-open-in-new-square-lyon-road-harrow/#comments-anchor | title='Pop-up restaurant' to act as test bed for future food businesses| date=10 March 2018}}</ref> The 1930s [[art deco]] facade of the Safari Cinema, which has been hidden since the 1960s, is set to be restored from 2020.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/art-deco-gem-restored-to-former-glory-exterior-of-thirties-cinema-building-in-harrow-could-be-a132746.html |title = Art Deco cinema in north London could be restored to former glory|date = 14 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/17915943.developer-vows-restore-1936-art-deco-facade-harrows-safari-cinema/ |title = Developer to restore cinema's 1936 art deco façade| date=22 September 2019 }}</ref> The council aims to invest over a billion pounds in the town centres of Harrow and [[Wealdstone]] and the Station Road corridor in between.<ref name="auto7">{{Cite web |title=Harrow and Wealdstone Area Action Plan Final |url=https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/documents/s108616/HarrowandWealdstoneAreaActionPlan.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325194223/https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/documents/s108616/HarrowandWealdstoneAreaActionPlan.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=Harrow Council}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Bessborough Road Harrow.jpg|thumb|View of Harrow Hill and the spire of St Mary's Church from Bessborough Road, Harrow]]
The borough of Harrow has a leafy, suburban character, much of which is a legacy of it being at the centre of the [[Metro-land|Metroland]] developments of the early 20th century.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/documents/s95601/Core%20Strategy.pdf |title=Harrow Core Strategy Final<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=30 March 2020 |archive-date=6 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906214727/http://www2.harrow.gov.uk/documents/s95601/Core%20Strategy.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The town centre is about {{convert|220|ft}} above sea level, almost {{convert|200|ft|m}} below the top of [[Harrow on the Hill|Harrow Hill]], which is an outlying knoll.<ref name=mills>Mills, A., ''Dictionary of London Place Names'', (2001)</ref> The hill is half a mile south of the town centre, and the settlement contains historic architecture and has a village atmosphere.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.westminster.ac.uk/international/neighbourhood-guide-harrow-on-the-hill/|title=Neighbourhood Guide: Harrow on the Hill|last=Wink|first=Bri|date=25 January 2017|website=International Student Blog {{!}}|language=en-US|access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref> The steep climb towards the hill is clearly visible from Lowlands Road. Other parts of Harrow are not as affluent but are still mostly leafy, particularly the northern part called [[Harrow Weald]]. The rural northern slopes of Harrow, around [[Harrow Weald Common]], are part of the [[Green Belt]] and contain a conservation area<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wN_H-__MBpYC&pg=PA386 |title = The London Encyclopaedia|isbn = 9781405049245|last1 = Hibbert|first1 = Christopher|last2 = Weinreb|first2 = Ben|last3 = Keay|first3 = Julia|last4 = Keay|first4 = John|year = 2008| publisher=Macmillan }}</ref> and a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI) adjacent to another SSSI called [[Bentley Priory Nature Reserve]] which comes under [[Stanmore]]. The area also has the highest elevation in Harrow, as high as {{convert|492|ft|m}} above sea level.

[[File:Harrow Hill from Watford Road.jpg|thumb|The Harrow School Farm looking north from Watford Road; St Mary's Church spire at the top of Harrow Hill is in the background]]
There is also agricultural land close by the town, on fields at the eastern side of Harrow on the Hill, on Watford Road. This open farmland is only half a mile away from Harrow's town centre and is adjacent to [[Northwick Park Hospital]] and [[Northwick Park]] open space. The farm borders Harrow Park and other open spaces and golf courses that are within Harrow on the Hill; other open spaces include: The Grove open space and Harrow Recreation Ground near the town centre; [[West Harrow]] Recreation Ground; [[Kenton, London|Kenton]] Recreation Ground; Alexandra Park in [[South Harrow]]; Newton Park in [[Rayners Lane]]; Byron Recreation Ground in [[Wealdstone]]; and the grounds of [[Headstone Manor]].

Much of [[Kenton, London|Kenton]], and before 1716 all of [[Pinner]], were parts of Harrow. Pinner is now a separate district within the borough of Harrow. [[Harrow Weald]] is the district north of [[Wealdstone]], and both of these are historically also part of Harrow. It is the principal settlement of the London Borough of Harrow, which also includes the towns of Pinner and [[Stanmore]].

The [[HA postcode area|Harrow postcode area]] covers the entire borough and stretches into neighbouring boroughs: west into [[Ruislip]] and [[Northwood, London|Northwood]], and east to [[Edgware]] and [[Wembley]]. The postcodes for Harrow town itself are HA1, HA2 and HA3.

[[File:Harrow 15 mile radius.png|thumb|left|15 mile radius map from Harrow]]
Harrow is {{convert|1.9|mi}} from Pinner, {{convert|2.7|mi}} each from Wembley, Stanmore and Northolt, and {{convert|3.6|mi}} from Ruislip.

{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Neighbouring areas of Harrow (central)'''
|state=expanded
|width=auto
|Northwest = [[North Harrow]], [[Headstone, London|Headstone]], [[Pinner]]
|North = [[Wealdstone]], [[Harrow Weald]]
|Northeast = [[Kenton, London|Kenton]], [[Belmont, Harrow|Belmont]], [[Canons Park]]
|West = [[West Harrow]], [[Rayners Lane]], [[Eastcote]]
|Centre = Harrow, London
|East = [[Kenton, London|Kenton]], [[Kingsbury, London|Kingsbury]]
|Southwest = [[South Harrow]], [[Northolt]], [[South Ruislip]]
|South = [[Harrow on the Hill]], [[Sudbury, London|Sudbury]], [[North Greenford]]
|Southeast = [[North Wembley]], [[Preston, London|Preston]]
}}

==Economy==
[[File:Department store, Harrow - geograph.org.uk - 99134.jpg|thumb|Station Road in Harrow, with the former Debenhams department store on the left hand side (due to become The Landmark from October 2021)]]
Central Harrow forms a commercial hub in the north-west of Greater London, with many retail outlets and commercial offices, and increasingly residential apartments in more recent regeneration schemes. Harrow is classified as one of 13 metropolitan centres in the [[London Plan]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/the_london_plan_malp_march_2016_-_annex_2_-_londons_town_centre_network.pdf |title=The London Plan |publisher=Greater London Authority |year=2016 |location=London |pages=382 |language=en}}</ref>

The area has two shopping centres, [[St Anns (shopping centre)|St Anns]] and [[St George's Shopping Centre (Harrow)|St George's]], containing [[chain store]]s typical of British high streets. There are also parades of shops throughout Station Road and the ascending, traditional College Road, and over {{convert|300|m|ft}} of a fully [[pedestrian zone|pedestranised]] shopping/café streets roads (north of St Anns). A large [[Debenhams]] department store ({{convert|16200|sqm|sqft|order=flip}} of floorspace)<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2013 |title=Background Charts/Data for GLA Regeneration Committee Meeting |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/LB%20Harrow%20slidepack.pdf |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=London Government}}</ref> was on Station Road. After Debenhams was liquidated, the site is to become an independent department store called The Landmark due to open on 14 October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://harrowonline.org/2021/09/10/the-landmark-is-landing-in-harrow-town-centre/| title = 'The Landmark' is landing in Harrow Town Centre| date = 10 September 2021| publisher = Harrow Online}}</ref> There are also large [[Morrisons]] and [[Tesco]] superstores. As of 2012, Harrow has {{convert|104799|sqm|sqft|order=flip}} of total town centre floorspace, the lowest of London's metropolitan centres.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/2013%20TCHC%20report.pdf |title=2013 London Town Centre Health Check Analysis Report |publisher=Greater London Authority |year=2014 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Yates's, Harrow, HA1 (8486322806).jpg|thumb|Yates's public house in Station Road (today ''The George'') - it was originally purpose built [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths]] store in 1930, closing in 1996 as the retailer moved to St George's centre<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wooliesbuildings.wordpress.com/2019/10/14/harrow-store-406/|title=Harrow – Store 406|date=14 October 2019}}</ref>]]
The creation of St George's in 1996, less than a decade after St Anns, gave Harrow a stronger competitive retail standing. On one index, the town centre's league position went from 106th (out of 1,000) to 71st (out of 1,400) from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. Harrow's competing shopping centres were recognised to be [[Watford]], [[Uxbridge]] and [[Brent Cross Shopping Centre]]. A 2003 council report showed that Harrow was less competitive as a retail centre by comparison.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Future of Harrow Town Centre |url=https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/%28S%281bwain55pptpzair2v30wdir%29%29/documents/s1402/item%2011%20-%20Town%20Centre%20Strategy%20Appendices%20Plan.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324172224/https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/(S(1bwain55pptpzair2v30wdir))/documents/s1402/item%2011%20-%20Town%20Centre%20Strategy%20Appendices%20Plan.pdf |archive-date=24 March 2020 |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=Harrow Council}}</ref>

In 2015, Harrow ranked 99th in the Hot 100 UK retail locations published by [[CACI]]; it was 5th in Greater London, behind [[Croydon]], [[Kingston upon Thames]], [[Bromley]] and [[Enfield Town]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=13 November 2015 |title=Hot 100 UK Retail Locations 2015 |url=https://www.gra.world/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/02/00002208.pdf?x18661 |journal=Property Week |pages=37}}</ref> In 2018, Harrow was ranked 59th in the nationwide "High Street Investment Ranking" carried out by [[Knight Frank]], and 6th in Greater London beaten by Uxbridge and [[Richmond, London|Richmond]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Springham |first=Stephen |title=Knight Frank's Top 200 Retail Ranking |url=https://content.knightfrank.com/research/1359/documents/en/retail-news-issue-7-the-high-street-redundant-relevant-or-resurgent-5017.pdf |journal=Retail News |issue=7 |pages=32}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/research/article/2018-05-09-knight-franks-high-street-retail-ranking-wheres-hot-wheres-not-research|title=Knight Frank's high street retail ranking - where's hot, where's not?|website=www.knightfrank.co.uk}}</ref>

The [[Wealdstone]] district has a strong industrial connection, having been the location for the manufactures [[Winsor & Newton]] (artists' materials), Whitefriars Glass, and [[Kodak]].<ref name="auto7"/>

==Demography==
[[File:Buses, Clarendon Road and College Road.jpg|thumb|Pedestrians and buses near the bus station]]
The town includes its localities within the Harrow post town: [[Harrow on the Hill]], [[Harrow Weald]], [[Headstone, London|Headstone]], [[North Harrow]], [[Kenton, London|Kenton]], [[Rayners Lane]], [[South Harrow]], [[Wealdstone]] and [[West Harrow]]. The Borough's population was 250,149 in 2011.

Harrow Borough's proportion of Jewish, Muslim and Hindu residents is above average.<!-- The political geography for the aggregate is unclear, UK, England or other. --><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/17359483.nhs-advises-harrow-council-pork-based-vaccines/|title=Doctors explain use of pork-based vaccines|work=Harrow Times}}</ref> The [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|ethnic minority]] population includes a large and established [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] [[Indian people|Indian]] community, who originally settled in large numbers in the borough after their [[Expulsion of Asians from Uganda|expulsion from Uganda]] in 1972.<ref>{{Cite thesis|url=http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/1588/|title=A case study of urban ethnicity: Harrow Gujaratis.|first=Iris|last=Kalka|date=14 May 1986|type=phd|via=etheses.lse.ac.uk}}</ref>

The highest life expectancy (as of 2009–2013) for females was 89.5 years in Headstone North, and for males was 83.8 years in West Harrow. The lowest expectancies were 82.4 years in Wealdstone and 78.6 years in Greenhill respectively. The median age was highest in Headstone North (40 years) and lowest in Greenhill and Wealdstone (both 33 years). The life expectancies for Harrow are lower than both Pinner and Stanmore in the borough.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

According to a 2018 survey by the [[Office for National Statistics]] (ONS), the borough of Harrow was the "happiest" in London and scored higher than the English average.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/property-news/the-best-place-to-live-in-london-revealed-in-new-report-into-the-uk-s-wellbeing-a124381.html|title=Do you live in the happiest place in London?|first=Prudence|last=Ivey|date=28 September 2018|website=www.standard.co.uk}}</ref> Adversely, in another survey by an estate agent in 2019 the borough was found to be the "least friendly" in London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harrowonline.org/2019/09/10/study-reveals-harrow-to-be-the-least-friendly-borough-in-london/#:~:text=A%20recent%20study%20by%20Park,with%20a%2052%25%20approval%20rating.|title = Study reveals Harrow to be the 'least friendly' borough in London|date = 10 September 2019}}</ref>

Average house prices within the borough stood at £479,682 as of 2017.<ref name="metro.co.uk"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ 2011 Census homes %
!Ward !!Detached  !!Semi-detached!!Terraced!!Flats and apartments<ref name=ons>{{cite web|url=https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/ward-profiles-and-atlas|title= Neighbourhood statistics|publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]]}}</ref>{{London ward populations|reference}} 
|-
|Greenhill||4.7%||18.6%||11.5%||65.1%
|-
|Harrow on the Hill||10.4%| 18.7%||19.5%||51.5%
|-
|Harrow Weald||	17.3%||	46.7%||	14.8%||	21.1%
|-
|Headstone North||12.7%||63.2%||7.2%||16.8%
|-
|Headstone South||5.4%||36.6%||20.4%||37.5%
|-
|Kenton East||4.3%||35.2%||42.8%||17.6%
|-
|Kenton West||2.8%||66.6%||19.7%||11.0%
|-
|Marlborough||4.8%||30.6%||20.5%||44.1%
|-
|Rayners Lane||7.0%||37.9%||38.6%||16.4%
|-
|Roxbourne||3.6%||20.7%||37.6%||38.0%
|-
|Roxeth||4.4%||49.4%||25.2%||20.9%
|-
|Wealdstone||4.5%||28.8%||34.7%||32.1%
|-
|West Harrow||5.6%||48.1%||19.9%||26.4%
|-
|}

==Governance==
Harrow Council has been governed by the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] since 2014. The town of Harrow generally is represented by 13 [[Wards of the United Kingdom|wards]],<ref name="auto8"/> each represented by three councillors.

Harrow is in the [[Brent and Harrow (London Assembly constituency)|Brent and Harrow]] constituency for the [[London Assembly]] which has been represented since May 2021 by [[Krupesh Hirani]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]).<ref>{{cite web |title=GLA London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow |url=https://www.harrow.gov.uk/elections/gla-london-assembly-member-brent-harrow#:~:text=The%20GLA%20London%20Assembly%20Member%20for%20Brent%20%26%20Harrow%20is%20Krupesh%20Hirani. |publisher=Harrow Council |access-date=2 June 2021}}</ref> Prior to this, it was represented by [[Navin Shah]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]) between 2008 and 2021.

Keekira Thammaih was the first Indian and a first Asian to be the Mayor of Harrow, England in 2000 – 2001.

Since the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]], most of Harrow town has been part of the [[Harrow West (UK Parliament constituency)|Harrow West]] parliamentary constituency, most recently represented by [[Gareth Thomas (English politician)|Gareth Thomas]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]), but eastern districts such as Kenton fall within the [[Harrow East (UK Parliament constituency)|Harrow East]] constituency which is represented by [[Bob Blackman]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]).

==Education==
{{See also|List of schools in the London Borough of Harrow}}
[[File:The John Lyon School, Harrow On The Hill (7380532552).jpg|thumb|[[The John Lyon School]] - the building dates to the 1870s]]
Harrow is best known for [[Harrow School]]. An independent [[boarding school]] for boys, founded in 1572, Harrow School is considered one of the finest secondary schools in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.superintendentsforum.org/archives/2013-2/european-education-briefing-memo|title=European Education Briefing Memo - September|website=Superintendentsforum.org|access-date=23 October 2021}}</ref> The nearby [[John Lyon School]] is another boys' independent school, while another known school is the [[North London Collegiate School]] for girls located further in the borough in [[Edgware]].

Harrow is also home to a large [[University of Westminster]] campus, located near [[Northwick Park]] and [[Northwick Park Hospital|the hospital]]. It serves as the university's base for Media, Arts and Design. The school dates back to 1897 specialising in art, photography and fashion, becoming a college in the 1960s under the name Harrow College of Higher Education. It merged with Polytechnic of Central London (PCL) in 1990, now known as the University of Westminster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aim25.com/cats/15/5145.htm|title=AIM25 text-only browsing: University of Westminster: Harrow College of Higher Education and predecessors|website=aim25.com}}</ref>

Other educational institutes in or near central Harrow include: [[Harrow High School]], [[Whitmore High School]], [[St Dominic's Sixth Form College]], [[Salvatorian College]] and [[Harrow College]].

Greenhill School was built in the 1880s, but the building was demolished in 1967 to make way for shops on St Anns Road. The site is now home to a [[Marks & Spencer]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/pupils-go-back-school---6018645|title=Pupils go back to school - 41 years after it shut|first=My|last=London|date=3 June 2008|website=getwestlondon}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Granada Cinema, Harrow, from NW 2.png|thumb|The former Granada Theatre, now a gymnasium]]

===Arts===
[[File:Safari Cinema.jpg|thumb|Safari Cinema]]
The borough's [[Harrow Arts Centre]] is located in [[Pinner]] and includes a theatre and several meeting rooms for various arts groups.

The [[St George's Shopping Centre (Harrow)|St George's]] centre has a large [[Vue Cinemas|Vue]] cinema. Formerly Sheepcote Road was home to Granada Theatre, opened in 1937, which became a 3 screen cinema in 1973. The building, interior designed by [[Theodore Komisarjevsky]],<ref name="auto6">{{Cite web | url=https://www.atos-london.co.uk/other-theatre-organs/granada-harrow-wurlitzer | title=Granada Harrow Wurlitzer}}</ref> was [[Grade II]] listed in 1988.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/21137 |title = ABC Harrow in Harrow, GB - Cinema Treasures}}</ref> The cinema went through ownership and name changes from 1989 until it was permanently closed in 1996, six months after the other cinema opening at St George's. After a few years in a derelict condition, the building became a health club gymnasium operated by [[Gold's Gym]]. The theatre's original [[Wurlitzer]] organ is retained in the building, although currently not accessible to the public,<ref name="auto2"/> is reported to remain in perfect working condition.<ref name="auto6"/>

An art-deco cinema called Dominion opened in 1936 adjoining Lower Mead football ground, on much of the site of Greenhill Farm.<ref name="auto11"/> It was later purchased by [[ABC Cinemas]], and the Dominion's original [[art deco]] design (by [[F.E. Bromige]]) was covered in new metal cladding in 1962.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://londonist.com/2015/10/harrow-s-hidden-art-deco-masterpiece | title=Harrow's Hidden Art Deco Masterpiece| date=30 October 2015}}</ref> In the 1970s the lower floor was converted to a bingo hall and in the 1990s the cinema became the Safari, showing Bollywood films.  This closed in the 20teens and it was not until January 2020 when plans to restore the art deco (and building 78 flats at the site) were approved by Harrow council.  This is currently under re-construction.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/18189061.harrow-council-approves-plans-redevelop-safari-cinema/ |title = Plans to restore 1936 art deco cinema façade approved}}</ref>

===Religion===
[[File:St Mary's, Harrow on the Hill, 2015 29.jpg|thumb|St Mary's Church on Harrow Hill]]
Some of the major churches in Harrow include the Grade I listed [[St Mary's Church, Harrow on the Hill|St Mary's Church]], St John's Greenhill, All Saints Harrow Weald, Holy Trinity Wealdstone, Christ Church Roxeth, and Kenton Methodist Church.

Harrow has a Hindu temple dedicated to Sri Lord Ayyappa and is known as Sri Ayyappan Kovil, located in the [[Wealdstone]] neighbourhood. In the same area is the large [[Harrow Central Mosque]], and a smaller local mosque, Masjid Imam Muqbil, is located in [[South Harrow]]. On Bessborough Road in the town is the [[Mosaic Reform Synagogue]], and there is a [[United Synagogue]] in the [[Kenton, London|Kenton]] part of Harrow. There is a [[Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe|Zoroastrianism]] centre in [[Rayners Lane]].

===Media===
The 1918 novel ''[[The Return of the Soldier]]'' is based in Harrow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/hope-mill-theatre-in-manchester-announces-final-two-musicals-of-2018-including-uk-premiere-of-broadway-show/|title=Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester announces final two musicals of 2018 - including UK premiere of Broadway show|first=Nigel|last=Barlow|date=17 April 2018}}</ref>

The wedding of characters [[Peggy Mitchell]] and [[Frank Butcher]] of ''[[EastEnders]]'' in 1999 was filmed in Harrow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/284018.stm|title=BBC News &#124; Entertainment &#124; Frank and Peggy tie the knot|website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> The classroom in ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' was filmed at the Fourth Form Room of [[Harrow School]]. The school was also used to shoot many scenes of the drama ''[[The Crown (TV series)|The Crown]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eventopedia.com/blog/did-you-know-these-5-shows-were-filmed-at-har|title=Eventopedia &#124; Event Venues, Meeting Rooms & Event Planning|website=www.eventopedia.com}}</ref> The British Asian soap drama ''Cloud 9'' was shot in Harrow in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/new-british-asian-soap-opera-5969207|title=New British Asian soap opera filmed in Harrow|first=Ian|last=Proctor|date=28 March 2013|website=getwestlondon}}</ref> The exterior of Clark's house in the 2016 film ''[[Me Before You (film)|Me Before You]]'' was shot in Harrow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://moremoviedetails.com/me-before-you/|title=Me Before You|website=Moremoviedeatils.com|access-date=23 October 2021}}</ref>

The ''[[Harrow Times]]'' is a local newspaper for the borough, and formerly the historic ''[[Harrow Observer]]'' that dates back to the 19th century. The ''[[Brent & Kilburn Times]]'' and ''[[Watford Observer]]'' also cover Harrow.

[[Radio Harrow]] is a local charity radio that broadcasts from [[Northwick Park Hospital]]. Launched in 2015 in its current form, its predecessor Radio Northwick Park had already been broadcasting for four decades before.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/14758549.hospital-turned-community-radio-station-celebrates-45-years-of-harrow-broadcasting/|title=Hospital turned community radio station celebrates 45 years of Harrow broadcasting|website=This Is Local London}}</ref> A [[student radio]] called Smoke Radio broadcasts from the [[University of Westminster]] campus since 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studentradio.org.uk/stations/smoke-radio/|title=Smoke Radio|date=3 August 2014|website=Student Radio Association}}</ref>

===Sports===
Harrow is represented by the [[association football]] club [[Wealdstone F.C.]], who play in the [[National League (division)|National League]] (fifth tier); they are based in [[Ruislip]], moving from their original stadium in Harrow in 1991. Another local club is [[Harrow Borough F.C.]] who are based at [[Earlsmead Stadium]] and currently play in the [[Isthmian League]] Premier Division (seventh tier).

Harrow Leisure Centre and [[Harrow Skate Park]] are located by Byron Park in Wealdstone.

There is a golf course at [[Northwick Park]].

==Public services==
[[File:Harrow Crown Court - geograph.org.uk - 6292050.jpg|thumb|[[Harrow Crown Court]]]]
Harrow borough is patrolled by the [[Metropolitan Police]] (the [[territorial police force]] in Greater London). The service is mainly provided through Harrow Police Station on Northolt Road in South Harrow, and the borough overall has contact points supported by 22 [[#Safer Neighbourhoods teams in Harrow|Safer Neighbourhoods teams]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.met.police.uk/|title=Home &#124; The Met|website=www.met.police.uk}}</ref> Previous police stations at Kirkland House and in Wealdstone have closed down in the 2010s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://maps.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/disclosure_2017/october_2017/information-rights-unit---a-list-of-police-stations-closed-since-2010-broken-down-by-year |title=Police stations closed since 2010 by year |access-date=25 March 2020 |archive-date=25 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325035124/https://maps.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/disclosure_2017/october_2017/information-rights-unit---a-list-of-police-stations-closed-since-2010-broken-down-by-year |url-status=dead}}</ref> The borough's [[basic command unit]] is combined with the London boroughs of [[London Borough of Barnet|Barnet]] and [[London Borough of Brent|Brent]].

Harrow is served by [[Northwick Park Hospital]] and specialists [[St Mark's Hospital]] and [[Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital]] (in [[Stanmore]]), which are run by [[National Health Service]]. The local [[Clinical commissioning group|Harrow CCG]] manages public provision of homecare throughout Harrow which is state funded.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.harrowccg.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n10592&ver=24154 |title=NHS Harrow CCG|website=nhs.uk |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=12 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212005048/https://www.harrowccg.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n10592&ver=24154 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A private hospital called Clementine Churchill is located in Harrow-on-the-Hill.

== Transport ==
===Rail and London Underground===
[[File:Harrow-on-the-Hill Underground Station - geograph.org.uk - 528370.jpg|thumb|Underground trains at the platforms of [[Harrow-on-the-Hill station]].]]
Harrow is served by many [[London Underground]] and [[National Rail]] services:

*[[Harrow-on-the-Hill station|Harrow-on-the-Hill]] ([[Metropolitan line]] & [[London to Aylesbury Line|Aylesbury Line]]/[[Chiltern Railways]]){{#tag:ref|Not in [[Harrow on the Hill]], as close to the foot of the hill and long outside of its ward boundary.|group= n}}
*[[Harrow & Wealdstone station|Harrow & Wealdstone]] ([[Bakerloo line]], [[London Overground]], [[London Northwestern Railway]] and [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]])
*[[West Harrow tube station|West Harrow]] (Metropolitan line)
*[[South Harrow tube station|South Harrow]] ([[Piccadilly line]])
*[[Rayners Lane tube station|Rayners Lane]] (Metropolitan/Piccadilly lines)
*[[North Harrow tube station|North Harrow]] (Metropolitan line)
*[[Kenton station|Kenton]] (Bakerloo line & London Overground)
*[[Headstone Lane railway station|Headstone Lane]] (London Overground)
*[[Northolt Park railway station|Northolt Park]] ([[Chiltern Main Line]]/Chiltern Railways) [On Boundary between Ealing & Harrow]
*[[Sudbury Hill Harrow railway station|Sudbury Hill Harrow]] ([[Chiltern Main Line]]/Chiltern Railways)
*[[Northwick Park tube station|Northwick Park]] (Metropolitan line) [On boundary between Brent & Harrow]
*[[Sudbury Hill tube station|Sudbury Hill]] (Piccadilly line)

Harrow-on-the-Hill is the town's central station, located on College Road/Lowlands Road. The station provides direct Underground and rail links to the [[West End of London|West End]], the [[City of London|City]], [[Uxbridge]], and through the [[Chiltern Hills]] to [[Aylesbury]]. The other major station - and both the largest and busiest of Harrow - is [[Harrow & Wealdstone station|Harrow & Wealdstone]], a short distance north from the town, which has direct trains to the West End, [[Croydon]], [[Gatwick Airport]], [[Watford]], [[Hemel Hempstead]] and beyond towards [[Brighton]] and [[Birmingham]] respectively. Both stations are in [[London fare zone 5]]. Trains towards [[Gerrards Cross]] are served by the smaller [[Sudbury Hill Harrow railway station|Sudbury Hill Harrow]] station which also provides an alternative route towards the [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]].

Harrow-on-the-Hill is a much busier tube station compared with the town's other principal station, Harrow & Wealdstone, recording over 10.3 million London Underground passengers in 2018/2019. However, the latter is served more extensively by National Rail services, as well as the London Overground and because of this it's a busier National Rail station.

A short railway line called the [[Stanmore branch line]] formerly ran from Harrow & Wealdstone via [[Belmont, Harrow|Belmont]] to {{rws|Stanmore Village}}, but this line was closed in 1964.<ref name="stb">{{cite web|title=The Harrow and Stanmore railway|url=http://www.stanmoretouristboard.org.uk/the-harrow-and-stanmore-railway/the-stanmore-branch-line.html|website=www.stanmoretouristboard.org.uk|publisher=The Stanmore Tourist Board|access-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207094027/http://www.stanmoretouristboard.org.uk/the-harrow-and-stanmore-railway/the-stanmore-branch-line.html|archive-date=7 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 December 1991, the [[Irish Republican Army|IRA]] [[Attacks on the London Underground|exploded a bomb]] on a train at [[Harrow-on-the-Hill station]]; there were no injuries.

===Bus===
[[File:Au Morandarte Flickr London Sovereign DPS640 on Route H10, Harrow Bus Station (9699906222).jpg|thumb|Buses at Harrow's bus station]]
Harrow bus station is adjacent to [[St Anns (shopping centre)|St Anns shopping centre]] and [[Harrow on the Hill railway station]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stannsshopping.co.uk/centre-information/find-us|title=St Anne's, How to find us|website=Stannsshopping.co.uk|access-date=23 October 2021}}</ref> All buses are managed by [[Transport for London]] and links are provided to [[Ruislip]], [[Watford]], [[Edgware]], [[Northwood, London|Northwood]], [[Golders Green]], [[Wembley]], [[Ealing]], [[Hayes, Hillingdon|Hayes]] and [[Heathrow Airport]]. Many local buses have a H-prefix in the range 9–19.

During the [[privatisation of London bus services]], Harrow was one of the first places with its own [[London Regional Transport]] operating unit, called Harrow Buses and operating from November 1987 in red and cream branded livery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/20th-october-1988/60/the-big-red-bus-debate|title=THE BIG RED BUS DEBATE &#124; 20th October 1988 &#124; The Commercial Motor Archive|website=archive.commercialmotor.com}}</ref> The scheme was not successful and the service gained the nickname "Harrowing Buses" from the local press.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~cign/rjwsite/index/national.htm|title=The R. J. Waterhouse Web Site - Leyland Nationals|website=www.users.globalnet.co.uk}}</ref>

Harrow was the place where the first major electronic contactless [[smart card]] technology was being tested on buses. In a £2 million trial that started in February 1994,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/smart-card-bus-tickets-go-on-trial-1394394.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/smart-card-bus-tickets-go-on-trial-1394394.html |archive-date=9 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title='Smart card' bus tickets go on trial|date=16 February 1994|website=The Independent}}</ref> cards were provided by [[London Transport (brand)|London Transport]] at the bus station and could be used on 21 bus routes in Harrow, the largest trial of its kind in the world. Within two months, 9,000 smart photocards were issued. The scheme was a success by the time it ended in December 1995, and led to the development of the [[Oyster card]] in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/aug/28/harrow-bus-trial-contactless-passes-london-travel-smartcard|title=Get smart! How a 90s bus pass trial transformed London travel|first=Nicole|last=Badstuber|date=28 August 2018|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>

===Road===
There are no [[trunk road]]s in the vicinity of Harrow. The [[A312 road]] starts in Harrow as Bessborough Road - however the A312's section in Harrow is merely an urban road, and the primary trunk road starts over 3 miles away in [[Northolt]]. It is here where there is a crossing with the [[A40 road|A40]] [[Western Avenue (London)|Western Avenue]]. The [[A406 road|A406]] is 5 miles away via [[Neasden]], [[Wembley]] or [[Hanger Lane Gyratory]]. There is access to junction 2 of the [[M1 motorway]] 6 miles away via the [[A41 road|A41]] in [[Edgware]].

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Station Road, Harrow.jpg|Station Road, Harrow
Royal Oak Harrow.jpg|Royal Oak public house on St Anns Road has existed since the early 20th century<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FuIgCwAAQBAJ&q=%22royal+oak%22+%22harrow%22+%22st+george%27s%22&pg=PT121 |title = Harrow Through Time|isbn = 9781445637426|last1 = Walter|first1 = Don|date = 15 October 2015| publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited }}</ref> and is locally listed<ref name="auto3" />
St_Ann's_Road,_Harrow_2.jpg|St Anns Road
St Anns Road, Harrow.jpg|St Anns Road
Harrow Era Mix.jpg|Middle section of Station Road, showing shops and the Time Building and apartments on Lyon Road behind it
Harrow Bus Station 2.jpg|Harrow's central bus station
Fat Controller, Harrow.jpg|Former Fat Controller pub, closed in 2010<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.mylondon.news/news/local-news/fat-controller-hits-financial-buffers-5999296| title = The Fat Controller hits the financial buffers - MyLondon| date = 10 March 2010}}</ref>
Premier Supermarket, Station Road, Harrow - geograph.org.uk - 380202.jpg|Premier Supermarket on Station Road (1963), now an [[Iceland (supermarket)|Iceland]] supermarket; the site was originally home to the Harrow Coliseum cinema which was demolished in 1956<ref>{{cite web| url = http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/30140| title = Coliseum Cinema in Harrow, GB - Cinema Treasures}}</ref>
Moon on the Hill, Harrow, HA1 (6163372441).jpg|Moon on the Hill pub
Harrow Square blocks.jpg|New built Harrow Square blocks
Debenhams in Harrow shortly before its final closure (1).jpg|The old Debenhams shortly before its closure in May 2021. The site is becoming an independent department store called The Landmark.
Time Building.jpg|The Time Building on Station Road with a [[Miller Brewing Company|Miller]]-branded clock - formerly home of Time nightclub in 2000; today part converted into residential use<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-19 |title=322 Station Road, Harrow |url=https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/documents/s139609/Revised%202-01%20-%20Agenda%2019-10-16%20-%20322%20Station%20Road%20-%20P-3489-16.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801191048/https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/documents/s139609/Revised%202-01%20-%20Agenda%2019-10-16%20-%20322%20Station%20Road%20-%20P-3489-16.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-01 |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Harrow Council}}</ref>
</gallery>

==Notable people==
{{main|List of people from the London Borough of Harrow}}
Some notable people who were born and/or grew up in the Borough of Harrow are shown below.
<gallery>
Peter Andre.jpg|[[Peter Andre]]
Kate Nash (8179628760).jpg|[[Kate Nash]]
Stuart Pearce.jpg|[[Stuart Pearce]]
Diane Abbot Corbyn leadership rally August 2016.jpg|[[Diane Abbott]]
Elton John Cannes 2019.jpg|Sir [[Elton John]]
Dev Patel (29870651654).jpg|[[Dev Patel]]
</gallery>

==Notes and references==
;Notes
{{Reflist|group=n}}
;References
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.harrow.gov.uk Harrow Council Homepage]

{{LB Harrow}}{{London Districts}}{{University of Westminster}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrow, London}}
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Harrow]]
[[Category:Metropolitan centres of London]]