Hotspot: Harrow

Steeped in history, Harrow is a bustling, diverse suburb of London with a vibrant community, excellent local amenities and loads of lush green spaces nearby. The town has undergone a huge regeneration over the last decade, with exciting new developments making the area more accessible – and more desirable – than ever to first time buyers

Under the Spotlight

This north west London town is just 15 minutes from the heart of the capital and effortlessly serves up both village and suburban life, in equal measure. You’ll find great amenities in the bustle of Harrow, juxtaposed with the calmer and leafier Harrow on the Hill to the south of the town, also home to the prestigious Harrow School. Founded in 1572, Harrow School is one of only four all-boys full boarding schools left in Britain and boasts seven former British Prime Ministers among its alumni. More recently, you may have seen it included as a set in Harry Potter, The Crown and ITV’s Endeavour, as well as in Ed Sheeran’s music videos and countless high-end magazine shoots.

Harrow itself has a long history as an important meeting place and place of business. From humble farming roots, development began in earnest when the Metropolitan Railway arrived in 1880. Historically in Middlesex, Harrow has been a part of Greater London since 1965 and has been transformed into a commercial hub with a lively and extremely well-connected town centre.

Residents of Harrow are spoilt for choice for local public transport options. Harrow-on-the-Hill, North Harrow, West Harrow and Rayners Lane are all on the Metropolitan Line in Zone 5. Kenton and South Kenton are in Zone 4, on the Bakerloo Line, and South Harrow (Zone 5) and Sudbury Hill (Zone 4) are on the Piccadilly Line. National Rail services are also available from Harrow & Wealdstone and Harrow-on-the-Hill. There are also excellent bus services in Harrow, notably the 182 and 186 to Brent Cross.

Harrow is home to a diverse population, and has growing appeal with commuters and families alike. Schools are excellent, with a wide range of Ofsted-rated Good and Outstanding state primary and comprehensive schools, including religious schools. Buyers would be wise to consider their future plans, and catchment areas, if they have a particular school, or schools, in mind.

Developers have responded to meet the needs of a variety of buyers, with everything from one bedroom flats to large family homes. On the resale market, Harrow has a range of period properties including many roads of 1930s homes and Victorian and Edwardian properties.

5 Reasons we love Harrow

  1. Gorgeous architecture
  2. Huge variety of new homes to choose from
  3. Loads of green open spaces
  4. Consistently good schools
  5. Great connections to the capital and beyond

There is plenty to do in and around Harrow but a great place to start is with a tour of Harrow School – there are regular public tours throughout the year. Harrow also boasts arguably the most museums of any borough outside the centre of London. The Heath Robinson Museum showcases the work of humourist and illustrator William Heath Robinson, check out the RAF Museum or head to Headstone Manor Museum, which delves into the borough’s rich history. Wembley is also on the doorstep for top class entertainment, whether it’s one of the countless concerts or sporting events.

As a shopping destination, Harrow caters to all tastes, with everything you would expect from a large town including H&M, TK Maxx and Boots, among others. St George’s and St Anns shopping centres have recently benefited from a £10m upgrade. South Harrow Indoor Market is also popular and can be found on Northolt Road. You’ll find some wonderful independent traders in the quaint High Street in Pinner. Harrow on
the Hill’s high street has a quainter feel. For even more choice, Brent Cross, Ealing Broadway and Westfield London are all nearby.

Harrow also has a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets, but Harrow on the Hill is definitely the place to go for something a bit special.
There are some exceptional gastro pubs and tearooms, with the added attraction of incredible views of London. The Castle is one such pub. In a listed building, once owned by the school, it counts Sir Winston Churchill as a former patron and is well loved for its generous portions of fresh seasonal food. There is also an exceptional selection of international restaurants including local favourites Lattakia Lebanese restaurant and Melissa restaurant for delicious Mediterranean food.

The town is rich in sporting facilities, so staying active should be easy. Aside from the standard gym and park offerings, you will find the PlayGolf London driving range, Harrow Skate Park and Harrowall, the UK’s largest bouldering centre, all perfect for those looking for something a little different. Keen walkers may even like to do a circuit of the city by joining the Capital Ring walking route.

Green spaces in the town are also abundant. Pinner Memorial Park is one of the larger open spaces in the area and includes many family-friendly amenities including children’s playgrounds and a cafe, while Lowlands Recreation Ground has recently been completely re-landscaped to include a performance space which has rejuvenated the park and injected art and culture into the town centre.
In addition, there are numerous recreation grounds and smaller parks to explore across the area.

Fact File

  • Average property price in Harrow (April 2025) – £542,060

Property breakdown*

  • Detached – £1,224,909
  • Semi-detached – £669,512
  • Terraced – £541,187
  • Flat – £339,735
    *According to the Land Registry House Price Index

Famous Residents

• Musician Elton John
• Actor Benedict Cumberbatch
• Singer Peter Andre
• Politician Diane Abbott
• Singer Tom Fletcher

Homes on the market…

Northwick Parkside (in the London Borough of Brent)

Working in partnership with Countryside Homes, SNG (Sovereign Network Group) offers a range of one, two and three bedroom apartments available through Shared Ownership. Part of a regeneration project eventually delivering 654 new homes in Harrow, Northwick Parkside offers the perfect blend of city and suburban life, with excellent transport links to central London, good schools, a rich cultural scene, green spaces and a welcoming community. With sustainability at its heart, the lovely walkways, cycle routes and tree-lined pedestrian parks make this a place built for the future.
Each apartment has been thoughtfully designed. Kitchens come with integrated appliances and bedrooms feature built-in wardrobes with sliding glass doors and soft, neutral carpeting. All homes come with a private balcony or patio and there is underfloor heating throughout.
Its location, just five minutes walk from Northwick Park station on the Metropolitan Line and 10 minutes from Kenton on the Bakerloo Line and Overground, makes for an easy commute.
*Prices for a one bedroom apartment range from £93,750 to £98,125 for a 25% share of the full market value of £375,000 to £392,500. Prices for a two bedroom apartment range from £113,750 to £124,375 for a 25% share with a full market value of £455,000 to £497,500.

Marketing suite and show home now open. For more information visit sng-northwick.co.uk

First Time Buyer is an exciting bi-monthly glossy which takes a stylish and comprehensive look at all the options available, setting them out in an entertaining and informative way, and helping potential customers navigate their way through what is often a daunting and complex process. We dispel the myths, reinforce the facts and arm the reader with the tools necessary to make their homeownership dreams a reality.