Harlow Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Harlow, located in the East of England region, is a charming town that offers a delightful blend of history, nature, and modern amenities. With its proximity to London, it serves as a perfect base for exploring both the capital city and the picturesque English countryside.

History enthusiasts will find themselves captivated by the rich heritage of Harlow. The town boasts an array of architectural gems, including the iconic St. Mary's Church, which dates back to the 12th century and features stunning medieval stained glass windows. The nearby Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens provide a fascinating insight into the town's past, with exhibits showcasing local history, art, and culture.

Nature lovers will be delighted by the abundance of green spaces and parks that Harlow has to offer. The expansive Harlow Town Park is a tranquil oasis, perfect for leisurely strolls or picnics amidst beautiful flowerbeds and serene lakes. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, the nearby Epping Forest provides ample opportunities for hiking, cycling, and wildlife spotting.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate Harlow's commitment to promoting creativity and culture. The Gibberd Gallery, located in the picturesque Gibberd Garden, showcases a diverse range of contemporary art exhibitions, while the Playhouse Theatre hosts a variety of performances, from plays to live music shows. Additionally, Harlow Sculpture Town boasts an impressive collection of outdoor sculptures that can be discovered while exploring the town's streets.

Food lovers will be spoiled for choice in Harlow, with an array of dining options ranging from traditional English pubs to international cuisine. The town's vibrant market offers a wide selection of fresh produce, local delicacies, and artisan crafts, providing a truly immersive culinary experience.

Harlow's convenient location allows visitors to easily explore the surrounding attractions. A short train ride away, London beckons with its world-famous landmarks, museums, and vibrant cultural scene. Alternatively, nature enthusiasts can venture further afield to explore the picturesque countryside of Hertfordshire and Essex, with their charming villages, historic sites, and scenic landscapes.

Alternative names: Population: 94.4 thous. (2019)Area: 11.79 mi²Elevation: 259 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 51°46'10"N, 0°5'34"E

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EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Harlow Top Attractions

Harlow Attractions - What to See and Explore

Harlow offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Harlow Greyhound Stadium, Harlow Town Park, St Mary & St Hugh, The Square. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Arenas and stadiums • Sport venue • Sport
Harlow Greyhound Stadium
Harlow Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Harlow, Essex, England. The stadium also has executive suites, a restaurant, a number of bars and conference and banqueting facilities.
Park
Harlow Town Park
Harlow Town Park is a 164-acre Grade II listed public park located in Harlow, Essex, England. It includes multiple gardens, a petting zoo named the Pets' Corner, a bandstand, and the Spurriers House Café.
Church
St Mary & St Hugh
St Mary & St Hugh's Church is a Church of England parish church in Churchgate Street, Old Harlow in Essex, England. The church is of medieval origin and was given Grade II listed status on 5 July 1950. The church has a cruciform plan with a tower at the crossing with a tall shingled broach spire.

Music venue
The Square
The Square was a 250 capacity independent live music venue in Harlow, Essex, England. It was managed by SquareOne Entertainment LLP who took over the venue in July 2008. After a five-month closure period from the end of 2015, The Square re-opened on Friday, 10 June 2016 before closing permanently in early 2017.
Canal
Stort Navigation
The Stort Navigation is the canalised section of the River Stort running 22 kilometres from the town of Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, downstream to its confluence with the Lee Navigation at Feildes Weir near Rye House, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
Monuments and statues
Contrapuntal Forms
Contrapuntal Forms is a stone sculpture by Barbara Hepworth, one of her first public commissions, made in 1950–51 for the Festival of Britain and installed outside the Dome of Discovery on South Bank, London. It was one of two Hepworth commissions for the festival: the other was an abstract rotating sculpture, Turning Forms.
Synagogue
Harlow Jewish Community
Harlow Jewish Community, a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism, is a Reform Jewish congregation whose synagogue is at Harberts Road, Harlow, in Essex, England. The congregation dates from 1952. Irit Shillor has been its Rabbi since 2005.
Church
Church of St Mary the Virgin
St Mary the Virgin Church is located in Latton, Harlow, Essex, England. It is an Anglican church and is liberal catholic in tradition. The church building is Grade I listed.
51°47'47"N • 0°5'18"E
Gilston Park
Gilston Park is a Grade II* listed country house in Gilston, Hertfordshire, England. It was designed by Philip Hardwick for John Hodgson around 1852.
Garden • Park • Sculpture
Gibberd Garden
Gibberd Garden is a garden in Harlow, Essex, England, which was created by Sir Frederick Gibberd. He designed the garden and added sculptures, ceramic pots and architectural salvage from 1972 till his death in 1984.
Park
Harlow Marsh
Harlow Marsh is a 13.8 hectare Local Nature Reserve in Harlow in Essex. It is owned and managed by Harlow District Council. The site is in three separate areas, Maymeads Marsh, Marshgate Spring and Parndon Moat Marsh.
51°46'45"N • 0°5'56"E
Pets' Corner Harlow
Farm • Outdoor activities • Park
Park
Hawkenbury Meadow
Hawkenbury Meadow is a 1.6 hectare Local Nature Reserve in Harlow in Essex. It is owned and managed by Harlow District Council. The site is neutral grassland with a brook running through it. It has a variety of wild flowers including yellow rattle, common spotted orchid, cowslip, wild carrot and grass vetchling.
51°46'43"N • 0°7'26"E
The Museum of Harlow
Specialty museum • Museum
51°46'48"N • 0°3'36"E
Catuvellauni
The Catuvellauni were a Celtic tribe or state of southeastern Britain before the Roman conquest, attested by inscriptions into the 4th century. The fortunes of the Catuvellauni and their kings before the conquest can be traced through ancient coins and scattered references in classical histories.
Monuments and statues
Contrapunctal Forms
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more musical lines which are harmonically interdependent yet independent in rhythm and melodic contour.
51°45'44"N • 0°5'6"E
Toddbrook House Cattery
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51°45'48"N • 0°6'28"E
Harlow Study Centre
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51°46'47"N • 0°3'15"E
Hunsdon Mead
Hunsdon Mead is a 34 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest west of Harlow and east of Roydon in Essex. The site is partly in Essex and partly in Hertfordshire, and it is jointly owned and managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust and the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

Day trips

Harlow – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Harlow, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Oxford Street (London), Palace of Westminster (London), Regent Street (London).

20 milesSW
Street, Shopping, Shopping district
Oxford Street, London
Oxford Street in London, United Kingdom, stands as a bustling epicenter of contemporary retail, a shopping district that attracts both locals and tourists alike. Stretching approximately 1.9 kilometers through the heart of the city, this vibrant thoroughfare boasts...
21 milesSW
Iconic home of UK parliament
Palace of Westminster, London
The Palace of Westminster, with its iconic clock tower known as Big Ben, stands as a monumental piece of Gothic Revival architecture on the banks of the River Thames in London, United Kingdom. This palatial complex is not only a tourist attraction but also the meeting...
20 milesSW
Shopping, Street, Edwardian architecture
Regent Street, London
Regent Street stands as one of London's most prestigious shopping districts, renowned for its historic Victorian architecture and an array of high-end retail stores. This bustling thoroughfare, designed by architect John Nash in the early 19th century, has evolved into...
20 milesSW
A historian's treasure trove
British Museum, London
The British Museum, located in the heart of London, United Kingdom, stands as a cornerstone of cultural heritage and is one of the most expansive and comprehensive museums in the world. This venerable institution, founded in 1753, opened its doors to the public in 1759...
19 milesS
Medieval castle housing the Crown Jewels
Tower of London, London
The Tower of London is an iconic fortress situated in the heart of the city of London, United Kingdom. With a history stretching back over 1,000 years, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been a royal palace, an armory, a treasury, the home of the Royal Mint, a public...

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Best Time To Visit Harlow

Learn when is the best time to travel to Harlow weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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August is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in February, April and July. Most of it rains in January, September, October, November and December.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Harlow?

The top attractions to visit in Harlow are:

What is the best time to visit Harlow?

August is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.