Harrow Weald
| Harrow Weald | |
| Middlesex | |
|---|---|
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_578.jpg) Grim's Dyke and Grimstone Lake | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ151907 |
| Location: | 51°36’14"N, 0°20’20"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 11,376 (2011) |
| Post town: | Harrow |
| Postcode: | HA3 |
| Dialling code: | 020 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Harrow |
Harrow Weald is a town in the north of Middlesex, close to the border of Hertfordshire to the north. It is formed from a leafy 1930s suburban development along with ancient woodland.
Across the county border from Harrow Weald, and indeed spreading over it, is Bushey Heath. Close by within Middlesex are Stanmore, Wealdstone, Headstone and Hatch End.
The word Weald is Old English in origin, meaning woodland. The hamlet here was recorded as waldis in 1303 and welde in 1382, but the name Harrow Weald is not recorded until 1553. It was then part of the great Forest of Middlesex.
About the village
.jpg)
The south of the village is a suburban development with houses, schools, small shops, supermarkets and pubs. The area expanded around the First World War[1] and continued to grow quickly: the population grew from 1,517 in 1901 to 10,923 in 1931.[2]
Ancient woodland on high ground fills most of the northern part of Harrow Weald, and by the county border here Middlesex reaches its highest point, at 502 feet above sea level. The eastern part of the woods merges into those of Stanmore and encompasses Bentley Priory. The priory's grounds are now Bentley Priory Nature Reserve (a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest). Along the southern edge of the high ground runs the road Old Redding and a car park here gives views over the urban sprawl beyond. The western part of the woodland forms Harrow Weald Common.
Other smaller woods surround the [[Grim's Dyke Hotel, the former country house of W. S. Gilbert.[3] Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas are frequently performed here. The house is named after the nearby earthwork Grim's Ditch, a three-mile long ancient monument that runs from Harrow Weald to Pinner Green. The monument remains largely mysterious but is known to have been named in the Saxon era.[4] The ditch hints at a long history of habitation in the area and many artefacts have been found on the common to support this.
Society
- The Friends of Harrow Weald, based at Harrow Weald Recreation Ground.[5]
References
- ↑ A History of the County of Middlesex - Volume 4 pp 198-203: Harrow, including Pinner: Suburban development (Victoria County History)
- ↑ "Harrow Weald CP through time - Census tables with data for the Parish-level Unit". http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10164620.
- ↑ "Country House Hotel Harrow & Wedding Venue - The Grim's Dyke Hotel". http://www.grimsdyke.com/.
- ↑ Grim's Ditch
- ↑ Central Park Of Harrow Weald - Harrow Weald Recreation Ground: Harrowweald.co.uk