Harrow: the gem of North-West London

What does this exquisite borough have to offer sports enthusiasts?

In 1934, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Wealdstone Urban Districts merged with Hendon Rural District to form the Urban District of Harrow.

The coming together of these areas was set out in the Middlesex Review Order 1934, which made Harrow Urban District Council the local authority.

When the district became a municipal borough in 1954, Harrow Borough Council came into being. 2004 saw the celebration of this monumental occasion’s 50th anniversary, which was seen in by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself. This celebration took place despite the fact that the official title of the area had changed to the London Borough of Harrow in 1965. The London Government Act of 1963 made this possible.

As a result of this transition, the borough remains today the only one in London with the same boundaries as the district it originally began from. The purported reason for this is that the population was significant enough in the early days of the area to maintain a degree of prominence in the Greater London region.

Harrow is famous for being a particularly diverse area. In fact, it is the most varied melting pot of religions in the country. Asking two random people in the street what their beliefs are, the chances of them being different is a staggering 62%!

Which sports are nearby?

Harrow is a fantastically well-connected suburb of London. Just a few stops on the Metropolitan line will get you right into the heart of the conurbation. What this means is that all of the London Olympic venues are within easy reach if you choose to find accommodation in the area.

The nearest stadium is the world-renowned Wembley. Wembley Arena is right next door. Between the two, these structures will play host to some of the most prestigious events that feature in the 2012 line-up. For example, Wembley Arena will be the location of the football finals; a spectacle that is sure to draw a huge crowd in the country that many would argue is the home of the sport. The recently-renovated building features a sliding roof which will ensure no breaks in play due to poor conditions.

Wembley Arena is to be the location of the rhythmic gymnastics – one of the two women-only disciplines featured at the 2012 summer games, alongside synchronised swimming. This stunning, cutting-edge entertainment centre will see the competitors using clubs, balls, hoops and ribbons to augment their already stunning physical routines. This seems set to be an absolute visual delight.

Best London holiday accommodation

What’s Harrow got to offer?

Being the historically significant borough that it is, Harrow is replete with a variety of cultural and artistic attractions. The RAF museum at Bentley Priory for instance provides an intense look into one of Britain’s proudest organizations.

A day at the museum will leave any visitor imagining themselves in a 1940s Spitfire above the English Channel. The beautiful Boston House is another feather in Harrow’s hat. The Jacobean manor house, built in 1623, is situated in a vast expanse of parkland featuring ancient cedars and a lake. The State Rooms on the first floor, some of which feature 17th century plaster ceilings, can be visited and enjoyed free of charge. With many historic paintings of local landscapes and portraits of influential individuals, the House makes a splendid day trip.

It’s not just indoor interests that abound in Harrow. After a day of the world’s finest sporting events and a few celebratory drinks in the evening, maybe a calmer day might be called for. If this is the case, Harrow is perfectly situated for stretching those legs and relaxing in a soothing, green environment. The borough is partially situated in the London greenbelt and features a smorgasbord of parks and other open spaces for visitors to enjoy. The selection of restaurants and cafés is also wide enough to cater for any tastes.

Getting there and back

Harrow is one of the best-connected boroughs of London. With 11 National Rail, London Underground and London Overground stations, it’s possible to get to most areas quickly and easily from central London.

The huge network of buses, many of which are Hoppa services, allow for very easily travel in the parts of Harrow that are not directly served by trains.

The borough is very close to Heathrow airport, which allows for easy international access. The airport is connected by rail links to the rest of London, making any trip reasonably simple in nature.

By car, Harrow can be accessed in less than 20 minutes from the M25, M40, A40, A1 or the A41. Road links are excellent and parking is plentiful around the area.