Wildlife reserves · London
Harrow Weald Common
In or near South Oxhey.
Harrow Weald Common — nature reserve in Harrow Weald, Greater London, England.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 2 h–4 h
- Best time of year
- Autumn & winter (migration & wildfowl)
- Nearest railway station
- Hatch End · 2.2 km
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Harrow Weald Common, the nearest railway station is Hatch End, located 2.2 km away. Entry to the reserve is free, and it can be accessed using the postcode HA3 6SF.
About
Harrow Weald Common is a wildlife reserve in the United Kingdom. Heritage designation: Site of Nature Conservation Interest. Wikidata describes it as: "nature reserve in Harrow Weald, Greater London, England". Coordinates: 51.6240°, -0.3460°.
Photo gallery
Official information
Grim's Dyke is a historic country house set in 40 acres of gardens and grounds, offering a tranquil escape for visitors. The venue hosts a variety of events, including live entertainment, dining experiences, and weddings, while also providing accommodation options.
Protected designations
- Site of Special Scientific Interest: Harrow Weald SSSI
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Chilterns
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Harrow Weald Common is an 18-hectare area of woodland, heath and pasture in Harrow Weald in the London Borough of Harrow. It is considered of considerable importance for wildlife, and it was formerly part of the Stanmore and Harrow Weald Commons and Bentley Priory Site of Special Scientific Interest, but in 1987 the boundaries of the SSSI were revised to exclude the Common. It has been designated by the Mayor of London as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The word weald is derived from Old English wald, a wooded upland. Harrow Weald Common is one of the remnants of the once extensive Forest of Middlesex. In the 18th century it was a haunt of highwaymen. Following the inclosure acts, one of the rights granted to the commoners was gravel extraction, and this took place on a large scale in the 19th century. In the 1880s there was an attempt to get government agreement to the sale of the Common, but a successful campaign to oppose this was supported by W. S. Gilbert, who lived locally at a house called Grim's Dyke. The (62 & 63 Vict. c. xxxvii) revoked most of the rights of the commoners and a board of Conservators was set up to manage the…
Description
The site includes Grims' Dyke Open Space. Grim's Dyke or Grim's Ditch is an ancient earthwork which runs for three miles between Harrow Weald Common and Pinner Green. Its purpose is unknown, and it may date from the fifth or sixth centuries. Adjacent to the site are the City Open Space, Harrow Weald SSSI, a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest, and Bentley Priory Nature Reserve, a biological SSSI. There is access from Common Road and Old Redding.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 51.6240, -0.3460
- District
- Harrow
- Parish
- Harrow, unparished area
- Postcode
- HA3 6SF
- Parliamentary constituency
- Harrow East
- Nearest railway station
- Hatch End — 2.2 km
- Official site
- grimsdyke.com
Sources
- wikidata: Q5666594 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Harrow Weald Common (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Harrow Weald Common path.JPG (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Ronson Family Community Centre
Historic churches · 0.4 km
Norman Shaw, Frederick Goodall, W.S. Gilbert
Memorials & monuments · 0.4 km
Grim's Dyke Hotel
Manor houses · 0.4 km
Grim's Dyke Hotel
Hotels · 0.4 km
Bentley Priory Museum
Museums · 0.9 km
Bushey Heath
Mountains & hills · 1.1 km
Grim's Ditch
Archaeological sites · 1.2 km
Stanmore Common
Wildlife reserves · 1.3 km
Harrow Weald Cemetery Extension
Cemeteries · 1.3 km
Bushey United Synagogue
Historic churches · 1.5 km
Stanmore
Chapels · 1.6 km
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Merry Hill
Archaeological sites · 1.8 km
Nearby
📷 5Historic churches · London
Ronson Family Community Centre
Ronson Family Community Centre — a church in england-london, United Kingdom.
📷 5Memorials & monuments · London
Norman Shaw, Frederick Goodall, W.S. Gilbert
Norman Shaw, Frederick Goodall, W.S. Gilbert — a memorial in england-london, United Kingdom.
📷 5Manor houses · London
Grim's Dyke Hotel
Grim's Dyke Hotel — a manor in england-london, United Kingdom.
📷 5📷 5Museums · London
Bentley Priory Museum
Bentley Priory Museum — a museum in england-london, United Kingdom.
📷 5Where to eat & stay near Harrow Weald Common
Places to stay
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📷 5Places to eat & drink
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Horse And Chains Public House
Horse And Chains Public House in England London, United Kingdom.
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The Hand In Hand Public House
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The One Crown Public House
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The Waggon And Horses Public House
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Harrow Weald Common?
- Harrow Weald Common is in London, United Kingdom (postcode HA3 6SF), in the parish of Harrow, unparished area.
- What is Harrow Weald Common?
- Harrow Weald Common — nature reserve in Harrow Weald, Greater London, England.
- How do I get to Harrow Weald Common?
- The nearest railway station is Hatch End, about 2.2 km away. Drivers can use postcode HA3 6SF.
- Is Harrow Weald Common a listed building?
- Harrow Weald Common is officially recognised as Site of Nature Conservation Interest listed.
- Is Harrow Weald Common a protected site?
- Yes — Harrow Weald Common is part of the Harrow Weald SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the Chilterns National Landscape (AONB).
- Is Harrow Weald Common free to visit?
- Yes, Harrow Weald Common is free to enter.
- How do I get to Harrow Weald Common?
- The nearest railway station is Hatch End, about 2.2 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode HA3 6SF.
- Are dogs allowed at Harrow Weald Common?
- Most wildlife reserves allow dogs on lead only, with restrictions during ground-nesting bird season (March-July). Check signage at the reserve.