This neighbourhood, developed around the former Kodak Factory, is now a fairly affluent suburban village in North West London. Serviced by the Overground via Headstone Lane station, the area is accessible from central London while still being a leafy serene escape. Families are drawn to the area for the wonderful schools, as well as the plethora of green space. Between Headstone Manor and Recreation Space, Pinner Park, and Harrow Saint Mary’s Cricket Club, there’s plenty of reason to visit the area even if you’re not a resident. With all of these as well as the independent pubs on the high street, like local favourites Three Wishes and Broadwalk Bar, it’s no wonder residents feel it’s one of London’s best kept secrets.

A good portion of this neighbourhood surrounds Headstone Manor and Recreation Ground. Headstone Manor dates back to 825 AD when it was a part of Archbishop of Canterbury’s manor. However, in 1546, the manor was surrendered to Henry VIII, who eventually sold the property to Edward North. Following this sale, the land became a working farm, eventually falling into disrepair by the 20th century. At this point, the land was repurposed to make way for housing and eventually a recreation ground. By 1968, the remaining manor land became the responsibility of the London Borough of Harrow - which then led to the eventual creation of a museum celebrating the area’s history in 1986.

Famous actor, Philip Glenister, attended school in the neighbourhood at Hatch End High School. He’s most well-known for his roles in the tv series Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.

While the area is close to other neighbourhoods’ tube stops, North Harrow only has bus lines and the Headstone Lane Overground station. Unfortunately, service from the Overground station to central London can be infrequent and is a long ride. However, residents feel that the detachment from central London is worth it for the plethora of green space and high safety ratings.

Harrow is high on the agenda for the Mayor of London, thanks to its excellent transport connections to central London and wider connections to northwest London. This is reflected in the Mayor’s Outer London Fund, which has given £472,000 for Round One and £1.8m for Round Two, (which will be matched by £1 million from Harrow Council) for wide-ranging improvements to Harrow Town Centre. The borough on the whole is set for a total rejeuvenation too, with the £690m ‘Building a Better Harrow’ scheme in conjunction with Wates Residential, set to bring 1,500 new affordable homes, a civic centre, numerous new commercial spaces, as well as plenty of new and improved green space over the coming ten years. The focus of these developments will be at Poet’s Corner, Byron Park, and Peel House car park, the latter of which is located near to the neighbourhood.

From 2019 to 2021, restoration work were carried out at Headstone Manor Park to renovate the recreation grounds. The site today operates as Headstone Manor Park and Museum. Works included extensive wetland systems and river improvements, as well as improved play facilities and access for all around the grounds. The designs focus on river restoration and revealing the culverted Yeading Brook, to enhance the site’s wildlife value as well as flood resilience. The Park was opened to the public in 2021 and has since received Green Flag status, making it officially one of five Harrow parks that have retained their status as some of the best parks in the country.