Description
Grovefields is a steep grassy slope on one side of Harrow Hill, rising up towards the parish church of St Mary's, where there was evidence of early medieval, or possibly earlier, agricultural use. The land here was part of the estate of Harrow Manor in the C11th and later part of Rectory Manor estate. Now public open space, it is traversed by tarmac paths with perimeter trees, and has fine views over Harrow. The hedged War Memorial is on the former site of the village pound.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | The Grove Open Space; Grove Fields |
|---|---|
| Site location | Lowlands Road/Grove Hill, Harrow on the Hill |
| Postcode | HA1 3AJ |
| What3Words | ///libraries.discrepancy.goes |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Harrow |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Harrow-on-the-Hill (Metropolitan). Bus: 182, 186, 223, 258, H10, H14, H18, H17 |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Grove Open Space, or Grovefields, is a steep grassy slope on one side of Harrow Hill rising up towards St Mary's parish church (q.v.) at the top of the hill. There is evidence of early medieval, or possibly earlier, agricultural use on Harrow Hill in the form of 8 wide terraces or strip lynchets. Other archaeological discoveries here include a post-medieval earth mound at the top near the path that leads to the church and churchyard, as well as the sites of medieval ponds and sluice at the bottom of the hill, and the possible location of a medieval carriageway near the hedged War Memorial. This was erected after WWI in the corner of the site at the junction of Grove Hill and Lowlands Road, which until c.1920 was the site of the village pound.
The land here was once part of the estate of Harrow Manor, recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 when it was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1094 the manor was subdivided and it became part of Rectory Manor estate. The Rectory Manor House may have been located on The Grove, land that is now owned by Harrow School. In 1537 Rectory Manor was leased to Thomas Wriothsley, who became the Earl of Southampton, and who built fishponds in order to breed carp and to supply the house with water. The estate went through a succession of owners including Lord North, the Pitt family, and the Rushout family. The latter family became the Barons of Northwick who also owned the Manor of Flambards (q.v.). In 1805 the estate reputedly had pleasure grounds, woodland, ponds, lower gardens and kitchen gardens, and by 1865 most of the land was part of the Roxborough Estate.
The public open space today is traversed by tarmac paths, with perimeter trees, and fine views over Harrow from the top. A steel sculpture of a leaf has been erected in the north-west corner and symbolises the greenness of Harrow.
The land here was once part of the estate of Harrow Manor, recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 when it was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1094 the manor was subdivided and it became part of Rectory Manor estate. The Rectory Manor House may have been located on The Grove, land that is now owned by Harrow School. In 1537 Rectory Manor was leased to Thomas Wriothsley, who became the Earl of Southampton, and who built fishponds in order to breed carp and to supply the house with water. The estate went through a succession of owners including Lord North, the Pitt family, and the Rushout family. The latter family became the Barons of Northwick who also owned the Manor of Flambards (q.v.). In 1805 the estate reputedly had pleasure grounds, woodland, ponds, lower gardens and kitchen gardens, and by 1865 most of the land was part of the Roxborough Estate.
The public open space today is traversed by tarmac paths, with perimeter trees, and fine views over Harrow from the top. A steel sculpture of a leaf has been erected in the north-west corner and symbolises the greenness of Harrow.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ153877 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 2.56 |
| Site Ownership | LB Harrow |
| Site Management | Environmental Services, Parks Services |
| Listed Structures | Local list: War Memorial |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Harrow |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Roxborough Park and The Grove |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes |
| Green Belt | Yes |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Archaeological Priority Area |
| Other LA Designation | Area of Special Character |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
The church of St Mary Harrow on the Hill dates back to at least medieval times and is on the site of an old hilltop settlement that may have been a pagan religious centre. Harrow on the Hill was once the largest parish in Middlesex, and the village is now dominated by Harrow School. A famous pupil at Harrow, Lord Byron, spent time in the churchyard where he composed poetry. The old part of the churchyard surrounds the church and a detached burial ground was added in the mid C19th. To the north of the church is a memorial garden and C20th parish rooms.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Flambards or Flamberts was probably built in the C14th and by 1664 was the largest house in the village of Harrow on the Hill. The estate was purchased in 1767 by Francis Herne for whom Capability Brown designed a landscape park, later known as Harrow Park. From 1805-23 the estate was the home of John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick who also improved the grounds. A governor of Harrow School, he allowed the boys to use the grounds for recreation. In 1831 part of the estate including a newly built house and Harrow Park was purchased by Revd Phelps, a master at Harrow, for use by the school. The freehold was taken over by the Harrow Park Trust in 1885 and the park was developed for school uses. It was later largely converted as a golf course with a small part as a nature reserve. Mature oaks and a lake on the golf course appear to date from Brown's landscaping, and there are yews, deodars and Wellingtonia near the house.
Flambards or Flamberts was probably built in the C14th and by 1664 was the largest house in the village of Harrow on the Hill. The estate was purchased in 1767 by Francis Herne for whom Capability Brown designed a landscape park, later known as Harrow Park. From 1805-23 the estate was the home of John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick who also improved the grounds. A governor of Harrow School, he allowed the boys to use the grounds for recreation. In 1831 part of the estate including a newly built house and Harrow Park was purchased by Revd Phelps, a master at Harrow, for use by the school. The freehold was taken over by the Harrow Park Trust in 1885 and the park was developed for school uses. It was later largely converted as a golf course with a small part as a nature reserve. Mature oaks and a lake on the golf course appear to date from Brown's landscaping, and there are yews, deodars and Wellingtonia near the house.
Harrow Cemetery was founded by Harrow Burial Board in 1887 and consecrated in 1888. The cemetery has a small one-storey red-brick chapel but the entrance lodge, described as in 'Norman Shaw style', was demolished in 1985. At the entrance are wooden gates and piers, leading to a straight axial drive with lawns on either side. Cemetery planting includes a couple of araucaria, flowering cherries, holly and yew, and four London planes along the road boundary and the southern part has formal flower beds with some exotic shrubs.