Description
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.
Practical Information
| Site location | Pinner Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | HA1 4JA |
| What3Words | ///sparks.photo.spice |
| Type of Site | Cemetery |
| Borough | Harrow |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | Nov/Dec: 9am - 4.30pm; Jan-Mar/Oct: 9am - 5.30pm; April/Sept: 9am - 7pm; May-August: 9am - 8pm. |
| Public Transport | Tube/Rail: Harrow on the Hill (Metropolitan). Bus: 183, 350 |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Although family plots are still in use it is no longer used for burials, having been superseded by Harrow Weald Cemetery and Pinner New Cemetery (q.q.v.).
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ146882 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 2.5 |
| Site Ownership | LB Harrow |
| Site Management | Environmental Services, Cemetery Office |
| Dates | 1887 |
| Listed Structures | Local list: Harrow Cemetery Mortuary Chapel |
| 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 | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Open Space |
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
Harrow Recreation Ground opened in 1885, the land purchased as a result of fund-raising initiated by one of the Masters at Harrow School. Laid out with facilities for sports clubs and 4 areas for public recreation, the park has long been associated with Harrow St Mary's Sports Club and Harrow Bowls Club, the latter founded in 1902. Original wrought iron gates are found at a number of entrances. An avenue of oak trees were planted along a central path by outgoing Mayors of the borough from 1989-2004.
West Harrow Recreation Ground dates from between the 2 world wars but is distinguished by its trees that predate the park layout. The area was predominantly rural before the arrival of the railway brought housing development. The Metropolitan Railway extended the line to Uxbridge in 1904 and West Harrow Station opened in November 1913, within two years recording some 43,000 passengers a month. As housing grew up the park was provided for the new residential population.
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.