Description
In Roman times tile-making was carried out in Stanmore and there are Roman tiles in the fabric of St Lawrence Whitchurch. The C12th church was rebuilt in 1715 by John James for the Duke of Chandos, owner of the Canons estate, although the early C16th west tower remains. It has a fine early C18th baroque interior. Handel was appointed music master at Canons in 1718 and played the church organ. The rustic lych-gate at the entrance of the churchyard was erected to the memory of Dr Findlater and there are some good chest tombs and monuments particularly near the church; the churchyard to the north is open with a few scattered trees.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Parish Church of Little Stanmore |
|---|---|
| Site location | Whitchurch Lane/St Lawrence Close |
| Postcode | HA8 6RB |
| What3Words | ///ports.shaped.pads |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Harrow |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted. Church open Sundays 2pm - 5pm (4pm in winter) |
| Events | Church has opened for London Open House and OGSW |
| Public Transport | Tube: Canons Park (Jubilee). Bus: 79, 186, 340 |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
In Roman times tile-making was carried out in Stanmore, and up to 26 potters may have worked in this area; the medieval church of St Lawrence Whitchurch has Roman tiles in its fabric. In medieval times Stanmore was woodland and pasture with a number of manor houses, that of Stanmore Chenduit was mentioned in 1260-1 and that of Wimborough was referred to until 1753. The estate of Canons, or Cannons as it was previously spelt, is so-called after the Augustinian canons of the Priory of St Bartholomew in Smithfield, who owned the Manor of Stanmore in 1086 and were gifted the land in 1330. An old hedgerow between Southern Parkland and Whitchurch Avenue (the old name for an avenue in the park, mentioned in Chandos's accounts) and the Spinney woodland may be remnants of the earlier landscape.
Prior to the C20th Little Stanmore was a small hamlet centred on St Lawrence's Church at the southern approach to Canons Park (q.v.). John Brydges, Duke of Chandos and owner of Canons, had the C12th church rebuilt in 1715 by John James, although the early C16th west tower remains. Its early C18th baroque interior has altar paintings by Antonio Bellucci, and frescoed walls and ceiling vault by Louis Laguerre. The mausoleum by Gibbs was added in 1735/36. Handel was appointed music master at Canons in 1718 and played the organ in St Lawrence's. His piece 'The Harmonious Blacksmith' was apparently inspired when sheltering in the nearby forge. Friends of St Lawrence was formed 1971 to look after the church. The rustic lych-gate at the entrance of the churchyard was erected to the memory of Dr Findlater by his friends 'as a token of their appreciation and affection' and the path leads through a short avenue of yews to the church. There are some good chest tombs and monuments particularly near the church. The churchyard to the north is open with a few scattered trees and is railed from a woodland area. It can also be reached through Canons Park down one of 4 radiating avenues with the church terminating the southern end.
Prior to the C20th Little Stanmore was a small hamlet centred on St Lawrence's Church at the southern approach to Canons Park (q.v.). John Brydges, Duke of Chandos and owner of Canons, had the C12th church rebuilt in 1715 by John James, although the early C16th west tower remains. Its early C18th baroque interior has altar paintings by Antonio Bellucci, and frescoed walls and ceiling vault by Louis Laguerre. The mausoleum by Gibbs was added in 1735/36. Handel was appointed music master at Canons in 1718 and played the organ in St Lawrence's. His piece 'The Harmonious Blacksmith' was apparently inspired when sheltering in the nearby forge. Friends of St Lawrence was formed 1971 to look after the church. The rustic lych-gate at the entrance of the churchyard was erected to the memory of Dr Findlater by his friends 'as a token of their appreciation and affection' and the path leads through a short avenue of yews to the church. There are some good chest tombs and monuments particularly near the church. The churchyard to the north is open with a few scattered trees and is railed from a woodland area. It can also be reached through Canons Park down one of 4 radiating avenues with the church terminating the southern end.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ185913 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Diocese of London |
| Site Management | Church; Friends of St Lawrence |
| Dates | C12th onwards |
| Listed Structures | LBI: St Lawrence's Church |
| 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 | Canons Park Estate |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | No |
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
Named after the Duke of Chandos of Canons, Chandos Recreation Ground was laid out pre-war on a hilly site and is criss-crossed by paths, some of which are lined with avenues of trees. The original gates remain and at the entrances are shrubbery beds and some formal beds. A brick pavilion with mock-Tudor triangular pediment is situated at the top plateau of the recreation ground, in front of which is a tarmaced terrace leading to grass and a strip of flower beds that overlooks the landscape, with a short central flight of steps set into low brick wall. Chandos Park has recently undergone significant renovations as part of the Action for Silk Stream project, enhancing its natural beauty and facilities for the local community.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Canons Park is a fragment of the great C18th landscape garden laid out for the Duke and Duchess of Chandos. The estate is so-called after the Augustinian canons of St Bartholomew in Smithfield, who owned the Manor of Stanmore in 1086. The estate had various subsequent owners, notably William Hallett who rebuilt the house in 1760, and Sir Thomas Plummer, who may have sought Humphry Repton's advice on the landscape. The last private owner was Sir Arthur du Cros, for whom formal Arts & Crafts style gardens were laid out by Charles Mallows. The estate was eventually broken up in the early C20th, the house and 10 acres of land purchased for North London Collegiate School in 1929. Part of the remainder of the estate was acquired by Harrow Council and became the public park, although land to the east and west was also sold off for building. 85 acres were sold for the Canons Park Estate, which retained features of the earlier landscape, mature trees and two lakes. In the late 1930s the George V Memorial Garden was laid out within the old walled kitchen garden.
Canons Park is a fragment of the great C18th landscape garden laid out for the Duke and Duchess of Chandos. The estate is so-called after the Augustinian canons of St Bartholomew in Smithfield, who owned the Manor of Stanmore in 1086. The estate had various subsequent owners, notably William Hallett who rebuilt the house in 1760, and Sir Thomas Plummer, who may have sought Humphry Repton's advice on the landscape. The last private owner was Sir Arthur du Cros, for whom formal Arts & Crafts style gardens were laid out by Charles Mallows. The estate was eventually broken up in the early C20th, the house and 10 acres of land purchased for North London Collegiate School in 1929. Part of the remainder of the estate was acquired by Harrow Council and became the public park, although land to the east and west was also sold off for building. 85 acres were sold for the Canons Park Estate, which retained features of the earlier landscape, mature trees and two lakes. In the late 1930s the George V Memorial Garden was laid out within the old walled kitchen garden.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
With the adjacent Canons Park, the grounds of North London Collegiate School are a fragment of the grand early C18th landscape of Canons laid out for the Duke and Duchess of Chandos. The estate is so-called after the Augustinian canons of St Bartholomew in Smithfield, who owned the Manor of Stanmore in 1086. The estate had various subsequent owners, notably William Hallett who rebuilt the house in 1760, and Sir Thomas Plumer, who may have sought Humphry Repton's advice on the landscape. The last private owner was Sir Arthur du Cros, for whom formal Arts & Crafts style gardens were laid out in 1910 by Charles Mallows, and were highly regarded. The estate was eventually broken up in the early C20th, the house and 10 acres of land purchased for the school in 1929. In addition to remnants of the C18th and C19th landscaping, the school grounds retain Mallows' formal gardens, particularly south-east of the main building, which is the core of Hallett's villa.
With the adjacent Canons Park, the grounds of North London Collegiate School are a fragment of the grand early C18th landscape of Canons laid out for the Duke and Duchess of Chandos. The estate is so-called after the Augustinian canons of St Bartholomew in Smithfield, who owned the Manor of Stanmore in 1086. The estate had various subsequent owners, notably William Hallett who rebuilt the house in 1760, and Sir Thomas Plumer, who may have sought Humphry Repton's advice on the landscape. The last private owner was Sir Arthur du Cros, for whom formal Arts & Crafts style gardens were laid out in 1910 by Charles Mallows, and were highly regarded. The estate was eventually broken up in the early C20th, the house and 10 acres of land purchased for the school in 1929. In addition to remnants of the C18th and C19th landscaping, the school grounds retain Mallows' formal gardens, particularly south-east of the main building, which is the core of Hallett's villa.
