Situated between Northwick Park, Rayners Lane and West Harrow, Harrow on the Hill is positioned in the south-eastern part of the London borough of Harrow. It was named after Harrow Hill, which stands at 124 metres or 408 feet high and is located approximately 0.5 miles south of Harrow.
In 2021, Harrow on the Hill recorded an overall average property price of £554,640. This makes the area more expensive than the Wealdstone which recorded an average price of 412,500 during the same period. Conversely, Harrow on the Hill is generally more affordable than Great Stanmore where the average property fetched £749,408.
Most of the properties sold in Harrow on the Hill in 2021 were flats which fetched £379,102 on average. Semi-detached properties in the area fetched an average price of £611,611, and terraced properties in Harrow on the Hill averaged £568,373.
Properties in Harrow on the Hill were 18% higher than in 2020, and a further 18% up on prices in 2017 when the average property price was £469,820.
What is living in Harrow on the Hill like?
Harrow on the Hill village dates back to the early medieval times when it was developed around the site of the 11th century St Mary's Church. It occupies a good position in the borough of Harrow, with Sudbury, Wembley and Greenford to the south, West Harrow, Harrow and Kenton to the north, South Harrow to the west, and Northwick Park to the east.
In terms of public transport, Harrow on the Hill is extremely well served. Harrow on the Hill station is positioned on the Metropolitan Underground line and it also offers National Rail services which run on the London Marylebone to Aylesbury line. Harrow on the Hill is the final stop on the Metropolitan line from Central London before it splits and heads towards Moor Park and Uxbridge. There are also several other adjacent stations, including Northwick Park, North Harrow, Moor Park, and West Harrow which gives commuters plenty of choice. There is also a bus station positioned next to Harrow on the Hill station, which offers services across North London.
Harrow on the Hill is perhaps best known for being home to Harrow School, which boasts some of the most impressive and historical buildings in the borough. However, the area is also home to plenty of other excellent schools, including Whitmore High School, St Dominic's Sixth Form College and St Anselm's Catholic Primary School, all of which have been rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.
Living in Harrow on the Hill pros and cons
Pro: Lots of green spaces and an overall peaceful environment
Harrow on the Hill boasts a plethora of leafy, quiet streets and beautiful open spaces which can feel as though they are a world away from the hustle and bustle of central London. One of the most notable areas of open space is Northwick Park, which boasts a variety of sporting facilities including two Gaelic football pitches, three cricket pitches and numerous softball areas. The park also has a large pavilion which was built in the early 1950s.
Con: Air quality
Although drivers who own vehicles that do not conform to ULEZ zone standards will be pleased to learn that Harrow on the Hill is outside the parameters of the extended zone, this does appear to be having an impact on air quality in the area.
As of late January 2021, levels of air pollution have exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on 15 out of the last 30 days. Over the course of a year, Harrow on the Hill residents may be exposed to levels of air pollution that are almost four times higher than WHO recommendations.
Pro: Village feel with a cosmopolitan atmosphere
Although Harrow on the Hill is in an out of town location, the extensive range of transport connections to the City and other parts of central London have made it an attractive prospect for both young families and professionals alike. This has contributed to the development of a cosmopolitan atmosphere, with plenty of quirky independent shops and restaurants to enjoy. There are also several classes and activities on offer for both children and adults to take part in, providing excellent opportunities to make new friends in the local area. Importantly, though, Harrow on the Hill hasn't lost any of its charm, and retains its village-like feel that makes it one of the most popular areas in the borough of Harrow.
Is Harrow on the Hill a safe place to live?
There were 1,496 crimes recorded in Harrow on the Hill between January 2020 and December 2021. This is a similar figure to that seen in neighbouring Roxeth, and notably less than the crime rate in both Roxbourne and Greenhill. However, crime in Harrow on the Hill was significantly higher than in nearby West Harrow and Rayner's Lane.
Violent crimes accounted for 555 reports in Harrow on the Hill, with the area seeing 219 vehicle offences, 143 instances of theft and 132 reports of arson and criminal damage. Statistics from November 2021 illustrated that the High Street area in Harrow on the Hill can be a hotspot for violent crime.
Crime in Harrow on the Hill experienced peaks in January 2020, August 2020, and July 2021 when there were 87, 79, and 77 cases recorded respectively. Crime in the area was very low in June 2020, when just 37 incidents were reported. Cases consistently decreased between September 2021 and December 2021, falling from 62 cases to 47.
In November 2021, Harrow on the Hill experienced five crimes per 1,000 residents, which was lower than the six crimes per 1,000 residents seen across the borough of Harrow, and the eight crimes per 1,000 residents recorded across London.
Which celebrities live in Harrow on the Hill?
The borough of Harrow has seen a varied selection of famous faces setting up home on its streets throughout the decades, including astronomer Patrick Moore, singer Peter André, comedian Ronnie Barker, politician Diane Abbott and designer Dame Vivienne Westwood.
Additionally, plenty of well-known figures have attended Harrow School over the years. Singer James Blunt, poet Lord Byron and actor Benedict Cumberbatch were all educated at Harrow School, as was pianist James Rhodes and former prime minister Winston Churchill.
Cream's drummer Ginger Baker lived in Harrow on the Hill, as has journalist Kay Burley and children's Laureate Michael Rosen.
Things to consider when moving to Harrow on the Hill
Harrow on the Hill is located in Zone 5, which means that some consideration will need to be given to the cost of transportation into central London if this is a journey you will need to make on a regular basis. Currently an annual travel card costs £2,532.
As Harrow on the Hill hasn't been subjected to lots of new development projects, the property on offer is very traditional, which will particularly appeal to families looking to put down roots in the area. Unsurprisingly, as the area and the surrounding area is home to numerous highly regarded schools rated 'Outstanding' and 'Good' by Ofsted, property that hits the market are particularly competitive, which is something to keep in mind when you are planning your move.