Harrow Weald Common
This area of common land in Harrow has some nice footpaths to try. There's 18 hectares to explore with woodland, heath and pasture. The common has a car park off Old Redding Road where you can pick up the trails. Head west and you will soon come to Gilberts Lake and Gilberts Orchard. You'll also pass Grim's Dyke, an ancient earthwork which runs for three miles between the common and Pinner Green. From the high points in the park there are nice views of Central London and the Chilterns. The Harrow Viewpoint on Old Redding is a popular spot and a great place to soak in the extensive views.
The common is also great for interesting flora and fauna. Look out for magnificent redwoods, rhododendrons and marsh plants like yellow iris and willow scrub. Keep you eyes peeled for wildlife such as red fox, muntjac deer and a variety of butterflies in the summer months.
The London Loop passes through the common so there is scope for extending your walk. If you head east you can visit Bentley Priory and Stanmore Common where there are more good walking trails to try. Heading west will take you to Oxhey Woods where there is a fine sculpture trail.
Postcode
HA3 6SE - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsHarrow Weald Common Ordnance Survey Map 
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Walks near Harrow
- London Loop - Also known as the London Outer Orbital Path, this walk takes you on a tour of the parks, woods and fields around the edge of Outer London
- Oxhey Woods - These peaceful woods near Watford have nice footpaths and a popular sculpture trail to follow
- Stanmore Common - This is a walk across Stanmore Common to Aldenham Country Park using part of the London Loop long distance trail
- Harrow Viewpoint - This walk visits the splendid Harrow Viewpoint in North London
- Bentley Priory - This circular walk explores the popular Bentley Priory nature reserve in Harrow
- Scratchwood and Moat Mount Open Space - These two parks are situated right next to each other in the London Borough of Barnet
Pubs/Cafes
On the western side of the common there's the Grim's Dyke Hotel for some post walk refreshment. The hotel includes the Library Bar where you can enjoy light bites, sandwiches and cakes. It's a lovely spot with the bar overlooking the hotel's gardens, terrace and croquet lawn.
The 19th-century Tudor-style country house is located in the former home of Sir William Gilbert. Gilbert was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his collaboration with composer Arthur Sullivan, which produced fourteen comic operas including The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Borehamwood Walk starts from the train station in the town. It visits the common, Aldenham Country Park, Bentley Priory and Stanmore Commons. It's a nice way of seeing some of the walking highlights of the area using public transport.
To the south is the historic Harrow On The Hill. The village is an interesting place for a walk with a noteworthy 11th century church and the famous 17th century public school to explore. There are also great views over London from the elevated position of the ancient church on the hill.
For more walking ideas in the area see the London Walks page.
Photos
Gilbert's lake
Woodland path on Harrow Weald Common. Taken on the London Loop Footpath looking south.
Grim's Dyke Hotel, from the garden. Grim's Dyke is most famous for its association with the librettist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert, the writing half of the Gilbert & Sullivan partnership, who lived in the house from 1890 to his death in 1911. The name Grim's Dyke comes from an ancient defensive earthwork which runs from Pinner Hill to Bentley Priory. The House was built there in 1870 for the Victorian Painter Frederick Goodall, who had bought 100 acres of land at Harrow Weald in 1856 but was unable to build for 12 years until the expiry of a lease. During that time he landscaped the area and planted trees, setting aside 30 acres parallel to the ancient earthwork for the house and gardens. Work started on the house in 1870 and was completed in 1872. The house was designed by Norman Shaw, a well-known architect of the time who also designed the New Scotland Yard building. The Gilberts bought the property in 1890. During his 21 years there, Gilbert made a number of changes to the house and grounds. He planted trees and rhododendrons, developed the farm which was part of the estate, and built a number of greenhouses beyond the moat and over the dyke. There was a kitchen garden, orchard and vinery and, for Lady Gilbert who was a keen gardener, a sunken rose garden was constructed on the terrace above the moat.
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Garden of Grims Dyke Hotel, Hatch End. Gilbert's greatest joy was the large lake he had excavated to the south of the house. It had an island in the middle and a changing hut and boathouse on the shore. Every day in the summer he would bathe there - a habit which eventually cost him his life. On 29th May 1911 Gilbert invited two local girls to swim in the lake. He died attempting to help one of them when she got into difficulties. Gilbert seems to have lived very happily at Grim's Dyke surrounded by animals and pets, of which there were a great number, many wandering freely about the house. He worked every day in the library where he could look out through the French windows onto the croquet lawn. Lady Gilbert remained in the house until her death in 1936. Between 1963 and 1968 the house was used as a film and television location. In 1970, when it was converted into a hotel, Grim's Dyke was designated a building of special architectural and historical interest. The present owners took over the property in 1996 when the Grade II listed building was extensively restored and refurbished in the country house style.
The London Loop on Harrow Weald Common
