One of the East of England’s best-known and successful post-war New Towns, Harlow is undergoing some significant investment to bring it up-to-date and appeal to house-hunters wanting a combination of high-quality brand new home, a range of practical and fun places on the doorstep and some excellent transport links.
The original village of Old Harlow is still there, predating the Domesday Book and still peppered with numerous Grade I and Grade II listed buildings, but the development of the new town started in 1947. Harlow expanded significantly but this stalled in the 1960s, when the population started falling and funds ran out to keep pace with progress and attract people back.
However, in recent years, government and private developers have seen the potential of renewing the town as a commuter hub with easy access to both London and Cambridge yet with properties much more affordable than those in these cities. There have already been many new homes built and successfully sold, with the apartments and houses suiting all sorts of buyers and budgets.
It’s not just property prices which have made more people attracted to life here. The new regeneration includes new and updated green open spaces and walkways, and the creation of a Garden Quarter. Harlow already holds the title of ‘The World's First Sculpture Town’, with over 80 major works from artists including Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Rodin.
The successful Harlow Innovation Park and other commercial sites will offer job opportunities for residents too, including those purchasing one of over 20,000 new homes in the planning pipeline.
What are some of the highlights that Harlow and the surrounding area offer?
Shops
The Harvey Centre, Broad Walk and Water Gardens are the main central places with national brands and independent stores, but there are parades of shops across the town and the Staple Tye Shopping Centre in the south of the town has a large Lidl, Poundland and drive-through McDonalds.
Food and drink
Lots of highly rated pubs, bars and restaurants which include:
The Dusty Miller
Garden of India – TripAdvisor reviews including: “Wow, the food is absolutely beautiful, the service is fantastic and Mo, he is a gem.”
The Hare
Music and entertainment
Phoenix Live, situated in the Harvey Centre, is a popular venue that hosts a spectrum of music events, from acoustic nights and 1940s tribute bands to cocktails and karaoke. You’ll find live music in several pubs around town too. The Playhouse Harlow is a place to enjoy music as well as comedy, theatre, dance and circus acts.
Sport and fitness
The town has teams and clubs across a whole range of sports. There’s also a host of other facilities across the town such as gyms, sports pitches and a skatepark. The Leisurezone [https://www.harlowleisurezone.co.uk/ ] sports centre is home to a swimming pool, racket sports courts, spa, fitness/personal trainers, indoor climbing and soft play.
Find out more about current developments in and around Harlow.
Countryside and open spaces
There’s some great green space to enjoy in this area. Harlow is in the Stort Valley and close to the Lee Valley, both home to a variety of wildlife and easily accessible on foot and bike. Harlow Town Park covers 177 acres (71.6 hectares) and provides a multitude of things to enjoy, including a showground, gardens and adventure playground.
Transport connections
By road, the A414, M11 and M25 are all within easy reach of Harlow. Typical journey times are one hour to central London, 50 minutes to Cambridge and 30 minutes to Chelmsford. There are two railway stations, Harlow Town and Harlow Mill, which offer services to the likes of London Liverpool Street (30-40 minutes), Cambridge (40-50 minutes), Stansted Airport (19 mins) and Bishops Stortford (13 minutes).
Healthcare
The Princess Alexandra Hospital is located in the town centre and has Accident and Emergency facilities, while the private Rivers Hospital is in Sawbridgeworth.
Education
Harlow has numerous high standard schools for children of all ages. Among the most notable are Hare Street Community Primary School and Nursery and Burnt Mill Academy, both rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. There is independent education too, with St Nicholas School, located on the eastern outskirts of town, among them. Further education in the area includes Harlow College (‘Good’) and Essex Teacher Training.
For house-hunters considering buying a brand new home in or near Harlow, there are currently a host of possibilities to consider. Any offers, initiatives and assistance schemes mentioned are all subject to terms and conditions.
Find out more about brand new homes for sale in the following areas:
Base at Newhall from Countryside Partnerships
New homes for sale in Harlow
Weston Homes has seen great success at its Edinburgh Way development, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the station, including winning a prestigious Best Starter Homes Scheme prize at the WhatHouse? Awards 2021. Now, some 85% of homes there are no sold but there’s still a good array of one- and two-bedroom apartments for sale, with prices from £235,500 to £340,500. Each comes with an open-plan kitchen/dining/living room and complete with everything you’ll want when you move in, with no hidden costs for things like flooring or kitchen appliances. Property-seekers are invited to pop into the marketing suite seven days a week, between 10.00am to 5.00pm, to ask about Deposit Unlock and current offers worth up to £12,000. Find out more about Edinburgh Way.
To the east of the town, neighbouring Old Harlow, Base at Newhall is another WhatHouse? Award-winning development, this one from Countryside Partnerships and eventually comprising hundreds of new apartments and houses in a thoroughtly contemporary architecture to appeal to many buyers with different requirements and budgets. These are complemented by new shops and facilities, including an already-open primary school, together with open green space and sports pitches. A two-bedroom show apartment at Base has recently been completely redesigned by Abode Interiors and is open to visitors daily between 10.00am and 5.00pm. Prices start at £247,500. Find out more about Base at Newhall.
Troy Homes is busy in the well-served village of Nazeing, just south-west of the town, at a development called Meadow View, with a mix of affordable and open market properties. The 18 private sale properties are three- and four-bedroom semi-detached properties with views over the surrounding countryside. Features include fully fitted kitchens, en suite to main bedrooms, private parking and an electric car charger to every home. Find out more about Meadow View.
Prisma Property Developments’ Flora Gardens is under a mile from Harlow Town station and within a few minutes’ walk of the Harvey Centre and Water Gardens. The current collection of 122 new apartments is called The Square and could make a perfect choice for first-time buyers and downsizers alike. There’s private outside space to many properties and communal landscaped gardens too. Prices currently start at £150,000 for one-bedroom apartment. Find out more at www.lanesexclusivehomes.co.uk.
North of Harlow and just over the border in Hertfordshire, David Wilson Homes – part of former WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year Barratt Developments – has a development called Sawbridge Park. Currently there is just one two-bedroom home remaining for sale, priced from £400,000, and a number of four-bedroom house types which start at £615,000, with some ready to move into this autumn. It’s under five minutes’ drive from the centre of Sawbridgeworth and its station. Find out more about Sawbridge Park.
Find out more about current developments in and around Harlow.
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