New to Harlow?
Whether you're moving to Harlow or just getting to know the area, we've got everything you need. Explore our neighbourhood guides, find local schools, understand the transport links, and discover what makes Harlow a great place to live.
Explore Harlow's Neighbourhoods
Each area of Harlow has its own character. Click on a neighbourhood to learn more about what it's like to live there.
Bush Fair
Suburban, family-friendly, well-connected. Close to the hospital and retail parks including Queensgate Centre.
Church Langley
Modern, family-oriented, suburban village feel. Newer housing stock with well-maintained green spaces.
Eastwick & Gilston
Historic rural villages, now on the edge of major development. Strong parish identity and community groups campaigning for balanced growth.
Gilden Park
Established residential, well-located between Old Harlow and central Harlow. Mix of housing types with community feel.
Gilston Park
Brand new development. Modern eco-friendly housing, new schools, green corridors, and community facilities planned from scratch.
Gilston Villages
Master-planned new community. 10,000 homes across 7 villages with schools, health centres, parks, and a new river crossing to Harlow Town Station.
Great Parndon
Diverse, established residential area. Good community facilities and green spaces. Affordable housing options.
Harlow Common
Semi-rural, quieter, on the edge of town. Access to countryside walks and Harlow Common nature area.
Latton Priory
Planned new community on Harlow's southern edge. Will include new schools, green spaces, and community facilities when built.
Little Parndon & Hare Street
Well-connected, riverside setting. Walking distance to Harlow Town station. Mix of housing ages.
Mark Hall
Historic New Town character, mature gardens and trees. Strong community identity. Original Gibberd-planned neighbourhood.
Netteswell
Central, convenient location. Walking distance to town centre shops. Mix of housing types including some modern developments.
Newhall
Award-winning architecture, contemporary design. Higher-end housing with distinctive street scenes. Desirable and well-maintained.
Old Harlow
Historic village atmosphere, independent shops, period architecture. The most characterful part of Harlow with real heritage.
Sawbridgeworth
Historic market town, independent high street, strong community identity. Excellent rail links to London Liverpool Street. Adjacent to Gilston Garden Town.
Staple Tye
Established residential, community-focused. Local shopping parade provides daily essentials. Family-friendly area.
Sumners & Kingsmoor
Residential, mix of housing. Good access to Harlow Mill station and Epping Forest Country Park. Quieter part of town.
Toddbrook
Residential, practical location. Close to employment areas along Edinburgh Way. Affordable housing options.
Water Lane
Planned new neighbourhood on Harlow's eastern edge. Part of the Garden Town growth bringing new schools and community spaces.
Essential Information
Everything you need to know about living in Harlow — transport, schools, healthcare, shopping, and more.
Transport
Train stations, bus routes, the M11, and cycling infrastructure. Harlow Town station has direct trains to London Liverpool Street in 35 minutes.
- Harlow Town Station — 35 mins to London Liverpool Street
- Harlow Mill Station — local services
- M11 Junction 7 — easy access to London, Cambridge, and Stansted
- Arriva & network bus routes across town
- Extensive cycle path network (designed into the New Town)
Schools
Harlow has a range of primary and secondary schools across all areas, with Ofsted ratings from Good to Outstanding.
- Over 25 primary schools across all wards
- Multiple secondary schools including academies
- Harlow College — further education and apprenticeships
- Sir Charles Kao UTC — specialist STEM school
- Church Langley area has particularly well-rated schools
Healthcare
Princess Alexandra Hospital provides A&E, maternity, and specialist services. GP surgeries are spread across all neighbourhoods.
- Princess Alexandra Hospital (A&E, maternity, specialist care)
- Multiple NHS GP surgeries across town
- Several dental practices (NHS and private)
- Walk-in centre for minor ailments
- Pharmacies in every neighbourhood
Parks & Green Spaces
One of the greenest towns in Essex, with 33% of Harlow covered by green space. The town was designed with nature corridors between neighbourhoods.
- Town Park — Harlow's largest park with lake and events
- Parndon Wood Nature Reserve — ancient woodland
- River Stort towpath — walking and cycling
- Harlow Common — countryside on the edge of town
- Green Wedges — unique nature corridors between neighbourhoods
Shopping
From the Harvey Centre in town to retail parks and charming independent shops in Old Harlow.
- Harvey Centre — town centre shopping mall
- Queensgate Centre — retail park near Bush Fair
- Edinburgh Way — retail and business parks
- Old Harlow High Street — independent shops and boutiques
- Staple Tye & Bush Fair — local shopping parades
Moving Checklist
Essential tasks for settling into Harlow.
- Register with a local GP surgery
- Register to vote at your new address (gov.uk)
- Update driving licence and car registration
- Set up council tax with Harlow District Council
- Register children at local schools
- Set up utilities and broadband
- Update your address with banks and subscriptions
- Explore your local area — find your nearest shops and parks
A Town Growing Fast
Harlow is at the heart of one of the UK's largest development programmes. The Harlow & Gilston Garden Town will deliver over 23,000 new homes across seven new villages north of the River Stort, plus new communities at Latton Priory and Water Lane.
This means new schools, health centres, shops, parks, and improved transport links — including a new crossing of the River Stort. It's an exciting time to be in Harlow.
Key Developments
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