Harlow factfile

How to get to Harlow
Harlow is in west Essex, 25 miles north-east of London. The town is close to the M11 (Junction 7) and M25 (Junction 27) motorways, and is also on the Sustrans national cycle network.

Harlow is just 20 minutes from London Stansted airport and has good road and rail links to both the capital and the south-east coast.

Harlow through the ages
Harlow was originally conceived as one of the "New Towns" established after World War II to ease residential overcrowding in London.

The new town incorporated the old town of Harlow, which is now known as Old Harlow and still contains many of the town's historic buildings. Archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of both a Roman settlement and an Iron Age temple.

Shopping in Harlow
Major regeneration in recent years has turned Harlow's centre into a superb contemporary retail and leisure hub. The Water Gardens Shopping Centre combines both shopping and leisure facilities, and the Harvey Centre also offers a wide range of high street shops and eateries.

Harlow Market is held five days a week (not Wednesday or Sunday); the Monday market specialises in antiques and bric-a-brac.

Things to see and do in Harlow
Remarkably for a New Town, Harlow has a total of 13 scheduled ancient monuments.

Chief among these is the ancient Roman Temple Site near Harlow Mill railway station. The finds from this excavation can be seen at the Harlow Museum, which is housed in the stables of Mark Hall Manor House. The house boasts four beautiful landscaped gardens, all open to the public.

Arts and culture in Harlow
Harlow is home the Gibberd Gallery, which houses contemporary works from the private collection of Ronnie Duncan.

If you're looking for local arts and crafts, The Gallery at Parndon Mill is home to the workshops of many local artists, sculptors, photographers and printers. There's an exhibition gallery at Parndon Mill where you can see the works of the residents on display, and once a year in September there is an open studio day with working craft demonstrations.

Harlow's claim to fame
Harlow is home to Britain's first ever residential tower block, The Lawn, which was built in 1951 and is now a Grade II listed building.