This is a short urban walk exploring the 'lost landscapes of Middlesex'. I was recently introduced to a secret park which I never knew about, and realised this must be the summit of the original Sudbury Hill before it was swallowed up under the tide of suburban housing. The walk visits Elm Park and also takes you past the Harrow School sports fields. It starts and finishes near Harrow School, Harrow-on-the-Hill.
(S/E) From Harrow Hilll High Street follow London Road to the junction with Roxeth Hill. Continue to your left on London Road. The road starts to descend and changes its name to Sudbury Hill.
(1) Turn right when you get to South Hill Avenue. Just across to your left here is a signposted bridle path officially know as Green Lane but known to locals as 'Piggy Lane'. This is an ancient wooded track which you follow to Sudbury Hill.
(2) At the bottom of the lane turn left and walk along South Vale to join Greenford Road. Cross the railway line to your right. Turn left into Rosebank Avenue. You are now sandwiched between two railway lines. Follow Rosebank Avenue and then Maybank Avenue until you reach Harrow Road.
(3) Cross the road into Elms Lane and keep left.
(4) Look out for the entrance to Elmwood Park on your left. It is a fairly steep climb to the top of the park but well worth it for the views from the summit. The park is small, and is known locally as 'The Pimple'! Exit the park onto Sudbury Court Road. Turn left to join Sudbury Court Drive, then go right, crossing to the other side of this busy dual carriageway when you can.
(5) Turn left into Mulgrave Road. This will take you on to Pebworth Road, where the signposted entrance to the bridle path back up to Harrow Hill is just ahead of you. Follow signs across the Harrow School estate. A steep climb up Football Lane takes you on to Peterborough Road, where you go left to rejoin your starting point.(S/E)
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 114 m - Harrow Hill
1 : km 0.5 - alt. 98 m - Green Lane
2 : km 0.93 - alt. 64 m - South Vale
3 : km 2.53 - alt. 59 m - Harrow Road
4 : km 3.11 - alt. 73 m - Entrance to Elmwood Park
5 : km 3.87 - alt. 76 m - Mulgrave Road
S/E : km 6.24 - alt. 114 m - Harrow Hill
Useful Information
The public right of way which crosses the Harrow School Estate from Pebworth Road to Football Lane can be muddy at times.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Shops and cafes at Sudbury Hill and Harrow Hill High Street. You could also make the walk longer by diverting through Maybank Open Space (see map) to Sudbury and Harrow Road where there are shops including a Wenzels Bakery and cafes, plus access to Barham Park with its lovely walled garden. For anyone who is not familiar with the area, there are cafes and restaurants on Harrow Hill High Street and you could spend some time at the beginning or end of the walk exploring the environs of Harrow School. That could easily be a walk in itself, and one where you would be joined by many other walkers, particularly at weekends.
Reviews and comments
2.5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Clarity of route description 2 / 5
Clarity of route map Non utilisé
Walk interest 3 / 5
Linda N
You are quite right about the confusing first instruction so apologies - I'll edit the walk description. I'm new to this!
It's a great lockdown walk for locals who want to escape the crowds on Harrow Hill.
Grandma
Overall rating :
2.5 / 5
Date of walk : 06/03/21 Clarity of route description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing Clarity of route map : N/A Walk interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
The very first instruction of which ‘hill’ to walk down was inaccurate. First you have to walk UP a hill and THEN DOWN.
