Harlow Town Park
Harlow Town Park
4.5
About
Harlow Town Park was opened in 1957 and consists of covers 164 acres and includes Water, Newfoundland, Specimen, Sensory and Walled Gardens, the Stort Valley Meadows and Peace Wood, paddling pool, bandstand, Skate Park, Outdoor gym, Adventure playground, plus Pets' Corner and Spurriers House, built in the 1860's. The Town Park recently secured a Green Flag, the national award for Parks in the UK
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
68 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
22
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Maggie B
Lincoln, UK65 contributions
Jul 2020
We went yesterday (15th July 2020). The car park (£1.10 for 5 hours), toilets, cafe (for takeaway food and drink) and outside animal area were open. The adventure playground, pets corner and paddling pool were closed. There were plenty of picnic tables and benches available. The park is massive with lots of different garden areas to enjoy and plenty of space to play in. The staff were helpful and friendly. We had a brilliant time.
Written July 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Greg
Cambridge, UK5,209 contributions
May 2020 • Solo
Spent an hour soaking up some lovely weather and walking through Harlow Town Park. There are lots of verdant, open spaces with benches and walkways. Lots of people appeared to be enjoying the weather too, having picnics or just taking a stroll.
During this current pandemic, parking is free of charge but usually operates on a pay-and-display basis.
During this current pandemic, parking is free of charge but usually operates on a pay-and-display basis.
Written May 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AlinaRC
Hertfordshire1,476 contributions
Oct 2022
Large and well maintained town park in Harlow. It was designed by two of the 20th centuries top designers - Sylvia Crowe and Frederick Gibberd. The central feature is the watergardens. This consists of three pools connected by cascades. Around this are areas of lawn and woodland. There are some distinct planted areas including a grove of cherry trees and a Newfoundland themed garden. It is a short walk from the town centre and adjacent to Harlow Town train station. There are two spots to get refreshments - Spurriers House cafe and the Greyhound pub.
Written October 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BecciT
Cradley, UK86 contributions
Jun 2020 • Solo
I was not sure what to expect from this place. I didn’t really expect much for a park in the middle of a built up area but I was pleasantly surprised. The water garden was really pretty and I got to take some beautiful pictures. I read that the pets corner was closed which I was sad about but the I went behind the cafe and realised you could still see lots of the animals which was great - so shocked that there was no charge to see them. If I go to Harlow again I will definitely be back.
Written June 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
angela
9 contributions
Jan 2023
I walk to and around Harlow Town park several times a week. It is a vast space with so many different attractive areas to suit all tastes. The public toilets are open from early morning, pets corner has a really eclectic selection of animals. I love seeing the reindeer and llamas when I walk past as well as the more usual animals. We are so lucky to have an area like this to visit in the town.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daltry
Wiltshire, UK141 contributions
Aug 2022
We had some time to kill on a visit to Essex and decided to check out this park as we had our 8 year old grandson with us. He loved the swing park and the Pets Corner, which also had another smaller park for him to play in. We enjoyed the park itself, which had lots of really big old trees and good walks. The park is really well kept and we easily spent a couple of hours there and could have stayed longer. I would love to return to check out more sculptures.
Written September 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Madalyn H
Huddersfield, UK1,850 contributions
Jun 2022
We called as we know that this post war park had received heritage listing and is a good example of its type. Interesting plantings and water feature, together with a modern bandstand. Well used and relatively well cared for, (though the water feature would benefit from some attention).
Written June 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leah
Braintree, UK46 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Little stream kids enjoy playing in or catching tiny fish in. Pretty walk. Ice cream shop available. Free parking on roads nearby. Would recommend spending 1-2 hours here. Nearby to Pets Corner which kids also love. Overall just a nice place to go for a walk or afternoon.
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brian T
London, UK6,749 contributions
May 2021
I visited this beautiful town park as a part of a wider visit to Harlow in Essex. It was planned in the early 1950s as a part of the new town development of Harlow. The first phase opened in 1957 and later extensions took place between 1961 and 1971, with a refurbishment between 2015 and 2017.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by the picturesque and serene aspects of the park; it’s a mix of formal park and natural setting, with many mature trees It’s nicely manicured and cared for, and presents a variety of park features for you to stroll through, explore, and enjoy. It’s certainly worth a visit if you are in the area.
It’s a large urban space, with a variety of scenic landscapes, key open spaces, and themed areas. There’s a number of gardens linked by a network of paths; these include a contemporary walled garden, a water garden with a curious swan-like sculpture in the pond, a specimen garden, and a number of wooded areas which include a Peace Wood and Cherry Orchard. There’s also some wildflower meadow areas where a variety of wildflowers flourish during the spring and summer; walking paths are mown through the meadow grasslands to allow you to enjoy the wildflowers at close range.
The park has a number of attractions for the youngsters. There’s Pets’ Corner which offers visitors the opportunity to view a variety of animals at close range, an adventure playground, a skate park, and a seasonal paddling pool. Pets’ Corner contains a reasonable selection of traditional farm animals such as chickens, ducks, horses and pigs, as well as more exotic animals such as reindeer, llamas and alpacas. I did not visit Pets’ Corner (a timed entry system was in operation; nor am I particularly enthralled with animals in enclosures), so I cannot comment on the welfare of the animals. There were sheep in the ‘show ground’ area of the park so some animals could be seen in a more natural setting if
A focal point of there park is Spurriers House, a detached, brick-built villa erected around 1868 for William Cox (1817-1889), a former solicitor and MP for Finsbury, London. It stands at the northern side of the park, and serves as the park’s cafe. At the time of my visit it was only offering a take-away service. In the low valley to the east of Spurrier's Cafe is a contemporary styled bandstand, erected in 1973. There are also adequate toilet facilities in the park.
It’s a large space so you will need a decent amount of time to visit and to enjoy its various features. Paths are well made, and most are suitable for those requiring mobility assistance. Some are a bit on the steep side. Harlow Town rail station is a short walk away.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by the picturesque and serene aspects of the park; it’s a mix of formal park and natural setting, with many mature trees It’s nicely manicured and cared for, and presents a variety of park features for you to stroll through, explore, and enjoy. It’s certainly worth a visit if you are in the area.
It’s a large urban space, with a variety of scenic landscapes, key open spaces, and themed areas. There’s a number of gardens linked by a network of paths; these include a contemporary walled garden, a water garden with a curious swan-like sculpture in the pond, a specimen garden, and a number of wooded areas which include a Peace Wood and Cherry Orchard. There’s also some wildflower meadow areas where a variety of wildflowers flourish during the spring and summer; walking paths are mown through the meadow grasslands to allow you to enjoy the wildflowers at close range.
The park has a number of attractions for the youngsters. There’s Pets’ Corner which offers visitors the opportunity to view a variety of animals at close range, an adventure playground, a skate park, and a seasonal paddling pool. Pets’ Corner contains a reasonable selection of traditional farm animals such as chickens, ducks, horses and pigs, as well as more exotic animals such as reindeer, llamas and alpacas. I did not visit Pets’ Corner (a timed entry system was in operation; nor am I particularly enthralled with animals in enclosures), so I cannot comment on the welfare of the animals. There were sheep in the ‘show ground’ area of the park so some animals could be seen in a more natural setting if
A focal point of there park is Spurriers House, a detached, brick-built villa erected around 1868 for William Cox (1817-1889), a former solicitor and MP for Finsbury, London. It stands at the northern side of the park, and serves as the park’s cafe. At the time of my visit it was only offering a take-away service. In the low valley to the east of Spurrier's Cafe is a contemporary styled bandstand, erected in 1973. There are also adequate toilet facilities in the park.
It’s a large space so you will need a decent amount of time to visit and to enjoy its various features. Paths are well made, and most are suitable for those requiring mobility assistance. Some are a bit on the steep side. Harlow Town rail station is a short walk away.
Written May 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aivars K
Riga, Latvia53 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
After very active day , on the way back to railway station, we found very nice park ! Being first time in Harlow Town it was big surprise because we always connected in our minds nice english parks with old english towns and cities! But Harlow was built after war ! Thanks for local municipalities and local prople - we spend whole late afternoon in this wonderfull park - silence, birds songs, massive trees - everything for relax ! Plus railway strike helps us - train came very late and we have plenty of time .
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Are bbq's allowed in the Park?
levettmik
Brentwood, UK7 contributions
Thank you for your query. BBQs are not allowed in the Town Park
BOTTHoddesdon
HERTS2 contributions
dogs welcome. on leads? and what about in the animal area, are dogs allowed there? and my husband uses a mobility scooter and plan to park in the car park off 1st avenue, is that best?
levettmik
Brentwood, UK7 contributions
We welcome all well trained dogs to the park. Dogs are not allowed in Pets Corner. The best place for parking at the Town Park would be off Fifth Avenue (Showground car park) which has a lot of spaces and if you follow the paths this should lead you to Pets Corner, café and the rest of the Park. We hope to improve signage from this car park early next year. Hope that helps. Regards
Mike Levett Education & Volunteer officer at the Town Park
Paula N
3 contributions
Hi are there toilets close to the splash park please
Eric_the_Bish
Plymouth, UK796 contributions
Sainsbury's - on Fifth Avenue. It's just outside the south-west corner of the park.
Harlow Town Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Harlow Town Park
- Hotels near Harlow Town Park:
- (0.28 mi) Travelodge Harlow Hotel
- (0.35 mi) Harlow International Hostel
- (2.05 mi) That Amazing Place
- (0.65 mi) Holiday Inn Express Harlow
- (5.07 mi) The PitStop Boutique Hotel
- Restaurants near Harlow Town Park:
- (0.01 mi) The Greyhound Harlow
- (0.14 mi) Spurriers House Cafe
- (0.41 mi) Moorhen Pub & Grill
- (0.25 mi) Toby Carvery Harlow
- (0.25 mi) Pizza Gogo