A 58-metre-long medieval barn, historic village buildings and open parkland give Harmondsworth its varied character. Visitors choosing the area for a stay can weigh up its architectural history, places of remembrance and paths through a landscape of meadows, water and woodland.
Architectural History in Harmondsworth
Harmondsworth Barn was built between 1425 and 1427. It is built almost entirely of oak, with its walls resting on a low stone base. Its 58-metre length gives the building a distinct scale, while the timber and stone base bring together two different materials. This makes the barn a particularly tangible point of interest for anyone interested in historic building techniques.
A different period is represented by Harmondsworth Hall on Summerhouse Lane. The listed building dates from the early 18th century and is Grade II listed. Together with the older barn, it reveals the broad span of the area's surviving architectural history, although the two buildings need not share the same character.
Village Life and Places of Remembrance
St Mary's Church lies at the heart of the historic village and is Grade II* listed. Harmondsworth Village is designated a Conservation Area and includes 19 listed buildings. The village war memorial stands beside Harmondsworth Village Green, next to St Mary's Church. A green space in Harmondsworth is dedicated to villagers who fought and died in the First World War.
Individual stories also connect the village with its surroundings and past. In front of the church, a large chest tomb beneath two yew trees marks the resting place of Richard Cox. He was a retired brewer and horticulturalist from nearby Colnbrook, and the first to grow the Cox's Orange Pippin apple variety. Market gardening is also part of local history: in the early 20th century, strawberries were an important crop in the area around Harmondsworth. These details offer a glimpse of different aspects of village life—from remembrance and architectural history to horticulture and apple growing.
Sun House adds to the picture of the area's historic homes: it is considered the oldest house in Harmondsworth and was built in the 16th century. Harmondsworth Hall, from the early 18th century, and Sun House, from the 16th century, represent different building periods; the barn dates back even further, to the Middle Ages. Anyone interested in the area's history can therefore find several points of reference across time, rather than just one historic building.
Paths and Open Parkland
The open parkland at Harmondsworth Moor includes meadows, rivers, lakes and ponds. Winding paths run through the open landscape and newly planted woodland. Car parks for Harmondsworth Moor are at the southern end of the park and can be reached via Tarmac Lane and Accommodation Lane. Check local regulations before travelling.
A named route offers another point of reference for planning: the West Drayton walk is 3.7 miles long and passes through open, green spaces, including The Closes, Harmondsworth Moor and Saxon Lake. The route and the parkland offer different points of focus: one has a specified distance, while the other centres on landscape features and winding paths. Check the route details before setting out, as they may be updated.
This makes it possible to choose Harmondsworth based on your own interests: the barn and historic buildings suit a focus on architectural and village history, while the moorland park and named walking route offer a way to explore the landscape. These are distinct themes to consider when planning your trip. The places, building dates and route details given here provide concrete points of reference to help you decide which side of Harmondsworth you want to focus on during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Harefield, West Drayton, Northwood, Harlington, Ickenham, Ruislip, Uxbridge
Return to the main travel overview: Hillingdon.
