Harlow

Harlow is a town in Essex, England, about 20 miles northeast of central London. It lies near the River Stort in the county’s northeast and forms part of the East of England region. It was designated as a new town in 1947 to house London overspill and to create a planned urban community.

The new town was designed in the late 1940s and 1950s under the New Towns programme. Architect Sir Frederick Gibberd prepared the master plan, which integrated a central town centre with green spaces, residential estates and light industry. Its historic core is the medieval parish of Old Harlow, separate from the postwar development.

Harlow is a non-metropolitan district governed by Harlow District Council within Essex County. It is part of the Harlow parliamentary constituency.

Economy and layout: The town combines retail, business parks and light industry, with a focus in the town centre around The Harvey Centre and surrounding leisure facilities. The economy has diversified toward services and technology-related enterprises since the late 20th century.

Transport: Harlow is served by two railway stations, Harlow Town and Harlow Mill, on the West Anglia Main Line, with frequent services to London Liverpool Street and Cambridge. The town is near the M11 motorway and accessible by the A414 and A1184 roads, linking to Stansted Airport.

Culture and education: Notable sites include the Harlow Playhouse theatre and the Gibberd Garden, designed by the town’s planners. Public parks and waterways are part of the landscape. Education is provided by primary and secondary schools and Harlow College, a major further education institution.