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City guide

Harlow, UK

Harlow is a town and local government district located in the west of Essex, England. Harlow was a small town until the mid-20th century.

Type City

Why go

  • Town and non-metropolitan district in Essex, England.
  • Served by Dysons Osiers Airstrip.

History

Harlow is a town and local government district located in the west of Essex, England. Harlow was a small town until the mid-20th century. In 1947 it was designated as a new town. Housing estates, industrial areas and a new town centre were subsequently developed, lying mostly to the west and south of the old town, which became known as Old Harlow.

Restaurants & places to go

Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu 17:00-23:00; We-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr 12:00-01:00; Sa 12:00-01:30; Su 12:00-21:00 · 8 West Street, Ware, SG12 9EE · enotecazero.com
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00 Features: takeaway · storelocator.asda.com
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 75 Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1BH · mcdonalds.com
Indoor
Steak, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 · High Road, Epping, CM16 5HW · millerandcarter.co.uk
Indoor
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 Features: takeaway · 5 College Road, Waltham Cross, EN8 9LP · papajohns.co.uk
Indoor
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-18:00; Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00 Features: takeaway · 74 High Street, Ware, SG12 9AT · restaurants.subway.com
Indoor
Spanish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Sa 12:00-15:00,18:00-21:30 · 64 High Street, Ware, SG12 9DA · casalua.co.uk
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 13 High Road, Turnford, Broxbourne, EN10 6AJ · cuminbar.co.uk
Indoor
Asian, Japanese, Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu 17:30-22:30, We-Su 11:30-15:00,17:30-22:30 Features: delivery · 73 High Street, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12… · khunnai.uk
Indoor
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 11:30-14:30,18:00-22:00 · 1 West Street, Ware, SG12 9EE · onethai.com
Indoor
Mexican, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-15:00,17:00-23:00; Su 12:00-18:00 · 102 High Street, Ware, SG12 9AP · themex.uk
Indoor
Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:00; Sa 13:00-23:00; Su 13:00-19:00 · 42-44 West Street, Ware, SG12 9EE · thevillagetaverna.co.uk
Indoor
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00 · 90-92 High Street, Ware, SG12 9AP · wokulikewarechinese.co.uk
Indoor
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 55 Eleanor Cross Road, Waltham Cross, EN8 7LD · kfc.co.uk
Indoor
American, Restaurant · American restaurant · 275 High Road, Epping, CM16 6EE · harvester.co.uk
Indoor
Kebab, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 12:00-21:30,Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00,Su 13:00-21:30 · 375 Ware Road, SG13 7PE · haileybestkebabhouse.co.uk
Indoor
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-21:00 · 10 High Street, Ware, SG12 8AB · seawaysfishbar.co.uk
Indoor
Cafe, Turkish, Kebab, Cafe · Cafe/Turkish cafe · 113 Rye Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 0JP · anatoliankitchen.co.uk
Indoor
Bistro, Cafe · Bistro cafe · 72 High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8HB · artysansz.com
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant · Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 3QF · chefandbrewer.com
Indoor
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Mediterranean restaurant · 76 High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8ET · mysarestaurant.co.uk
Indoor
Caribbean, Restaurant · Caribbean restaurant · 38D Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 0RH · jerkjoint.london
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Su-Th 09:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-11:00 · Harlow, CM19 5EJ · roydonmarinavillage.co.uk
Indoor
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant · Waltham Cross, EN8 7AN · fishydelishy.com
Indoor
Ghanaian, Restaurant · Ghanaian restaurant · Waltham Cross, EN8 7BU · rhapsodiz.co.uk
Indoor
Pie, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 9 Fawkon Walk, Hoddesdon, EN11 8TJ
Indoor
Fast Food · fast food · 95 Rye Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 0JL · peraperi.co.uk
Indoor
Bagel, Fast Food · Bagel fast food
Indoor
Fish, Restaurant · Fish restaurant · Fyfield Road, Ongar, CM5 0AL
Indoor
Pie And Mash, Restaurant · Pie And Mash restaurant · 7-8 Market Square, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1DP
Indoor
Dessert, Fast Food · Dessert fast food · 132A High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8HL
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu 17:00-22:30; We-Th 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:30; Fr-Su 12:00-23:00 · 46-47 Church Street, Ware, SG12 9EW · sfizio-restaurant.com
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:30-17:30; Su 08:30-16:30 Features: takeaway · 87 High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8TL · caffenero.com
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, step-free access · 75 Harvey Centre (First Floor), Harlow, CM20 1XS · locations.burgerking.co.uk
Indoor
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 15:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00 Features: delivery · 29 High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8TA · pizzahut.co.uk
Indoor
Sandwich, Bakery, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, vegan options · greggs.co.uk
Indoor
Indian, Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th, Su 16:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 16:30-22:30 Features: takeaway · Tylers Road, Harlow, CM19 5LJ · jaalindian.com
Indoor
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: PH 17:00-23:00; Tu-Th 12:00-15:00,18:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-15:00,17:30-23:00; Su 13:00-15:30,17:30-22:00 · 34 High Street,… · 34salathaiware.com
Indoor
Greek, Restaurant · Greek restaurant
Indoor
Chinese, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 5 Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 0PE · goldendragon-herts.co.uk
Indoor
Chicken, Ribs, Fast Food · Chicken/Ribs fast food · 3 High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8UB · favorite.co.uk
Indoor
American, Barbecue, Restaurant · American/Barbecue restaurant · 23-24 Conduit Lane, Hoddesdon, EN11 8FN · smokeshed.co.uk
Indoor
Kebab, Fast Food · Kebab fast food · 20 St Peter's Avenue, Ongar, CM5 0BT · ongarkebabpizza.co.uk
Indoor
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 60 High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8ET · thecaptainsfishandchips.co.uk
Indoor
Turkish, Restaurant · Turkish restaurant · 259 High Street, Waltham Cross, EN8 7BE · dasfirinonline.co.uk
Indoor

146 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

London Stansted Airport (STN) 9.6 mi to the centre
London, Essex, ENG, GB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 10 airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, Transavia France, Germanwings…) · direct flights to 153 destinations incl. Palma de Mallorca, Arrecife, Ibiza, Tenerife, Dalaman… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves London (31 mi) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 10 airlines, 153 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
London Luton Airport (LTN) 22 mi to the centre
Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LY — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 8 airlines (easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Monarch Airlines…) · direct flights to 85 destinations incl. Arrecife, Faro, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Sharm El Sheikh… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves London (28 mi) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 8 airlines, 85 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
London City Airport (LCY) 18 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 12 airlines (British Airways, Air France, CityJet, Iberia Airlines…) · direct flights to 35 destinations incl. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Florence, Frankfurt, Zurich… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 12 airlines, 35 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
North Weald Airfield 3.9 mi to the centre
Epping, Essex, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Hunsdon Airfield 3.2 mi to the centre
Ware, Hertfordshire, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit Lippitts Hill 8.9 mi to the centre
Loughton, Essex, ENG, GB
Outdoor

Where to stay

The St, Sheering, Bishop's Stortford CM22 7LT, United Kingdom · thecockinnsheering.co.uk
Indoor
The Green, Matching Tye, Harlow CM17 0QS, United Kingdom · thefoxinn.com
Indoor
Potters Arms, Harlow CM17 9TD, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
Mulberry Grn, Old Harlow, Harlow CM17 0ET, United Kingdom · chefandbrewer.com
Indoor
Roydon Marina Village, Roydon Mill, Roydon, Harlow CM19 5EJ, United Kingdom · roydonmarinavillage.co.uk
Indoor
Essex, Crown Gate, Harlow CM20 1NB, United Kingdom · ihg.com
Indoor
High Wych, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0JU, United Kingdom · manorofgroves.com
Indoor
Cambridge Rd, Harlow CM20 2EP, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
Southern Way, Harlow CM18 7BA, United Kingdom · all.accor.com
Indoor
Edinburgh Gate, Harlow CM20 2JE, United Kingdom · travelodge.co.uk
Indoor
Redricks Lakes, Redricks Ln, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0RL, United Kingdom · pitchup.com
Indoor
2 Hart Rd, Harlow CM17 0HL, United Kingdom · theoasishotel.com
Indoor
2c Ladywell Prospect, Sawbridgeworth CM21 9PT, United Kingdom
Indoor
218 High St, Roydon, Harlow CM19 5EQ, United Kingdom
Indoor
9 Red Lion Ln, Potter Street, Harlow CM17 9BP, United Kingdom
Indoor
Thornwood, Epping CM16 6LX, United Kingdom · elmcroftepping.co.uk
Indoor
Pitten House, 17 Sheering Rd, Harlow CM17 0JL, United Kingdom · pageshotelandguesthouse.com
Indoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Dysons Osiers Airstrip; 3 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Harlow, UK. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
Broker, marketplace · Operator network worldwide · Online charter marketplace, part of Directional Aviation; instant quotes.
Marketplace · Operator network · Transparent on-demand jet charter marketplace showing the operator and tail.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.