Harlow: A short walk passing the edge of Harlow Common

Difficulty Easy Access

Walking time 19 minutes

Length 1.0km / 0.6mi

Route developer: Geoff Sharman

Route checker: Joan Miller

Start location Osler House Medical Centre

Route Summary A short walk passing the edge of Harlow Common

*move mouse over graph to see points on route

Getting there

Buses 19, 20, 21 and 55 stop near the Surgery.

Description

[1] Leave Osler House Health Centre turning left then immediately left to walk along Potter Street with Osler House on the left and the Baptist Chapel across the road on the right.

Note the old milestone set into brick wall, on the left, outside Jack Stevens Close

[2] Just before reaching the White Horse public house, turn left to walk along a footpath with a house on the left and the pub on the right. Pass between some metal railings onto the paved footpath.

[3] When the path merges with a road keep straight ahead, with garages on the left and houses on the right, to reach another paved footpath and continue along this path until reaching an open grassy area and children's playground on the right.

Here there is an opportunity to explore part of Harlow Common

[4] Turn left and follow the footpath, crossing a road and walking straight ahead to pass through a grass area where several footpaths cross. Continue straight ahead until reaching a junction with a road.

[5] Turn left and walk along red Lion Lane until reaching the Red Lion public house at the end.

[6] Turn left into Potter Street and go past the shops to return to Osler House.

Be aware of animals grazing on Harlow Common.

POI information

A. Potter Street Baptist Church

This Baptist Church began in 1662, when, because of religious persecution, a group of Christians met in secret in Parndon Woods, Harlow. When freedom of religion was granted, Baptists could meet openly, and a plot of land was acquired here in Potter Street. Following the death of William Woodward the congregation spread its ministry and became two Baptist churches. Harlow Baptist Church is based in Fore Street, Old Harlow and Potter Street.

Buildings. The current chapel was built in 1756. The chapel is one of the oldest meeting houses of its type and was extended backwards a few years later. The rear extension housed schoolrooms on two floors. There was a wide gallery round three sides of the chapel. In 1905 the organ was installed.

http://www.psbc.co.uk/history.html

B. Old milestone set into brick wall outside Jack Stevens Close

C. Children's playground

D. Harlow Common

The area is bounded to the north by the Harlow urban area; to the south by the Harlow District border; to the west by the A414 and to the east by Harlow build up area. M11 is adjacent to the area to the southeast corner. Adjacent to the area to the south there is Harlow Park. The whole area is Registered Common Land and a County Wildlife Site. The land is mainly used for grazing and as public open space. The Stort Valley Way crosses the area. Within the area to the east there is a farm (Hoggs Farm). www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/.../113-annex-1-area-profiles?...harlow-common

Notes No details available.

Acknowledgements No details available.