Which is older, Eton or Harrow? Eton and Harrow are two of the country's most iconic independent schools for boys, so it is no surprise that they are often pitted against each other, whether in academics or sports. Eton was founded in 1440, by Henry VI – making it the older of the two schools.
Away from bustling South Harrow, with all of its great eateries and cafes, sits Harrow on the Hill, a calm and leafy affluent part of town with a villagey feel, where you'll find the renowned Harrow School. Harrow as a whole is teeming with period properties and is one of the capital's more affluent areas.
Today, the historic area is distinguished as Harrow on the Hill and is a conservation area with listed buildings of Georgian architecture and home to Harrow School, one of the seven major boys' boarding schools in England as defined by the Public Schools Act 1868.
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Why is Harrow called Harrow?
The name Harrow derives from the name given to the heathen temple, or 'hergae Gumeninga' the top of the hill. It was also noted as being named Harrow Atte Hille as recorded as early as 1398. The name Harrow on the Hill also denotes the parish in which St Mary's church lies.
Way back in time, Harrow was a sleepy hamlet with just a handful of houses on the hill. Its name comes from Old English 'hearg' which means heathen temple, which was probably on Harrow Hill where St. Mary's Church stands today.
London has the largest population and greatest proportion (15%) of Muslims in the country. The vast majority of British Muslims in the United Kingdom adhere to Sunni Islam, while smaller numbers are associated with Shia Islam.
Famed for its world-leading public school which has educated seven prime ministers since its foundation in 1572, Harrow can also proudly claim 30 'outstanding' state schools. This is a true haven for families seeking a clean, safe, and green environment to live in.
Harrow School divides its pupils, who are all boarders, into twelve Houses, each of about seventy boys, with a thirteenth house, Gayton, used as an overflow. Each House has its own facilities, customs and traditions, and each competes in sporting events against the others.
Rayners Lane and Roxbourne wards have the highest rate for vehicle crimes at 14 per 1,000 population and are both located in the south-west of the borough. The LSOA with the highest rate however is in Greenhill, within Harrow Town Centre, at 26.3 per 1,000 population.
Nestled in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Knightsbridge is London's most expensive neighbourhood with an average home price of £3.3 million. Some exclusive properties can reach a staggering £25 million.
The Fourth Form Room is the spiritual heart of Harrow School. The original Classroom dates back to 1615 and is where Harrow School first opened it's doors. The Wingardium Leviosa wand class scene from Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone was filmed in this ancient room packed with history.
Famous Old Harrovians include statesmen such as Sir Robert Peel, Lord Palmerston, Sir Winston Churchill, first prime minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and King Hussein of Jordan; writers including Lord Byron, Richard Sheridan, Anthony Trollope and Richard Curtis; Henry Fox Talbot, the inventor of photography; the ...
Harrow was founded in 1572 under a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I by local landowning farmer, John Lyon. It soon became one of the greatest schools in the country, attracting pupils from all over the world. This distinguished history enriches the daily life of our entire community.
At the LSOA level Harrow's most deprived area is located in Stanmore Park, an area covering three council estates - Cottesmore, Woodlands and Woodlands Drive.
Annual crime rate in Harrow postcode area is 28.7 crimes per 1000 people. Compared to the national crime rate, Harrow's rate is at 82% as of July 2025. Violent crime makes up 24.8% of all crimes reported in the postcode area.
What is the School fee? The School's fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £21,245 per term (inclusive of VAT) and includes board, tuition, textbooks, a stationery allowance and laundry.
The area with the roughest reputation in London is Westminster, recording the highest crime rate of 432 crimes per 1,000 people in the year ending December 2024—though this is likely skewed by massive daytime footfall from tourists, which inflates the crime-per-resident ratio.
Let's take a walk through London's most prestigious neighbourhood's. When it comes to luxury, Knightsbridge is unmatched. Home to Harrods, Hyde Park and some of the city's most elegant residences, this area is a magnet for international billionaires, celebrities and royals alike.
The four boroughs with the highest levels of child poverty are all in Inner and East London - Hackney, Islington, Tower Hamlets and Newham. In these boroughs, more than 40% of children are in poverty.
