Harlow Town Park - Image 1

Harlow Town Park

Harlow, United Kingdom•4.6(3.4k)•City Park, Playground

Explore over 160 acres of award-winning green space featuring adventure playgrounds, unique gardens, Pets' Corner, paddling pool and regular family events.

Harlow Town Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, spanning over 160 acres of beautifully designed green space. Created by renowned designer Dame Sylvia Crowe, the park is a Grade II listed site that has won the Green Flag Award for seven consecutive years, recognising it as one of the highest quality green spaces in the UK. The park offers extensive attractions for families of all ages, including adventure and inclusive play areas, an outdoor gym, paddling pool, skate park, and Pets' Corner where visitors can interact with animals. Nature lovers will appreciate the five unique gardens: the Water Garden with cascading ponds and kingfishers, the Sensory Garden designed for all abilities, the Forest Garden and Miyawaki Forest showcasing sustainable planting, the Specimen Garden, Newfoundland Garden, and the Walled Garden with its nature trail and bee demonstration area. Throughout the year, Harlow Town Park hosts a variety of family events including bonfire and fireworks nights, fairs, circuses, and bandstand concerts. The park also features regular activities such as guided walks, social strolls, and weekly parkrun events for adults and juniors. With its combination of play facilities, natural attractions, educational gardens, and community events, the park appeals to both local residents and visitors seeking outdoor recreation and family activities.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 00:00 – 23:59
Tuesday: 00:00 – 23:59
Wednesday: 00:00 – 23:59
Thursday: 00:00 – 23:59
Friday: 00:00 – 23:59
Saturday: 00:00 – 23:59
Sunday: 00:00 – 23:59

Venue Details

Venue Type

Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

Recommended ages

0 months (newborn)+

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

Spurriers House Café

Café located within Harlow Town Park

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Google Reviews

4.6(3.4k reviews)
A
A Keegan

A Keegan

2 months ago

Was a really lovely park :) easily spent 2 hrs here (free parking in the school lane car park) and could have stayed longer. We just went to the bit with the pets corner; there's a lovely little wooden throne & stalls when you first enter the park, and a little stream by the path. Good signage to the loos, and there were quite a few animals in the outside enclosures. Play area next to the toilet block/pet corner entrance & everything is free to access including the other pet corner bit with more animals including meerkats and chickens (this bit didn't open until 11am, but we could access the outdoor paddocks before 11). The kids loved it - especially because there was an ice cream truck too! (There's also a cafe & lots more parts of the gardens we didn't have time to explore).

M
Md Abdullah Al Adnan

Md Abdullah Al Adnan

3 months ago

One of the largest urban parks in the country, Harlow Town Park is a Grade II listed green space that covers 164 acres of stunning landscape. Designed by the celebrated landscape architect Dame Sylvia Crowe in the 1950s, the park was an innovative part of the "New Town" movement, created to bring nature and fresh air to residents moving away from post-war London. Today, it remains a premier destination where mid-century design meets modern family adventure. The park is famous for its unique series of five themed gardens, most notably the Water Garden, where natural springs feed three cascading ponds filled with ducks, fish, and the occasional kingfisher. For animal lovers, the legendary Pets’ Corner—open since 1966—is a must-visit, housing everything from traditional farm breeds like Oxford Sandy and Black pigs to exotic llamas and reindeer. Whether you are exploring the Newfoundland Garden (a tribute to Harlow’s twin city), watching a performance at the 1970s bandstand, or walking through the wildflower marshes, the park provides a rich, multi-layered experience that feels both historic and full of life. Tips for your visit: • Pets’ Corner: This community favorite is free to enter! You can buy special animal feed from vending machines for just 20p to get a close-up encounter with the friendly residents. • The Water Garden: Look for the "Pisces" sculpture by Jesse Watkins at the heart of the cascading ponds; it’s a perfect spot for quiet reflection and wildlife photography. • Spurriers House Café: Located in a restored Victorian villa, this café is the ideal place to grab a coffee or a light lunch after a long walk through the meadows. • Active Fun: The park features a state-of-the-art skate park, an adventure playground, and an outdoor gym, ensuring there’s plenty of energy for visitors of all ages. Harlow Town Park is a sophisticated and sprawling landscape that captures the optimistic spirit of post-war design while offering a lush, natural escape for today’s explorers. 🌳🦙⛲

M
Ms Chhetri

Ms Chhetri

5 months ago

Harlow Town Park – Perfect family day out Harlow Town Park is a fantastic place for families and one of our favourite parks to visit. The park is spacious, clean, and beautifully maintained with plenty of green areas for walking, relaxing, and children to play. There’s so much to do in one visit — from peaceful lakes and gardens to the adventure playground and Pets’ Corner, which makes it ideal for a full family day out. The wide paths are great for prams and little walkers, and there’s always plenty of space for kids to run around safely. A lovely park for fresh air, nature, and quality family time. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Harlow, especially with children.

T
tracey smith

tracey smith

5 months ago

Lovely little gem of a place defiantly worth a visit small but enough littles love it with mercats and chickens goats and small section of fish and amphibians The park is one of the bigger better parcs we've been to my 2.5 loved it so much

L
Lhea Marie Trinidad

Lhea Marie Trinidad

8 months ago

It's when you get to the age that you enjoy going to parks alone to get a bit of nature and peace and quiet. I love this park. It wasn't crowded when I went there. I took photos and videos while I was there. There was a nearby cafe if people want to get something to eat. Overall, it's a very nice park to visit.

Reviews last updated: 6 October 2026

Events at Harlow Town Park

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 6 October 2026

Frequently asked questions about Harlow Town Park

Is Harlow Town Park free to visit?

Entry to Harlow Town Park is completely free — there are no admission charges, making it a great no-cost option for a family day out.

What ages is Harlow Town Park suitable for?

Harlow Town Park is suitable for visitors of all ages, from babies through to adults.

Is Harlow Town Park dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome at Harlow Town Park.

Is there parking at Harlow Town Park?

Yes — Harlow Town Park has on-site parking, plus additional parking nearby.

Is there food at Harlow Town Park?

Yes — Spurriers House Café is on site at Harlow Town Park. Café located within Harlow Town Park

Is Harlow Town Park pushchair-friendly?

Yes, Harlow Town Park is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at Harlow Town Park?

Harlow Town Park is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to Harlow Town Park by public transport?

Harlow Town Park is well-served by public transport.
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