Old Harlow
Old Harlow maps (2 available)
Map of Essex
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Old Harlow books (13 available)
Old Harlow memories
Read and share memories of Old Harlow and Essex inspired by Frith photos
Be the first to add a memory of Old Harlow.
You can also read memories of nearby places in Essex below.
Essex memories
Cool, clear water!
What a lovely surprise for us youngsters from Northbrooks - a beautiful new place to swim! No big scary fish or slimy weedy things to twist around you in those early days. My adventurous brothers even rode their bikes over the iced-up water one winter ... until one went under and had to be rescued by the rest! Happy days!
A memory of Harlow contributed by K Black
Washing Cars
I used to wash cars in the big car park on the right of the photograph, and charged 5 shillings a car. Mind you, the worst day there was when some clown of a driver went and drove over my bike, and that was that.
A memory of Harlow contributed by Barrie Brooks
Where I learned to Swim
Is the pool still there? I bet it isn't ... I'd like a pound note (sorry, Coin!) for the Ttmes I went here swimming and generally fooling around. I also learned to dive from the top board too, and my faves were the bombs (jumping in and curling up a certain way to make a bloody great SPLASH) - and also getting banned many times for doing it!
Barrie Brooks
A memory of Harlow contributed by Barrie Brooks
Fishing and Swimming
I remember going down to the River Stort with my brother Steve and mates like Tommy Hughes to fish and swim - wow, when I saw this photo it was like it was yesterday. I wish I could go back to happier times...
Barrie Brooks
A memory of Harlow contributed by Barrie Brooks
Extracts From Old Harlow & Essex books
The River Stort, with the Town Park along its banks, has become a beautiful and popular venue for the people of Harlow, Old and New.
An extract from from"Harlow Town and City Memories".
Families with small children could always come to one of the many paddling pools in the area. The pool setting is designed so that a whole day could be spent there, with grassy banks for having a picnic and open spaces in which to run about.
An extract from from"Harlow Town and City Memories".
Harlow swimming pool is in the Town Park. The site is quite near the part of the River Stort that had been used for swimming lessons and galas by local schools for at least one hundred years.
An extract from from"Harlow Town and City Memories".
The greater part of the land needed for Harlow New Town was owned by Godfrey Arkwright, and he sold it to the Development Corporation in 1953. His home, Parndon Hall, was demolished to make way for The Princess Alexandra Hospital.
An extract from from"Harlow Town and City Memories".
This aerial view of the Town Centre shows the wide roads threading through the landscape wedges. St Paul’s Church was designed to contrast with the building styles of the large buildings around it.
An extract from from"Harlow Town and City Memories".