Harefield: Nature, Walks and Village History

When looking for hotels in Harefield, you can first consider whether walks, nature or history will shape your stay. The named routes, natural areas and historic sites offer specific points of interest and different seasonal and historical highlights.

Walks and Walking Routes

The Harefield Locks section of the Hillingdon Trail starts at Harefield Church and runs from there to Springwell Lock. It is five miles long and passes through Old Park Wood. The set route length gives you a specific reference point when planning walks into your trip.

The route also passes Jacobean almshouses, described as an interesting stop. In spring, bluebells, coralroot and goldilocks grow in large numbers between two sections of Old Park Wood. The season therefore adds its own consideration to route planning: these flowers bloom in spring, while the woodland shapes the course of the walk.

A 2026 event description for the guided walk “Led Walk: Harefield” mentions two to three different routes along the Grand Union Canal and past Black Jack's Lock. Check the event dates before planning this walk.

Village History and Monuments

The Church of St Mary in Harefield is a Grade I listed building. Harefield Village Green is in the Harefield Village Conservation Area. At its southeastern corner stands the Harefield War Memorial: a ten-metre-high obelisk commemorating the village residents who fell in the First World War.

The Australian War Memorial offers another perspective on the history of the First World War. It is the focal point of the military cemetery for Australian soldiers who died of their wounds as patients at Harefield Place Hospital. The entrance arch to Harefield Australian Military Cemetery is made of Portland stone and probably dates from around 1921. Together, these places give different historical connections a specific place in your itinerary.

Natural Areas and Their Features

Dews Farm Sandpits was once a mineral quarry and was later reclaimed by nature. The area's habitats include acidic grassland and young woodland. In summer, flowers and butterflies define the landscape. Dews Farm Sandpits is designated a Site of Borough Importance and lies within the Metropolitan Green Belt.

The entrance to the area is on Harvil Road in Harefield. The nature trail has some steps—a practical detail to bear in mind when planning your routes. The combination of its former use as a quarry and its habitats described today makes Dews Farm Sandpits a distinct nature-themed attraction alongside the woodland section of the Hillingdon Trail.

Broadwater Lake in Harefield is also designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its wildlife. The species and groups cited include waterbirds, otters, reptiles, amphibians and numerous insect species.

Plan Around Your Interests

For a walking-focused stay, the five-mile section of the Hillingdon Trail offers a clearly described route; the natural areas have different highlights, such as habitats or seasonal flowers and butterflies. Those with a particular interest in history can explore the listed church, the Village Green and the various war memorials.

The information dated April 2026 for The Sharks listed beginner sessions that required no prior experience; the necessary equipment was provided. As these operating details may change, check the latest information before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Uxbridge, Ruislip, Ickenham, Harmondsworth, Northwood, Harlington, West Drayton

Return to the main travel overview: Hillingdon.