West Harrow

 

Prior to the early 20th century West Harrow was overwhelmingly rural. The construction of the Uxbridge extension to the Metropolitan line in 1904, and specifically the new West Harrow tube station, triggered a steady growth of homes in the area, spreading out from the location of the new station. In his 1973 BBC TV film about London suburbia, Metroland, Sir John Betjeman stands in Vaughan Road and delivers a piece to camera about the development of the area in the 1900s. The remaining open pockets of West Harrow were filled with small council and retirement estates in the second half of the 20th century. The Metropolitan (Harrow and Uxbridge Railway) line passed through here between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Ruislip, with services beginning on 4 July 1904. West Harrow station opened on 17 November 1913.

 

The neighbourhood has strong musical connections: keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman grew up here and it is currently (2015) home to a number of jazz musicians including pianist Alex Webb (musician), and bass players Jeremy Brown and Miles Danso, part of the significant Harrow jazz community which also includes Courtney Pine and Gary Crosby. The station is one of the few underground stations without ticket barriers at one of the entrances, with passengers travelling towards Uxbridge able to access the platforms without passing a ticket barrier. The station has toilets, payphones and a waiting room.

 

Connections: Buses do not serve the station.

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