IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Headstone Lane, HARROW, HA2 6JT

Headstone Manor is a Grade I listed building on a moated site now entirely surrounded by Headstone Recreation Ground. This view was taken across the moat bridge. Although the external facade is not remarkable, at the core of the building is part of an early 14th-century timber framed house, the only surviving example of a medieval aisled hall in Middlesex. The London Borough of Harrow owns the building, and repair and refurbishment works are in progress as the security fencing bears witness. The fabric of the structure has been analysed, and dendrochronology has revealed that the hall range and surviving cross wing were built c 1320.

The land on which Headstone Manor stands was part of the complete manor of Harrow, owned by Wulfred, Archbishop of Canterbury in 825 AD. The house was originally completed in about 1345 and used as the Archbishops' main residence in Middlesex. Headstone Manor and its farm remained in the ownership of the church until the Reformation. It was sold by Henry VIII in 1547 to Lord Edward North and remained in private hands for four centuries. Over time, Headstone Manor fell into a state of disrepair, and much of its surrounding land was sold off. In 1925 Hendon Rural District Council bought the site. It then passed into the control of the London Borough of Harrow after local government reorganisation. Headstone Manor is the earliest surviving timber-framed building in Middlesex. The moat is contemporary in date to the earliest part of the building (about 1310) and is the only complete water-filled Medieval moat in Greater London. The brick facade was added in the 1770s, giving Headstone Manor the appearance it has today. With Heritage Lottery Funding, plans are in hand to restore the house and open it as a permanent museum in March 2017, telling the story of Harrow and of Headstone Manor. The moat is the source of the western branch of the Yeading Brook which then flows through Headstone Manor Recreation Ground - see http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4967231

Headstone Manor Park is on the left

"Built in around 1310, Headstone Manor is the earliest surviving timber framed house in Middlesex. The fabric of this Grade 1 listed building contains work dating from the 14th, 17th and 18th centuries. Headstone Manor has been described as‘one of the most interesting domestic complexes in the whole country’. The Manor House now contains the museum at Headstone Manor, telling the history of Harrow through the house and the people who have lived there over its fascinating history." https://headstonemanor.org/visit-the-museum/the-buildings/

The land on which Headstone Manor stands was part of the complete manor of Harrow, owned by Wulfred, Archbishop of Canterbury in 825 AD. The house was originally completed in about 1345 and used as the Archbishops' main residence in Middlesex. Headstone Manor and its farm remained in the ownership of the church until the Reformation. It was sold by Henry VIII in 1547 to Lord Edward North and remained in private hands for four centuries. Over time, Headstone Manor fell into a state of disrepair, and much of its surrounding land was sold off. In 1925 Hendon Rural District Council bought the site. It then passed into the control of the London Borough of Harrow after local government reorganisation. Headstone Manor is the earliest surviving timber-framed building in Middlesex. The moat is contemporary in date to the earliest part of the building (about 1310) and is the only complete water-filled Medieval moat in Greater London. The brick facade was added in the 1770s, giving Headstone Manor the appearance it has today. With Heritage Lottery Funding, plans are in hand to restore the house and open it as a permanent museum in March 2017, telling the story of Harrow and of Headstone Manor.

This barn, part of Headstone Manor, was converted to the local museum around 20 years ago and this was the opening of a new exhibition running for the first half of 2013 showing old and new photos and general archives going back for hundreds of years. One of my photos of Harrow on the Hill from a distance was used on their poster so invited as one of the contributors. Everything is in one room, this is the shop and canteen area with the exhibition beyond, the stage is behind me. http://www.harrow.gov.uk/museum

The land on which Headstone Manor stands was part of the complete manor of Harrow, owned by Wulfred, Archbishop of Canterbury in 825 AD. The house was originally completed in about 1345 and used as the Archbishops' main residence in Middlesex. Headstone Manor and its farm remained in the ownership of the church until the Reformation. It was sold by Henry VIII in 1547 to Lord Edward North and remained in private hands for four centuries. Over time, Headstone Manor fell into a state of disrepair, and much of its surrounding land was sold off. In 1925 Hendon Rural District Council bought the site. It then passed into the control of the London Borough of Harrow after local government reorganisation. Headstone Manor is the earliest surviving timber-framed building in Middlesex. The moat is contemporary in date to the earliest part of the building (about 1310) and is the only complete water-filled Medieval moat in Greater London. The brick facade was added in the 1770s, giving Headstone Manor the appearance it has today. With Heritage Lottery Funding, plans are in hand to restore the house and open it as a permanent museum in March 2017, telling the story of Harrow and of Headstone Manor. The Great Barn (on the right here) was constructed in 1506. Formerly known as the Tithe Barn, it would have mainly been used by the tenant farmer to store grains and to stable horses. The cathedral like structure is 149 feet long, 50 feet wide and over 30 feet high. The framework is made entirely of English oak. The Great Barn is Grade II* Listed. The Small Barn (to the left) was originally two buildings standing end to end. It is likely to have housed livestock. The main structure of the Small Barn dates from 1550. Excavation has shown that the foundations of the Small Barn date back to the 14th century, making it contemporary with the first phases of the building of the house and the moat. In the mid 1970s the Small Barn was almost destroyed by fire. The building was restored and reopened in 1996 housing an exhibition about the site. It is being brought back into use as a visitor centre and as a cafe.

This was the barn at Headstone Manor, which was converted into a local museum by Harrow Council around 20 years ago and is now open free to the public. This is where they carry out the regular music and drama performances. http://www.harrow.gov.uk/museum