Harrow School

Harrow School stands on Harrow on the Hill in the London Borough of Harrow. It occupies a ridge of land rising above the surrounding streets, with views across north-west London. The oldest parts of the school date from the early 17th century, while many buildings were added in the 19th century. The campus includes Grade I and Grade II listed structures alongside playing fields and a private golf course. A medieval parkland core survives within the grounds, shaped by Capability Brown and Henry Holland. The school’s founder, John Lyon, left money for two roads to London, later reassigned to local education. The school is worth the journey for its long list of distinguished former pupils. Seven British prime ministers attended Harrow, including Robert Peel and Winston Churchill. The roll also includes Jawaharlal Nehru, three Nobel laureates and twenty Victoria Cross holders. The Public Schools Act of 1868 named Harrow among the seven schools selected for reform. Its uniform tradition, with straw boater hats and top hats for monitors, remains distinctive. The school’s colour, Harrovian Blue, influenced Oxford University’s racing colours after the 1829 boat race. A visitor finds an ordered campus of boarding houses, each with its own customs. The Speech Room, chapel and Vaughan Library are notable buildings by William Burges and George Gilbert Scott. The Old Schools, completed in 1615, still forms the heart of the school. Sunday dress includes tailcoats and waistcoats, while weekday wear features dark blue jackets and straw hats. The parkland offers walking paths and distant city views, linking modern facilities with centuries-old traditions.