Best Sports Facilities in Harrow

• By Ellen O'Riordan on Apr 22, 2016

Best Sports Facilities in Harrow

Originally a borough of Middlesex, Harrow joined the capital’s vicinity in the mid-60s, so is now classed a part of Greater London.  Harrow is perhaps best known for the prestigious Harrow School, one of the most expensive boarding schools in the country with top of the range sporting facilities to match.  Amazingly you too can prance about on the immaculate Harrovian fields and splash in the 25 metre “Ducker”, following in the footsteps and swim strokes of Maro Itoje, Benedict Cumberbatch and the "Harrovian Hero" James Blunt.  If you don’t have a bottomless bank account, a county named after you and you lack the title of Baron or Baroness; don’t fret peasant, there are plenty of affordable sports facilities that won't deny your entry because you don't have a middle parting and waxed moustache.

Harrow Leisure Centre

Harrow Leisure Centre is run by Everyone Active and caters to a plethora of fitness desires.  There is a fully equipped gym with enough weights to challenge the Schwarzeneggers and enough cardio machines, powerplates and resistance machines to entertain any length of workout.  There is also a 33 metre pool and separate training pool which you can dip into.  Taking the centre to new heights, the 9m climbing wall with 1-metre overhang features 10 climbing lines.  Once you’ve finished your gym session, swim and climb you can relax in the sauna and steam rooms.  But don’t sit back for too long as there is a 15 court badminton arena, 6 squash courts, table tennis centre (6 tables), multi-activity rooms and fitness studios waiting for you.

Centenary Park Sports Club

Centenary Park Sports Club offers premium sports facilities at budget prices.  It houses a brand new five-a-side 3G football pitch in Harrow with impeccable markings and pristine goals.  It is used by a number of premiership football clubs as their regular training grounds and the club hosts regular five-a-side leagues. It costs just £5 per adult, £4 per student, £3 for under 18s and can be booked by phoning 0208 907 5544 or 07840 378343.  The 4 macadam tennis courts were refurbished in 2008 and can be hired for just £3 per adult and £2 for under 18s.  The courts are fluorescent pink and electric blue in colour, which may prove to be an added attraction or distraction to the less sporty player.  The club also houses a 9-hole golf course suitable for experienced players and those with a less confident swing.  The holes are Par 3, but their shorts length makes the course an excellent choice for beginners.  At just £6 for adults and £4 for under 18s, the course is easily accessible to the entire community.  

Canons Sports Centre

Canons Sports Centre can be found in the lushly green grounds of North London Collegiate School.  These school facilities for hire are managed by Canons Enterprise Ltd and can be hired out outside of school hours.  The multi-purpose sports hall has a semi-sprung floor and can house four badminton courts, two table tennis tables, basketball, six-a-side football, netball, volleyball and climbing.  Additionally, there is a 25-metre swimming pool, 11 outdoor tennis courts and 2 dance studios with fully sprung wooden floors.  To book any of the facilities phone 0208 905 6895 or 0208 951 5402.  Alternatively, you can become a sports member or swimming pool member, costing around £50 and £23 pounds per month respectively.  

Harrow School

If you want to go top of the range, Harrow School has a huge range of impeccable sports facilities.  They are some of the best school sports facilities in the country, so are in high demand and leased out sparingly.  There is a 3G rubber crumb pitch suitable for football or rugby training which can fit an eleven-a-side match or 2 seven-a-side games.  A full-sized sand based astro can be used for hockey, recreational football or tennis.  The sports hall can accommodate 4 badminton games, a full-sized basketball game or 4 mini matches.  There is also a climbing wall which can be hired by training professionals.  An 8-lane running track, hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put, javelin, discus and announcer’s hut make up the school’s athletics facilities, which must be hired as a whole for a minimum of 1 hour. The 25 metre swimming pool can be hired out for events and the cricket fields and facilities can be used during the summer months.

Email: sportsfacilitiesmgr@harrowschool.org.uk for bookings.