Harold Wood Station, London

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Harold Wood Station is a key railway station located in the eastern section of the London Borough of Havering, forming part of the outer London transport network. Positioned within Travelcard Zone 6, it lies roughly 15.5 miles (25 kilometres) from Charing Cross by road, serving as an important commuter hub connecting residents of Harold Wood and its surrounding areas with central London and destinations further afield.

History and Origins

Harold Wood Station opened on 1 December 1868 as part of the Great Eastern Railway’s expansion eastward from the City. It retained the same name from its inception, taking it from the nearby locality of Harold Wood, which itself was named after King Harold Godwinson of the 11th century. The area was largely rural until the arrival of the railway, which spurred its suburban development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Station Building and Layout

The station building retains a largely traditional appearance, with red-brick architecture and a pitched roof. A modern ticket office and electronic gates have been installed, providing step-free access via lifts to all platforms. The main entrance is on Station Road, with a footbridge connecting the two platforms across the tracks. Recent upgrades under the Crossrail programme included platform extensions and accessibility enhancements to support the increased passenger flow of the Elizabeth Line.

Rail Services at Harold Wood

While Harold Wood is not served by the London Underground network, it plays an essential role in London’s wider transport ecosystem. It is classified as one of the London Underground Stations due to its inclusion in integrated fare systems, even though it is served solely by National Rail services.

Today, Harold Wood is served exclusively by the Elizabeth Line, providing direct, frequent services westbound to Reading and Heathrow Airport and eastbound to Shenfield. It does not have direct access to other London Underground lines such as the Bakerloo Line, Central Line, or District Line, but passengers can easily interchange at major hubs like Stratford or Liverpool Street.

Preceding and Following Stations on the Elizabeth Line

• Westbound: The preceding station is Brentwood; the following station is Gidea Park.
• Eastbound: Harold Wood is one stop before the eastern terminus at Shenfield.

Travelcard Zone and Ticket Prices

Harold Wood is in Travelcard Zone 6. As of 2025, the adult fare rates for the following destinations are as follows:

To Reading Station (westbound terminus)

• Single paper ticket: £24.30
• Oyster/contactless: £18.50 (peak), £13.90 (off-peak)
• Estimated journey time: approx. 1 hour 25 minutes

To Shenfield Station (eastbound terminus)

• Single paper ticket: £4.10
• Oyster/contactless: £2.60 (peak), £2.00 (off-peak)
• Estimated journey time: approx. 4 minutes

To Charing Cross Station (via Elizabeth Line and Underground)

• Interchanges required: Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road, then transfer to Northern Line southbound
• Single paper ticket: £6.70
• Oyster/contactless: £4.10 (peak), £3.20 (off-peak)
• Estimated journey time: approx. 50 minutes

Fun Fact

One quirky local legend claims that the area of Harold Wood may have been part of the ancient hunting forests of King Harold before the Norman conquest—though no direct evidence exists, the association adds a layer of intrigue to the station’s name and character. Today, the surrounding Harold Wood Park and Pages Wood offer a pleasant green retreat within walking distance of the station.

Quick Facts

Harold Wood Station is on the Map of London Underground

Painting of Harold Wood Station, London (View image in full size)

Page Details

This page was created on 30 May 2025.

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