Harlow – Built for the Future, Proud of Its Past

For nearly 50 years, Forest Radio has proudly served communities across Essex, bringing together great music, local information and trusted health advice. We've been part of the county's community spirit, and today we're delighted to broadcast to listeners across Harlow and the surrounding area.

Whether you're tuning in for classic hits from the 1950s through to the 1990s, local news, community updates or health information, Harlow is one of the vibrant towns we're proud to call part of our home turf. 

A Brief History of Harlow

Although many people know Harlow as one of Britain's famous New Towns, its history stretches back thousands of years.

Archaeological discoveries show people were living in the area during the Stone Age, with evidence of Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements. During Roman Britain, Harlow was home to a small settlement complete with a temple and villa, highlighting its importance even nearly 2,000 years ago.

The medieval village of Old Harlow grew around St Mary's Church, with records appearing in the Domesday Book of 1086. In 1218, Harlow was granted a market charter, establishing it as an important local trading centre for centuries to come.

Everything changed after the Second World War. In 1947, Harlow became one of the UK's first designated New Towns, created to provide modern housing for London's growing population. Visionary architect Sir Frederick Gibberd designed the town with wide green spaces, neighbourhood shopping centres, cycleways and plentiful public art—many of which remain defining features today. 

Harlow Today

Modern Harlow is home to around 95,000 residents and continues to evolve.

The town has developed into an important centre for business, technology and healthcare, while maintaining its reputation for green open spaces. Harlow Town Park is one of the largest urban parks in the UK, offering over 160 acres of gardens, play areas, wildlife habitats and events throughout the year.

The town centre continues to see regeneration, with new homes, retail developments and investment helping to shape Harlow's future.

Art lovers are often surprised to discover that Harlow boasts one of the country's finest collections of outdoor sculptures, with works by internationally renowned artists displayed throughout the town. This open-air gallery perfectly reflects Sir Frederick Gibberd's original vision of bringing art into everyday life.

Why Community Radio Matters in Harlow

Community radio plays a unique role that national broadcasters simply can't match.

Forest Radio has been serving Essex communities since 1976, offering something genuinely different. Alongside the greatest music from the 1950s, to the 90s, we provide:

• Local community news, events and What’s On Guides
• Health and wellbeing information from trusted local partners
• Information that helps listeners stay connected with their community
• Friendly presenters who know and love the area they broadcast to.

Whether you're enjoying timeless classics from Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Motown, ABBA, Queen, Elton John or the biggest hits of the 1990s, you'll also hear the stories that matter locally.

Proudly Serving Essex

Forest Radio has always believed that radio is about more than music.

For almost five decades we've been committed to supporting communities across Essex, helping people stay informed while providing the soundtrack to everyday life. Our combination of classic hits from the 50s through to the 90s, trusted health information and community-focused programming continues to make us a valued companion for listeners across Harlow and beyond.

If you're looking for feel-good music, local stories and practical information that makes a difference, Forest Radio is proud to be part of Harlow's community.