Outside Bombay Central on the High Road, Wealdstone, Harrow, HA3 6HS
The Weald Stone
Tiny historic site
Place photograph
5.3
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Check
Cost
Quirky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.3A sarsen stone of unknown age gave its name to Wealdstone. It may have been carried here by people—or left by a glacier—and its original purpose remains uncertain.
A modest but genuinely unusual urban-history stop: one distinctive stone connects the name of a London district to its landscape, while leaving its own origin unresolved. Best treated as a short detour rather than a day out.
Quirky
Find your way
Open mapOutside Bombay Central on the High Road, Wealdstone, Harrow, HA3 6HS
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
A quick look at a locally significant sarsen stone and a chance to consider how a single landmark can shape a place-name. The supplied evidence does not support a longer itinerary centred on the stone.
Things to do
See the stone that named Wealdstone
The sarsen stone stands outside Bombay Central on the High Road. Londonist reports that the district, nearby buildings and a former pub took names from the stone.
A short stop; exact visit duration is not established.
Consider the stone’s uncertain origin
The stone is identified as sarsen, the same type of rock used at Stonehenge and Avebury. It may have been brought here by people or deposited by a glacier; neither explanation is confirmed.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A quick look at the Weald Stone
- 01
Find the stone outside Bombay Central on the High Road.
- 02
Look closely at its shape and reddish-brown surface.
- 03
Read the competing possibilities about its origin as theories, not settled history.
Verified history
The stone is sarsen, and its age and purpose are unknown. Londonist reports that the name “Weald” comes from an Old English word meaning wooded hill or high land, and that the nearby rising ground to the north remains wooded. The stone stands outside Bombay Central, formerly the Red Lion; the pub was also known at other times as The Weald Stone and The Sarsen Stone. The article says nearby farm and house names, and later the village name, were associated with the stone. It also reports that Harrow station was renamed Harrow and Wealdstone in 1897.
Folklore & legend
Local theories reported by Londonist suggest the stone may mark an ancient boundary or a chieftain’s burial place. The boundary claim is unverified, and the article says there is no evidence for the burial-place theory. Neither should be presented as fact.
Hidden details
A possible glacial visitor — Londonist notes that the sarsen may have been deposited here by a glacier. The stone’s presence since ancient times is possible, but not established.
The former pub names — The building now identified as Bombay Central was formerly the Red Lion and, at other times, was known as The Weald Stone and The Sarsen Stone.
When to go
· No preferred time is established by the supplied evidence.
The stone is a year-round roadside feature; no seasonal changes or seasonal access information are documented in the supplied source.
Check conditions before visiting. No weather-specific advice is established by the supplied evidence.
What to look for
- 01
Notice the long, reddish-brown sarsen stone set beside the pavement. Its age and original purpose are unknown
- 02
a boundary-marker explanation is reported as a possibility, not a verified fact.
The story
Archaeology, Folklore & legend
Best time to go
Any time of year; no seasonal attraction is established by the supplied evidence.
No particular time of day is supported by the supplied sources. Check local conditions before making a special trip.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Solo · Couples · History lovers · Walkers
Before you go
Practical information
Opening & access
The stone is reported to stand on the pavement outside Bombay Central. It is a brief roadside sight, not a destination with visitor facilities; take care around traffic and pedestrians.
Parking
Check before visiting; no parking information verified.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
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Food & drink
Bombay Central is identified as the restaurant outside which the stone stands; current opening and service details are unverified.
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source places the stone on a pavement, but step-free access and pavement conditions have not been verified.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around The Weald Stone
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
