Harefield is famous for its local hospital, Harefield Hospital , where pioneering heart surgery techniques were developed.

Nearby is Mount Vernon Hospital , known for its plastic surgery and oncology departments amongst others.

The origins of the name Harefield are unclear, but probably means ‘open land used by an army (perhaps a Viking army)’ or 'field of the army or of the people'.

Early forms of the name include Herefelle in the Domesday book and Herefeld in 1206.