Guidance

Northwood Headquarters

Updated 25 October 2023

A military headquarters in north-west London. The Base has been used by the British Armed Forces since 1939. It was home to the RAF Coastal Command during World War 1 but is now the UK’s principal military HQ site and home to 5 Operational HQs. These are Strategic Command HQ, Standing Joint Force HQ, Permanent Joint Headquarters, the Commander Allied Maritime Command (one of NATO’s 3 major Commanders) and the Royal Navy’s Maritime Operations Centre.

The site itself was almost completely rebuilt between 2006 to 11, resulting in a purpose-built HQ site for 2,000 personnel.

HMS WILDFIRE is a reserve unit of the Royal Navy and is based at Northwood Headquarters. It has been operating for over 50 years with reservists from Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

Visitor information

Security

The Northwood Headquarters site has a strict Control of Entry (CoE) policy, which all personnel including visitors and contractors are to adhere to. The Commanding Officer is responsible for access control for the site; this responsibility is delegated to the Base Security Officer (BSyO), who exercises this control through the MOD Guard Service (MGS) and the Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS) personnel on duty.

Passes

To enter the establishment, all personnel must be in possession of a valid pass. Passes must be arranged by the sponsor of your visit or posting to Northwood HQ.

Use of vehicles

All vehicles entering the establishment must have a valid pass. Service personnel and MOD employees can obtain a pass from the Pass Office in building 450B.

Visitors must sign for a temporary vehicle pass from the Visitors’ Centre. The relevant vehicle pass must be displayed at all times whilst in the base but must not be visible when outside the site.

Restrictions on the number of vehicles allowed to park inside the site are imposed because of the shortage of parking spaces.

Random searches

At any time whilst entering, leaving or on the establishment you may be required to allow the MGS to search your baggage or vehicle. If you have any objection to this request, you should ask for the BSyO or the Duty Officer of the day.

Photography

The taking of unauthorized photographs is strictly prohibited within the confines of the site.

How to find us

Directions to assist in arranging your journey to the Northwood HQ whether by train, bus, coach, air, bike or car.

By Bus

The nearest bus stops are no more than 200 yards outside the main entrance of Northwood HQ on Sandy Lane.

These bus stops are on the Arriva Route 508 that links Hemel Hempstead via Watford, South Oxhey and Northwood. The Route operates at approximately 30 minute intervals.

For the full route information please refer to the Arriva website.

By Underground

Northwood Underground Station is on the Watford section of the Metropolitan Line. Trains between Aldgate, King’s Cross, Baker Street and Northwood run 4 times an hour and more frequently during peak times.

There is a shuttle bus service available to/from Moor Park Station, one stop further west from Northwood. Moor Park is served by faster trains from central London. Telephone the Northwood HQ Helpdesk on ext 57000 for details regarding the use and timing of the Moor Park Shuttle.

First trains into London leave Northwood at approximately 5:50am (7:30am Sundays); last trains to Northwood leave Baker Street at approx 11:59pm (11:45pm Sundays).

For further information including live service updates and a journey planner, visit the Transport for London (TfL) website.

For Underground enquiries telephone: 020 7222 1234.

By Rail

Carpenders Park, the nearest National Rail (London Overground) station to Northwood (1 mile approx), is on the Euston to Watford line. With trains every 20 minutes, journeys take approximately 35 minutes.

Bushey National Rail (London Overground) station (3 miles), is also on the Euston to Watford line. With fast trains every 30 minutes, journeys take 15 to 20 minutes.

Watford Junction, the nearest mainline National Rail station (4.5 miles) is on the London and North Western Line. With trains every 15 minutes, journeys take 20 minutes.

Further information including a journey planner, ticket purchasing and service updates can be found on the National Rail website.

For all National Rail enquiries telephone: 03457 48 49 50.

By Car

From M25: Junction 16. Exit onto M40 East signposted London(W). Take first exit A412/A413. At bottom of slip road (traffic light controlled) turn left and at mini roundabout take first exit (effectively straight on).

Take right hand lane when approaching traffic lights (less than 1/4 mile). Turn right onto A412 signposted Denham and Watford. After 1/2 mile and just after passing under railway bridge turn right into Moorfield Road (signposted Harefield). Follow over canal to mini roundabout at T-junction.

Turn left towards Harefield (Harvil Road). Follow to crossroads in centre of Harefield. Turn right (Breakspear Road signposted Northwood). After 200 yards turn left into Northwood road (signposted Northwood). Follow for two miles to T-junction. Turn right and shortly first left signposted Northwood Headquarters (white sign with red surround). Follow Batchworth Lane for some two miles until it ends at a T-junction.

Turn right and Northwood Headquarters are approximately 400 yards on the right. From M1: Southbound exit J5 (M1), off ramp, Traffic light with roundabout. 3rd exit towards Watford/Bushey, or similarly Northwood from London, but 2nd exit.

Approx half mile roundabout (with single lane bypass (keep in left lane), either bypass or straight across. Approx half-mile roundabout, keep left and take filter left before roundabout. Quarter mile roundabout straight across (large supermarket on right). Traffic lights at T-junction. Keep in left lane (All traffic turns left) Turn left with traffic and stay in left lane (Road forks). Traffic lights at fork, stay left (straight on, single lane). Once road goes back to 2 lanes (Approx 100 Meters), move to right lane. Roundabout: Follow around to the right and take 2nd exit (You will see signs (White with red border) for Northwood HQ). You are now on the road direct to the HQ. 2 Sets of lights then approx 2 miles. The HQ Complex is at the crest of a long hill on the right hand side of the road.

By Air

Heathrow Airport is approximately 35 minutes’ drive from Northwood.

For flight enquiries:

• Heathrow airport: 0844 335 1801
• Gatwick airport: 0344 892 0322
• Luton airport: 01582 405100
• Stanstead airport: 0808 169 7031

Facilities

Medical and Dental

The Medical and Dental Centre at Northwood Headquarters’ contact numbers, opening times, catchment area and other services available.

The Medical Centre

The Medical Centre is manned Monday to Friday during normal working hours. Out of hours cover is provided by the NHS 111 service.

Telephone Numbers:

For enquiries, appointments contact the Duty Medic: Ext 57180 Pharmacy: Ext 57198 Dental Dept: Ext 57194

Opening times

Day	Times
Monday	8:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesday	8:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday	8:00am to 1:30pm
Thursday	8:00am to 5:00pm
Friday	8:00am to 3:00pm

Catchment area

Medical care is available to all service personnel based at Northwood. The families and dependants of service personnel should register with a local NHS GP.

Other services available

• pre-conceptual, ante and post-natal care
• Well Woman Clinic: family planning, cervical screening, HRT advice
• child development assessment/immunisations
• travel/vaccination clinic
• on-site pharmacy
• physiotherapy
• health visitor
• dietician
• community psychiatric nurse
• minor surgery/wart clinic
• health promotion programmes: advice on stress, weight, smoking, alcohol

Dental department

Dental treatment is provided for service personnel only, who should register on joining and leaving the establishment. All personnel should have an annual dental examination where advice on treatment and the prevention of dental disease will be given. The dental hygienist can only provide treatment on the prescription of a dental officer. Families must register with a NHS dentist. A list of these is held in the Medical Centre.

Dental Centre routines

Monday to Thursday:

• pain cases: 8:30am to 9:00am
• routine appointments: 9:00am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:00pm

Friday:

• pain cases: 8:30am to 9:00am and 1:30pm to 4:00pm
• routine appointments: 9:00am to 12:30pm

For advice and routine appointments telephone ext 57194

Emergency treatment may be obtained by contacting the Dental Department as soon as any problem arises; out of working hours contact the Medical Centre who will contact the duty dentist. The dental officers take part in a duty roster with other service establishments therefore you may be asked to visit another Dental Centre for emergency treatment. When on leave, the nearest service establishment should be contacted for advice and treatment.

Community Support Information

Day nursery

Northwood Nursery is situated on site at Northwood Headquarters. You can contact the nursery on telephone: 01923 957028.

The Welfare Information and Community Support Office

The Welfare Information and Community Support Office provides an important and valuable information service, within the context of the overall welfare provision for the armed forces, their dependents and the wider whole force community at Northwood. The office is located at the centre of the community hub, along with the chaplaincy team and the welfare team. The office can be found in building 450b, next to the hairdresser.

The office provides support and information on a wide range of subjects from housing, education, facilities on and off the base, local events, activities and much more. Details of community events and welfare support information are also available from this office.

Pinnacle and Vivo Housing Clinics

Pinnacle and Vivo run bi-monthly clinics in the church foyer/church area. The clinic from 1000 -1130 held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month is for the occupants of Service Families Accommodation to speak directly with the housing contractors to resolve any on-going issues or difficulties.

Outside of this time occupants can contact the Pinnacle National Service Centre on 0800 031 8628 or by visiting www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk or by email: hello@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk

PAL Protect 

On the second Monday of each month there is a PAL Protect Insurance Clinic held in the Welfare Information & Community Support Office from 1000-1300 hrs.  No appointment is required, and the representative will provide information about the product, cover and claims support available.

AWS Community Activities

Army Welfare Service facilitate a pre-school children’s group in the Community Space on Monday mornings between 1000 -1200 during term time.  There are quality toys for babies and toddlers and craft and musical activities. All are Northwood family passholders are welcome. 

A pre-school children’s group is held every Tuesday morning between 1000-1200 at the Stanmore Community Centre, HA7 3SW.  An after-school club is planned for January 2024.  For details please contact the Welfare Information & Community Support Office.

Welfare Support at Northwood Headquarters

Northwood Headquarters has a dedicated Unit Welfare Officer and a Deputy Unit Welfare Officer. The team are located alongside the Welfare Information and Community Support Office.

Royal Navy Family and People Support (RN FPS) provides two full-time welfare workers based at Northwood Headquarters. The primary role of the RN FPS is to help RN Service personnel and their families cope with crisis and domestic difficulties by making available specialist help. The RN FPS aims to provide high quality, non-discriminatory services in a timely and non-discriminatory manner.

For Royal Navy and Royal Marines to access this service call the RN FPS Portal on 0800 145 6088. After 8pm a recorded message will advise what to do in the case of an emergency.

Army: Army Welfare Service: 01904 882053 

RAF: SSAFA: 03000 111723

If circumstances should arise whilst the serving person is on deployment, a posting or at sea which make it necessary to request their return home on compassionate grounds; a death in the family, serious illness or a serious family crisis you may need to contact: Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre Telephone: 01452 519951.

This is a 24 hour number and is manned weekends and Bank Holidays.

Headquarters Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy to Northwood HQ is provided the HQ Pastoral Chaplain. There is also a staff chaplain in PJHQ J1 for operational chaplaincy issues and has oversight of all chaplains deployed on PJHQ led operations. St. Christopher’s Church is located adjacent to the Cafe and Shop and is open during office hours, 9:00am to 5:00pm, offering a quiet and reflective space in the busy headquarters. It is also available for services, meetings, presentations and social occasions. To book please contact Chaplain’s PA.

Contact details

• HQ Pastoral Chaplain: 01923 957821 (military extension 57821)
• Chaplain’s PA: 01923 957872 (military extension 57872)

Contact details for Northwood site

To write to someone or a team at Northwood please use the following address

Name and workplace or appropriate mess
Northwood Headquarters
Sandy Lane
Northwood
Middlesex
HA6 3HP

To contact the Helpdesk telephone: 01923 957000