the barra hall building was originally a manor house, formerly known as grove house. in the late eighteenth century it was home to alderman harvey combe, elected lord mayor of london in 1799. it passed ownership and in 1871 was bought by robert reid. reid was an auctioneer and surveyor and claimed to descend from the reids of barra. after enlarging and refacing the building he changed its name to barra hall in 1875. army cavalry were stationed here during world war i. on 6 october 2005, a renovated barra hall was opened as a sure start children's centre.