Heathrow Airport is the UK’s largest and one of the busiest in the world. With four separate passenger terminals, it dominates the surrounding landscape and services London’s capital city as its closest connection for international flights and destinations. Thanks to the addition of the Elizabeth Line to the London Underground, travel between Heathrow and the furthest reaches of the city has never been easier, with journeys now possible from the city centre in under 40 minutes.
With such impressive transport links to the city and the area surrounding the airport, this has opened up more possibilities for last-minute sightseeing and excursions for travellers pre-flight, who previously would have been confined to one of Heathrow’s terminals. Whilst the option remains to travel back into the city, the area around Heathrow has plenty to experience before jetting off, and can all be reached in far less time than making the trip back into London.
Windsor
The royal town of Windsor has a strong connection with the monarchy of the United Kingdom that goes back centuries. Built around Windsor Castle, an imposing fortification constructed shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, the town was a favoured residence of Queen Elizabeth II, who is now one of the many monarchs buried in the castle's St. George’s Chapel. Frequently open to the public (apart from when the reigning monarch is in residence), visitors can take a guided tour through the history and gain access to one of the country's most important historical sites.
The town of Windsor is a pretty riverside community that boasts antique book shops, charming tearooms and pubs and is also home to the prestigious Eton College. Travellers can enjoy visiting the college's grounds, and admiring the beautiful parkland surrounding the town by embarking on “The Long Walk”, to Frogmore Cottage. Located just half an hour from Heathrow, Windsor is ideal for exploring during a long layover or as one last stop before an evening flight.
Legoland
The iconic building blocks come to life at the ultimate family-friendly day out. Suitable for all ages, Legoland has 12 themed zones which include rollercoasters and log flumes, as well as interactive play areas and, (of course) hundreds of individual Lego displays. One of the most popular attractions is the Lego driving school, offering children the chance to take their first ever “lesson”, behind the wheel of a working automatic Lego car.
Away from the rides, the park has three resorts with accommodation and dining service areas, as well as a large Lego store for avid collectors to pick up some of the latest and most popular sets. Only 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport, Legoland is a fantastic last-day activity for families catching a late afternoon or evening flight. Leave the luggage at the airport and commit to a fun day out at one of Europe’s most popular amusement parks.
Cliveden House & Gardens
The National Trust maintains public access to some wonderful stately homes, castles and other historically significant sites around the UK, but close to Heathrow, one of its most fantastic properties to visit is Cliveden House. Built in 1666, this fabulous estate has been the centre of political intrigue, scandal, and revelry for Britain’s political elite for nearly 400 years. Today, its grounds are open to the public whilst the house functions as one of the nation’s most fantastic countryside hotels.
Visitors can enjoy strolls through the splendid gardens before taking part in the hallowed British tradition of afternoon tea, served in the magnificent dining room. Those with more time to spare can choose to book in for a relaxing spa session, making the most of its fantastic wellness facilities or, for those looking for more active ways to spend the day, engaging in a spot of clay pigeon shooting and falconry in the magnificent grounds.
Virginia Water
At the southern edge of Great Windsor Park, the beautiful streams and ponds of Virginia Water surround one of Heathrow’s most beloved attractions: a man-made lake constructed in the 18th century by the Duke of Cumberland. After ending the threat of the Jacobite Rebellion at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the Duke was granted the land as a prize for his victory and used his troops from the battle to build the lake. The waterfall feature known as “The Cascade” was built after severe flooding wrecked the lake and prompted a major renovation. This new development also had gardens added in, which are now all Grade 1 listed sites on the historic parks register.
The lake has been a popular filming location throughout the last century, with the Harry Potter franchise filming scenes from several films at the lake, as well as Disney’s hit musical Into The Woods. Virginia Water’s tranquil woodland, many ponds, streams and accompanying gardens and obelisks, are a welcome haven for those looking for a quiet place to wander away from the noisy runways of Heathrow Airport.
Hampton Court Palace
Originally built as a residence for Cardinal Wolsey, a prominent advisor to none other than King Henry VIII, Hampton Court boasts stunning gardens, an array of beautiful rooms, and a fascinating history for visitors to immerse themselves in. Receiving the palace as a gift, the King became so enamoured with it that he spent more time there than many of his other estates combined, enlarging Hampton Court to accommodate his ever-growing army of courtiers and retainers.
Notable features of the palace include the Royal Tennis Court and the King’s private apartments. The grounds are immaculate, with a small maze existing in one section as well as an incredibly large grapevine known as “The Great Vine”, the largest singular vine in the world and more than 250 years old. The gardens boast many impressive flower beds, as well as the signature cone-shaped trees and “The King’s Beasts”, a collection of gargoyle-esque statues that represent the heritage of Henry VIII, and have been updated over the centuries to accommodate subsequent monarchs.
