Berkeley Park Apartments By Bridgestreet

Not so much a place, more an airport........

by leics

Heathrow is not really a place at all...it is a vast and busy international airport, with 5 terminals.

There are a few tiny 'villages' encompassed within the realms of Heathrow....Longford, for example......but it's not somewhere one would wish to visit unless one was flying in or out.

But the good thing about Heathrow is that when you are taking off, and when you are landing, you actually pass over/near central London. Sif you are lucky and the weather is fairly clear, you may get some really good aerial views of the river Thames and perhaps even be able to pick out landmarks.

I was lucky, so here are my photos (a snowy, freezing cold December morning). You can see the London Eye middle right of the main photo, with the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey across the river.

....and here's the classic Docklands river loop (as seen in the opening credits of UK soap 'Eastenders').

Can you spot the ill-fated Millennium Dome mid-right?

The huge green area in the middle-left of this photo is the area surrounding Buckingham Palace: you can see the palace itself, the Queen Victoria memorial at the end of The Mall.......St James' Park, Green Park and, of course, the palace gardens.

So don't forget to look out of the window when flying into or out of Heathrow....you may get an excellent view of the capital!

Heathrow

by uglyscot

"not just the airport"

I have stayed in the area around Heathrow with friends, have stayed at an airport hotel, and , of course, landed and taken off at the terminals of Heathrow airport.
Before the terrorist threat, it was quite enjoyable spending time at the airport as there is so much to do. It is possible to buy things, have drinks and eat, chat to other passengers or just watch planes arriving and departing.
Nowadays with strict security these pleasures have been diminished, though the airport is still a hive of activity.

It is always advisable to get up to date information when departing at or arriving from Heathrow, as the situation changes frequently.
Always leave plenty time to reach the airport as unexpected road works or traffic congestion can cause long delays. Terminal 3 can have long queues at emigration and some gates need considerable time to reach.

Regulations regarding hand luggage vary and some airlines are much stricter than others. Excess baggage charges are high, so don't spend all your UK currency in case you are caught with having to pay extra.

Heathrow - Grey depressing ***hole.

by biggeorge

"Heathrow"

Heathrow Airport is the most depressing place on earth , the baggage handlers take forever ,there's never anywhere to sit and it's always so full of passed out people whose flights have been delayed that it looks like the aftermath of a gas attack.. Then you get outside and your hit by walls of concrete in every direction , plus it always seems to be raining. It's never exactly a triumphant homecoming for the conquering heroes.

Back again at Heathrow

by metalmartin

"Big annoying airport"

Sure u can fly almost anywhere from Heathrow but is it worth the hassle...

I travel with a high end Dv cam and have always travelled with the extra camera bag and last trip i was only allowed one bag trough security, sure I understand the security issues after 9 /11 and the London bombings but i if works from Hong Kong, Copehagen, Amsterdam, Brisbane why not at Heathrow, esp. since other (business) travellers seem to lug around vast amount of carry on (and no im still under 10 kg carry on)?

What with the deal with the lack of baggage wagon in the transfers zones, sure it s supposed to be no real weight in them but Heathrow is huge..

Lets not forget the fun with changing terminals and non working conveyer belts........

I had the joy of having changed gates twice at one flight

but coffee is good and magazine shops exellent :)