What to do in London near Heathrow Airport

I know people who, even if they have a day or two in a city, don’t try to see anything in that particular place as they think staying near an airport implies being way to far from anything worthy of a visit. But that is not always the case, and today I decided to present you some places to visit and things to do in London near Heathrow airport, especially for those moments when you stay in a London Heathrow hotel for a short while.

OK, I have to admit that the wide variety is also due to the transportation structure available in London – a pretty good one, if I may say so. But enough said, let’s see what’s in the area to visit and do.

Shopping
Perhaps not surprising at all, you can do a lot of shopping – if you have the budget for that. There are many shops located in the commercial area of the airport – so yes, you don’t have to go too far for that. But you can always go into the city for more shopping opportunities. You could choose to take the bus to the city and go to a mall or a commercial gallery.

Take a ride in the London Eye
When it was erected, London Eye was the highest ferris in the world. Now there are two higher ones, but the London Eye hasn’t lost its special charm. The view over the city is splendid, therefore it is no surprise that this ferris is one of the city’s landmarks.

Photo by obyvatel on sxc.hu

Visit Kew Gardens
Accessible by bus, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was founded in 1759. In 2003, these gardens were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you like plants and want to just walk around in some beautiful gardens, then Kew is the place to go. Make sure you check the official website to find out the schedule, especially during winter time.

See the Windsor Castle
Another beautiful building in London, and an icon of the city, Windsor Castle is a must see if you are in the area. It is also easily accessible from the airport area. covering about 5 hectares, the Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen.

Moreover, the area offers many other beautiful venues along the year – including during Christmas time.

Photo by ColinBroug on sxc.hu

See the animals at the London Zoo
If you like animals and going to the zoo, then you shouldn’t miss the London Zoo. Home to 755 species (with over 16,800 individuals), this is the world’s oldest scientific zoo. During winter, you can meet Santa at the Zoo 😉 – but various activities take place all year long. Just make sure you check the website to see the program.

There are many other beautiful places, but I’ll leave you with these five recommendations for things to do or places to see in or near the Heathrow Airport.

As I mentioned earlier, due to the great network of public transportation, you can easily go to the center of the city – or to almost any important tourist site. Of course, you can always choose to go off the beaten path and just take a bus or the tube to a station and then start walking, meet and interact with people. It’s up to you – but one thing is clear: you shouldn’t stay in your hotel room all the time.