Things to do at London Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR), also know as London Heathrow is a major international airport in London, England located 14 miles west of Central London. It is the seventh busiest airport in the world and is one of six international airports serving the Greater London area. In 2018 Heathrow saw 80.1 million passengers pass through its doors, a record number since the airport’s beginnings in 1946. 80 airlines fly from London Heathrow taking passengers to 180 destinations around the world.
Heathrow Airport has many amenities throughout its 5 terminals and there are strong transport links to Central London directly from the airport making Heathrow one of the best airports to fly through. Whether you are looking for a gym to workout, a spa to relax or a chance to soak up the London atmosphere, Heathrow has an option for you.
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Things to do at Heathrow
Swim at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre London Heathrow
The Park Inn by Radisson is less than 5 minutes from London Heathrow Airport. Take a dip in the pool and unwind in the sauna at this great hotel. An amazing option for anyone that wants to energize and refresh before hopping on a flight or before heading into the city for a meeting. Sanctifly members can use points to access the leisure facilities at the Hilton Garden Inn without needed to book a room.
Download the Sanctifly app to explore all the facilities available to Sanctifly members.
Work out at the Hilton Garden Inn
Looking for a gym at Heathrow? Make the most of your airport downtime with the a workout at the Hilton Garden Inn near Heathrow. Refuel after your gym session with a bite to eat at The Garden Grille in the hotel or take a brief stroll to the Hatton Cross Underground station and head into the city. The hotel is a five-minute Hoppa Bus ride from Heathrow Airport. Sanctifly members can use points to access the leisure facilities at the Hilton Garden Inn without needed to book a room.
Download the Sanctifly app to explore all the facilities available to Sanctifly members.
Relax at No 1 Lounge
If you want to stay in the airport, take some time away from the chaos and head to No1 Lounge in Terminal 3. The lounge is a great place to relax, grab a bite to eat or get some work done before take off. You can even visit the Travel Spa and get a massage, refresh with a shower or, if you have a longer layover at Heathrow you can book even book a bedroom and take a nap. Sanctifly members can use points to access the lounge however showers and private rooms are an additional charge.
Get a massage at BeRelax
Even if you only have an hour to spare before your flight, there is an option for you at Heathrow. Head to the BeRelax Spa in Terminal 5 and pamper yourself with a massage, a manicure or even a facial. Spending time at the airport doesn’t mean you have to be stressed out.
Free things to do at Heathrow
Meditate in the Prayer Rooms - Take some time to unwind and reflect by heading to any of the multi faith prayer rooms. There are several locations through out the airport in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, some located before security and some after. All are open to all faiths and encourage everyone to be quiet and respectful of each other. It is the perfect spot to get some peace and quiet and meditate while at the airport.
View some art - The T5 Gallery, located before security in Terminal 5 is one of the few permanent art galleries situated in an airport. Soak up some culture and broaden your mind as you wait fr your next flight out of Heathrow by taking a trip to the T5 Gallery. The space is open to the public from 7:45 am until 7:45 pm and is free of charge.
Left Luggage
Left luggage services at Heathrow are operated by The Excess Baggage Company. There are locations available in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Prices start from £7.50 per item but vary depending on how many items you wish to store and how long you will be leaving your bag. You can find a more detailed pricing list here. Luggage can be dropped off and picked up between 5 am and 10 pm. We recommend booking in advance to ensure your luggage has a spot.
Best eats
Quick bit - EAT
If you are looking for a quick bite that is healthy and nutritious (and has lots of great vegan options) head to EAT. There are two locations in Heathrow, one in Terminal 2 and one in Terminal 3, both located past security. EAT is open from 5 am until the last departing flight from either terminal.
Sit down meal - Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food
A haven for travelers in Terminal 5, Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food offers a unique dining experience. Diners can sit at the bar and watch as chefs prepare dishes right in front of them. The restaurant is open 7 days a week from 5 am to 9:30 pm. There are also grab and go items so you can enjoy your food on the plane.
If you have more than 6 hours on a layover at Heathrow, why not get out of the airport and enjoy the surrounding area.
Go for a walk at Bedfont Lakes Country Park - If you have a layover at Heathrow but don’t want to head into the city, we recommend taking a trip to Bedfont Lakes Park. Located close to Heathrow airport it is a great spot to get out in nature, breathe in some fresh air or go for a run. Although public transport can get you closer to the park you will still need to walk for about 20 minutes from the bus stop so we recommend grabbing a taxi from the Terminal. If you have the time and you would like to stretch your legs the park is approx. a 40 minute walk from Heathrow airport.
Head into Central London - Heathrow is located just 14 miles West of Central London and transport in and out of the city is plentiful and easy to navigate (see below for transport options). Use your Heathrow layover to soak up the atmosphere of one of Europe’s most vibrant, diverse and exciting cities. The city steeped in history and culture so no matter what your taste there is something to do in London.
Top tip for your layover - You don’t always have to leave the airport, do what you want to do. London is an amazing city and, if you have never been, a layover can seem like a great opportunity to experience it. However don’t forget that you only have a few hours and you will often have strict deadlines for making it back to the airport. That’s a lot of stress to deal with and sometimes we have to ask ourselves ‘Is it worth it?’ For those that don’t travel for work, the thought of missing an opportunity to experience a new city, even if it is just for a few hours, is inconceivable. But if you feel that it would be too must pressure and too stressful then remember it’s OK to say ‘No, I didn’t experience the city. I decided to make my travel time ‘me’ time and headed to the spa instead!’
Transport options - Getting to, from and around the airport
Bus - Heathrow has a 24 hour bus station located a short distance from Terminal 2 and 3. A free inter-terminal shuttle is available for passengers to get you from Terminals 4 and 5. The bus to London city centre will take approximately 40 minutes and buses run every 30 minutes.
Underground/Tube - Another option for getting into the city is to take the underground. Heathrow has an underground station within walking distance of Terminal 2 and 3 and one in each of the basements of Terminal 4 and 5. Underground trains run on the Piccadilly Line and will take about an hour to get from Heathrow to Central London.
Train - You can also take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station in Central London. The train takes about 15 minutes to get into the city and departs the airport every 15 minutes. There is also a non express train that will get you from Heathrow to Paddington Station but this will take you at least 40 minutes.
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Become a Sanctifly member and get access to 4000+ wellness locations at over 200 international airports including LHR. You can get access to airport executive lounges, airport gyms, pools and spas at Heathrow when you are a Sanctifly member. Make the most of your airport downtime and make healthy choices on your next trip.