Your London Layover
Luxury London mini-adventures
So you’ve booked a vacation or business travel with a connection at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR). But what do you do during a long layover? How do you make best use of your valuable time? We aim to provide joyous long-haul travel. If you’re wondering what to do during a long layover in London, you’ve come to the right place.
You could spend those precious hours wandering around Heathrow. You could even check into one of the 18 lounges. Have a shower, a good meal and even a spa treatment. Or you could get out of the airport, and go on a memorable adventure in London. This luxury London layover guide contains everything you need to know for the next time you have a few hours at one of London’s airports.
What to expect
Immigration and arrivals at the airport
No matter how long your layover, your London experience begins at the arrivals area of the airport. When you get off the aircraft, you will need to clear immigration. Please be aware there can be a considerable wait here. Residents of some countries may need a LHR transit visa but U.S. citizens do not need a visa. You will be required to produce three documents: a valid passport, the boarding pass for your entry flight, and proof of onward travel: the boarding passes for your next flight and a printed itinerary.
It is likely your hold baggage will remain checked to your final destination. You may want to take any hand luggage or carry-on bags with you. You could store these with the Excess Baggage service, or let your chauffeur take care of them for you.
Enjoy professional, chauffeured guided tours from Heathrow, and all London airports. London Heathrow Chauffeur Service: What Should You Expect?
Local delights
With time at a premium, you might prefer to stay local
The obvious destination is central London which is 60 minutes by car. Or you could just spend 20 minutes travelling to enjoy 3 Michelin Starred dining in Bray. You could drive for 15 minutes and arrive in style at Windsor Castle, and explore Windsor Great Park and The Savill Garden. In Runnymede you could visit the riverside landscape, where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215. For kids of all ages, and who are feeling lively, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort might be fun. Hampton Court Palace the famous seat of Henry VIII and his many wives is only 25 minutes from Heathrow. Situated on the Thames, and adjacent to Bushy Park, a royal park with roaming herds of fallow and red deer.
This great swathe of low-lying land became a royal park in 1529 when it was given to King Henry VIII by Cardinal Wolsey, along with Wolsey’s home – Hampton Court Palace.
Bushy is famed for its mix of waterways, gardens and history laid out over 1000 acres. After Richmond Park (2500 acres) it is the second-largest of London’s eight Royal Parks.
Escape to the 'country'
Local natural highs
Kingston upon Thames
One of the best & biggest shopping destinations in London
Further along the river, is Kingston, the Saxon king’s town. Kingston was called Cyninges tun in 838 AD, Chingestune in 1086, Kingeston in 1164, Kyngeston super Tamisiam in 1321 and Kingestowne upon Thames in 1589. The name means ‘the king’s manor or estate’ from the Old English words cyning and tun. It belonged to the king in Saxon times and was the earliest royal borough.
Kingston with its Tudor styled market place is one of the biggest shopping destinations in London. The Bentall Centre has an atrium ceiling which is higher than the nave of Westminster Abbey and the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. The original department store’s 1935 façade designed by Maurice Webb was retained. The Bentall Centre, now part of the Fenwick group has 82 stores over 4 floors and offers many luxury brands, including an Apple Store. The centre is located adjacent to John Lewis Kingston.
Did you know? Petula Clark gave her first public performance as a child at Bentalls in Kingston upon Thames. And Eric Clapton spent time busking in Kingston in his early career.
Moving along the river we come to Ham, Teddington Lock and Ham House before reaching Richmond.
Central London
Visit your favourite London club
While in London you might take the opportunity to visit your club. You chauffeur can drive you right to the door of the club, say in Pall Mall or St James’s. While you are visiting, your chauffeur will be delighted to assist with errands, such as shopping. They are always happy to help you save your time.
With many galleries and museums, London is always a great destination for the arts. Most of the larger museums, such as the British Museum, The National Gallery, Tate Modern and Collectors will get a chance to see new pieces and enjoy the world-class galleries. A rich theatrical scene, opera, concerts and musicals, the West End might be a good call if you have an evening layover.
The Temple Church
Built by the Knights Templar in 1161
Spiritual solace
Heathrow is located close to many places of worship
You might be seeking spiritual solace during your London layover. At the weekends you could visit the Wat Buddhapadipa temple in Wimbledon. A beautiful expression of Thai Buddhist architecture and traditions. Heathrow is situated 20 minutes from Southall and Hounslow, where there are many temples, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship for a multitude of faiths.
Cliveden House
The country house hotel and spa
Cliveden House is just 25 minutes from Heathrow. A five AA Red Star award-winning country house hotel. Built-in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, as a gift to his mistress. 350 years later, Cliveden House has evolved into a luxurious five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel and spa. A Grade I stately home set upon 376 acres of beautifully presented National Trust grounds.
Cliveden House is twinned with the Chewton Glen in the New Forest.
All electric luxury: Mercedes EQV on charge outside Cliveden.
Get expert travel advice
Our team will be delighted to hear from you
We hope you enjoyed our London airport layover guide. We hope it has inspired you to turn your London layover into a mini-adventure. For a splendid chauffeur-driven time in London, contact us. Learn more about our luxury transfer service for all London & UK airports including: Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, London City Airport, Stansted Airport, Luton Airport, Farnborough Airport, Biggin Hill Airport, London Oxford Airport, Battersea Heliport, Birmingham Airport, Manchester Airport. You may also be interested to learn about London’s top 10 private airports and private airport transfer service.
