8hr stopover LHR - advice re what to do with luggage and shopping opportunities

[juddles]

Hi there all,

just hoping for some quick advice.

This Thursday 18th I arrive 2pm to LHR on QF, and depart that evening at 10pm on an Avianca flight. I will have a checked bag with me. I will have to clear customs with the bag, and seeing I get bored very quickly, I was thinking that maybe I could do some shopping during the afternoon. (Am on separate tickets QF to LHR, and then AV LHR-BOG)

I do not know London. I don't want to go far, just keen on getting to a shopping centre with a variety of stores. Any suggestions on one?

And is there luggage storage available for the day at LHR? I arrive in Terminal 3 I think and depart from Terminal 2, so bag storage at T2 would be ideal.

Any advice?

 

[Himeno]

There is baggage storage at each LHR terminal. Normally on the arrivals level near exit from customs. (The T3 storage is behind the EK CD desk near the ramp down towards the passage to the train station.) Left baggage | Luggage storage at Heathrow | Lockers | Heathrow

The Piccadilly Line runs into the city from LHR, though it can take upto an hour to get to central London. Otherwise there is the Express train to Paddington station. The express train can get expensive with fares up to £29 each depending on when you travel and where/how you get the ticket. Most expensive to get on the train during peak.

I haven't stopped in London for a while (mainly due to APD). Looking at doing a day trip there this year with a morning flight in from OSL or CPH and the evening QF flight out.

 

[Pierre_a]

If you're only after a shopping centre, Westfield Shepherds Bush would save you the extended trek into the city. Get the Picadilly line to Hammersmith and change there for white city.

Of course I'd probably recommend something more culturally pleasant than subjecting yourself to such a place. That being the case try visiting Osterley Park a few stops down the Picadilly line from Heathrow. Its a fantastic national trust property which will give you an insight into how the landed gentry used to live - its really something. It's also right under the flight path so good for plane spotting!

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park-and-house

After that you could take the tube to Chiswick and find a decent pub to while away the rest of your time over a few pints of Pride. Alternatively If you've got time head down to Richmond and sit by the river and nurse a pint in the summer sun there.

Pierre

 

[alieninperth]

Like Pierre said ^^

 

[clifford]

I do not know London. I don't want to go far, just keen on getting to a shopping centre with a variety of stores. Any suggestions on one?

When I have a few hours to kill at LHR I sometimes take the 111 bus from the Heathrow Central bus station (a short walk from T2/3) to Kingston upon Thames, where there is a large shopping centre, department stores and many well-known high street shops in a pedestrian mall area. You'll find pretty much any type of retail outlet you might want. In addition, there is the Thames and a riverbank walk with several interesting restaurants, where you can enjoy the summer weather and watch the passing river traffic.

Close by (a few stops away on the 111 bus) there is Hampton Court Palace of Henry VIII fame, which is probably worth a visit, and there are several interesting pubs in the area, such as the Cardinal Wolsey.

The journey from Heathrow to Kingston takes about an hour .