Heathrow layover/Kew Gardens
May 24th, 2004, 11:25 AM
#1
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Heathrow layover/Kew Gardens
We have a 7 hour layover at LHR on our way to Istanbul. I have been mulling over options (I realize it will take some time to go through customs, etc), and was wondering if anyone has gone to Kew Gardens on a long layover. If so, how best to get there? Taxi? Any idea on how much such a taxi ride would cost. Any other suggestions would be appreciated as well.
May 24th, 2004, 12:47 PM
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I've not done it, and I'd be too mean to take a cab . It's about 45 mins by public transport each way: 20 mins on the tube to South Ealing and another 18 mins on a no 65 bus to Kew Green. Tubes are about every 5 mins, n 65s every 7-8 mins.
Kew Gardens are really quite huge, and - depending on the season - what you want to see might be a fair walk from the gate. I couldn't envisage giving them less than 2-3 hours.
The key is careful advance planning, using the "current garden highlights" section on the RBG site.
Everyone knows about the journey planner at www.tfl.gov to work out the bus/tube. The rules about cab fares are also on the site at www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/taxi_fares.shtml. It seems to work out about £25 each way during the day on a weekday
Kew Gardens are really quite huge, and - depending on the season - what you want to see might be a fair walk from the gate. I couldn't envisage giving them less than 2-3 hours.
The key is careful advance planning, using the "current garden highlights" section on the RBG site.
Everyone knows about the journey planner at www.tfl.gov to work out the bus/tube. The rules about cab fares are also on the site at www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/taxi_fares.shtml. It seems to work out about £25 each way during the day on a weekday
May 25th, 2004, 10:26 AM
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Rachel
Kew is a really worthwhile place to visit if you have enough time. A virtual paradise for gardeners and a great place to wander for the rest of us. That said, just be sure you really have enough time to clear customs, deal with luggage (if bags aren't "checked through"
, get to Kew, enjoy the gardens, and get back to Heathrow in time for check in. If traffic is light, it is about 15 minutes from the airport to Kew.
Windsor is another possibility...takes about the same amount of time, maybe a few minutes more, from Heathrow (by taxi).
A "real" taxi will not be cheap...maybe £40+ for either journey. You can get a minicab--a private car service--for about half that price. Convent Cars seems to be well known in the area (this is not a personal recommendation). They have no website or email, requires a phone call to (011) 44-1753-862568.
Kew is a really worthwhile place to visit if you have enough time. A virtual paradise for gardeners and a great place to wander for the rest of us. That said, just be sure you really have enough time to clear customs, deal with luggage (if bags aren't "checked through"
, get to Kew, enjoy the gardens, and get back to Heathrow in time for check in. If traffic is light, it is about 15 minutes from the airport to Kew.Windsor is another possibility...takes about the same amount of time, maybe a few minutes more, from Heathrow (by taxi).
A "real" taxi will not be cheap...maybe £40+ for either journey. You can get a minicab--a private car service--for about half that price. Convent Cars seems to be well known in the area (this is not a personal recommendation). They have no website or email, requires a phone call to (011) 44-1753-862568.
May 25th, 2004, 12:05 PM
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We have gone to Kew gardens more than once during long Heathrow layovers on our way to Athens. We have taken the tube to do so. It is a wonderful way to spend the time, and very relaxing. We have done this during different seasons of the year, and there is always something beautiful to see. I highly recommend going to Kew -- you won't be sorry.
May 25th, 2004, 12:32 PM
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Wisley? Fuggedaboutit.
It's 21 miles away by cab round the M25, or 4 miles by cab from Woking railway station - which is where the Heathrow bus stops. And there's no legally-determined fare if you're in a cab straight from Heathrow: the fare is haggled between you and the driver.
Its main advantage over Kew is the fantastic range of plants for sale. But this isn't really that relevant if you've at least 5,000 miles to travel before getting home.
And it doesn't have Kew's extraordinary architecture.
Next time though, when you're in less of a hurry, do include Wisley in your plans. Gardens really are one of the things we do spectacularly well. Up there with choral evensong and binge drinking.
It's 21 miles away by cab round the M25, or 4 miles by cab from Woking railway station - which is where the Heathrow bus stops. And there's no legally-determined fare if you're in a cab straight from Heathrow: the fare is haggled between you and the driver.
Its main advantage over Kew is the fantastic range of plants for sale. But this isn't really that relevant if you've at least 5,000 miles to travel before getting home.
And it doesn't have Kew's extraordinary architecture.
Next time though, when you're in less of a hurry, do include Wisley in your plans. Gardens really are one of the things we do spectacularly well. Up there with choral evensong and binge drinking.
