Any ideas of what to do on a 6 hour lay over on the way to Rome?

Unfortunately, with the long check-in times and the fact that it takes an hour to get into the city (and an hour to return), you probably shouldn't plan on leaving the airport. The main terminal is laid out like an octopus, with the shopping and restaurants in the middle.

Assuming your bags are checked thorugh to Rome, you colud leave airside thorugh customs, head to the south terminal where they have an observation deck on the roof with a Comet flight deck and a Herald airliner where you can go inside. <BR> <BR>Technically you could get to London in 35 minutes on the Gatwick express but you would have to leave plent of time to come back allowing for any possible delays, get through security. Britsh Airways mentions that should you decide to leave the airport, you sholud inform a member of staff at the transit desk and return to the gate 45mins- 1 hour prior to departure. <BR> <BR>To be honest I do not think that a trip to London would be worth it for say 4 hours ( £20 per person return on the train) <BR> <BR>Hope you enjoy Rome

I agree with previous posters that you might as well just stay at the airport. There's not very much to see in the area around Wimbledon - so you'd end up having to go into London. And if you get delayed, it would be an absolute nightmare. You'll have plenty to feast your eyes on in Rome, so I wouldn't bother too much about missing out on a potential 2 hours' sightseeing in England. <BR> <BR>They've got things like massage at Gatwick (at the Clarins counter), so maybe your wife - if not you! - could kill some time that way. And you could always nip across to the Le Meridien Hotel for a slap-up lunch. It's a lovely hotel, only a couple of years old I think, which is actually attached to Gatwick via an internal walkway. My parents and I had a wonderful meal there once. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip! <BR> <BR>Kate

Since you have to be at the airport a minimum of three hours before your flight you really can't leave the airport. <BR> <BR>Gatwick is mear some interesting stately homes and castles in Kent and Sussex -- but you would really be risking missing your plane due to long security check. <BR> <BR>The Gatwick Express into London is convenient - but again you'd very likely get stuck in the security queues. <BR> <BR>So just chill at the airport - eat, drink, watch planes, e-mail folks back home, shop. You can fill the 4 hours free time you will actually have