Best London holiday attractions and airport taxi companies: Northolt is London’s closest business airport to Central London. It is also an excellent option for making crew swaps due to its proximity to Heathrow. Northolt to Park Lane Central London is 30 minutes by car. The same journey from most other London airports would take over 1 hour 30 minutes. Northolt also has the capability for quick turnarounds allowing drop off of pax for business in Central London and then repositioning the aircraft to an alternative airfield in London if necessary. The financial and Canary Warf districts are on the east side of London and may favor stopping at EGKB or EGSS. See even more info at Taxi Stansted to Luton.
A cathedral to culture, the V&A is a world-class museum championing the very best of decorative art and design. High-profile ticketed exhibitions often sell out, but the permanent exhibits are fascinating, free to visit (book a ticket and time slot through a new and socially distanced system) and include a mini pet cemetery. The world’s first all-porcelain courtyard created by architect Amanda Levete with 11,000 handmade tiles. When it catches the sunlight, the glittering ceramics make London look like 1960s Rome.
Stonehenge, 10 miles north of the historic city of Salisbury on Salisbury Plain, is Europe’s best-known prehistoric monument. It’s so popular that visitors need to purchase a timed ticket in advance to guarantee entry. Exhibitions at the excellent Stonehenge visitor center set the stage for a visit, explaining through audio-visual experiences and more than 250 ancient objects how the megaliths were erected between 3000 and 1500 BC, and sharing information about life during this time. After walking around the various viewing points adjacent to these enormous stones, visit the authentic replicas of Neolithic Houses to see the tools and implements of everyday Neolithic life as volunteers demonstrate skills from 4,500 years ago. Although you can’t go inside the circle to wander among the stones during normal opening hours, you can reserve special early morning or late evening access into the circle through English Heritage, which manages the site.
This character-themed play centre is 13,000 square feet of wonder. Kids will love playing in the different zones, with Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder and Thomas the Tank themed play equipment in each one. Bring a camera so your little one can have their photo snapped with their favourite character. Maximum age limit: six years. This is the ultimate playground for the child who wants to be a doctor/chef/ballerina when they grow up. This indoor city is created to scale for children, with job roles for them to try out, including fire fighter, photographer and journalist with international sponsors giving the zones an extra sense of reality.
Meet the animals at ZSL London Zoo. The inhabitants include penguins, lions, meerkats, reptiles and gorillas. See the animals in action at daily talks and displays – including giraffe high tea and otter snack time. Take in the stunning architecture of iconic London landmark, Westminster Abbey and find out about the part it played in British history. Explore the setting for ceremonial events, including royal weddings, coronations and funerals. Discover even more information at https://skybridgecars.com/.
If you’re stopping over in Heathrow overnight in between your connecting flight, you’re probably going to want to get some shut-eye. You’ll find you’re in good company if you want to take a nap in the seating areas. However, if you’re after greater comfort check out the YOTELAIR hotel (terminal 4). There are pod-like cabins with comfortable memory foam mattresses with private bathroom facilities to enjoy. If you only want a few hours of sleep, this is a great option to freshen up after a nap. Heathrow is much more than an airport. You can shop until you drop. You’ll find all the big brands at part of the shopping experience. But, don’t concentrate on shopping while you’re there, and forget you’ve got a flight to catch.
From watching the changing of the guard to catching a glimpse of the royals on the balcony at state occasions, the Queen’s HQ is usually a top tourist spot. But its status as the official royal residence is relatively recent. Originally built as a townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham in the 18th century, it was first acquired by royalty in 1761 when George III bought it for his wife Queen Charlotte. The architect John Nash transformed it into a grand palace, but George died before he could move in and Queen Victoria became the first monarch to live in it. Carved into the chalky hillside above the village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset, this ancient outline of a naked giant has attracted curious travellers for centuries. No one quite knows when or why the 180-foot (55m) tall figure was carved here, although folklore has it that it was an ancient symbol of fertility. Nevertheless, Britain’s largest chalk hill figure is a spectacular sight.
Daniel Moraru
Alexa Botez