7-hour LHR layover: Windsor Castle and BA T5 First checkin?
Mar 8, 2018, 1:39 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Gold Amb.
Posts: 159
I guess the driver would know whats best, but a good idea to pre book and then confirm with them how long it would take.
Mar 8, 2018, 4:10 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sapporo, Japan
Programs: Junior Jet Club, Nando's Card 1 Red Chilli, Tesco Clubcard, BAEC Gold, TK M&S Elite
Posts: 520
Personally I'd not risk it. I've been stuck in traffic there, and it can happen at the drop of a hat. You also might have to queue to get into Windsor Castle. If you do go for it though, I'd be tempted to find out what your next flight options are, but also bear in mind that your luggage will need to be offloaded if you don't get back in time, which would probably make it less likely that the staff are understanding of your plight.
Having said that, I've done a similar thing in Tokyo, and got back in time for my flight. Tokyo's public transport is exceptional though, and you can set your watch by it usually. London, well, less so.
Having said that, I've done a similar thing in Tokyo, and got back in time for my flight. Tokyo's public transport is exceptional though, and you can set your watch by it usually. London, well, less so.
Mar 8, 2018, 4:21 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
You're pushing it to see the changing of the guard and then get back to Heathrow. Any traffic, or crowding at Windsor (both likely) and you're in trouble, especially with unskilled companions.
If you want to do this, I recommend you don't stay at Windsor for the changing of the guard.
If you want to do this, I recommend you don't stay at Windsor for the changing of the guard.
Mar 8, 2018, 4:47 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
Mar 8, 2018, 6:11 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
Best check the changing of the guard website as the change ceremony is not done in public every day - currently 3 days a week.
Also the Castle has varying opening hours over Easter and also certain parts are not always open so check in advance to save yourself a possibly wasted trip.
Also the Castle has varying opening hours over Easter and also certain parts are not always open so check in advance to save yourself a possibly wasted trip.
Any other things we could do instead?!
Mar 8, 2018, 10:28 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,746
I like heading to Osterely Park. It gets you out of the hustle and bustle for a bit, and it's only a few stops on the tube. The house is beautiful, as are the grounds. As always, check the opening times.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ost...park-and-house
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ost...park-and-house
Mar 9, 2018, 1:35 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,916
Although the castle is closed, I still would not discount a few hours in Windsor town. The castle is definitely worth a few photos even from outside, you can wander along the Thames and buy some food to feed the ducks and swans, and then wander over the Thames and down the High Street to see Eton College. It's a different type of visit but can be equally rewarding.
Osterley House is another good tip, although it is a bit of a walk from the tube station - about 15-20 mins from memory.
Osterley House is another good tip, although it is a bit of a walk from the tube station - about 15-20 mins from memory.
Mar 17, 2018, 5:04 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
Although the castle is closed, I still would not discount a few hours in Windsor town. The castle is definitely worth a few photos even from outside, you can wander along the Thames and buy some food to feed the ducks and swans, and then wander over the Thames and down the High Street to see Eton College. It's a different type of visit but can be equally rewarding.
Osterley House is another good tip, although it is a bit of a walk from the tube station - about 15-20 mins from memory.
Osterley House is another good tip, although it is a bit of a walk from the tube station - about 15-20 mins from memory.
Should be at the LHR T3 gate by 7am, and cleared and in AA Arrivals Lounge by 7:30am. Will book Windsor cab for 8:15am, to be in Windsor by 8:45. Plan is to go to the Clarion Windsor Castle and leave bags at bell stand.
Will have about 2 1/2 hours to walk around castle, river and see some shops (which look to open at 9 or 9:30). Then back in cab by 11:15 to be back at T5 by 11:45am for 1:15pm flight.
Thanks for the advice Flyertalkers.
Mar 17, 2018, 5:20 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
@dave_261 - you look to have a feasible plan there.
I personally feel that the chance to see / experience something new in an unfamiliar city is invariably preferable to spending hours in any glorified waiting room, aka an airport lounge.
I personally feel that the chance to see / experience something new in an unfamiliar city is invariably preferable to spending hours in any glorified waiting room, aka an airport lounge.
Mar 17, 2018, 5:23 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 258
Windsor is a lovely place @dave_261 . So having a walk around the area, maybe crossing over the bridge to Eton, is not a bad idea if you have the time to fit it in with your schedule. Some of the car parks only allow 2 hours anyway I think (I visited Windsor a couple of weeks ago, and it cost me around £7 in pound coins to park for 2 hours, in the one car park that didn't accept card payments).
Another possible option would be to visit RHS Wisley if it's open? *If* the M25 is clear (a big *if* I know!) it's not long to get to the A3 junction. They are very pretty gardens, and when the weather is nice it's lovely to stroll around them.
If your stopover was a couple of hours longer, you'd have options like Hampton Court and maybe even Kew. Oh well, perhaps some other time
Another possible option would be to visit RHS Wisley if it's open? *If* the M25 is clear (a big *if* I know!) it's not long to get to the A3 junction. They are very pretty gardens, and when the weather is nice it's lovely to stroll around them.
If your stopover was a couple of hours longer, you'd have options like Hampton Court and maybe even Kew. Oh well, perhaps some other time
Mar 17, 2018, 5:24 am
#26
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 258
Mar 17, 2018, 5:28 am
#27
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW London
Programs: BAEC Silver; Hilton Diamond;a miscellany of other hotel non-statuses
Posts: 3,607
I don't recall having an early morning there, but you may find the more boutique / specialist shops open at 10am so that the owners don't have to do face the commute run. I'd plan to walk over to Eton as an early part, then look for coffee and shops on way back.
Mar 17, 2018, 6:23 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,378
OP here... ok here's what I'm thinking given that Windsor Castle is closed. Based on suggestions here I believe it still makes sense to leave airport for the long layover.
Should be at the LHR T3 gate by 7am, and cleared and in AA Arrivals Lounge by 7:30am. Will book Windsor cab for 8:15am, to be in Windsor by 8:45. Plan is to go to the Clarion Windsor Castle and leave bags at bell stand.
Will have about 2 1/2 hours to walk around castle, river and see some shops (which look to open at 9 or 9:30). Then back in cab by 11:15 to be back at T5 by 11:45am for 1:15pm flight.
Thanks for the advice Flyertalkers.
Should be at the LHR T3 gate by 7am, and cleared and in AA Arrivals Lounge by 7:30am. Will book Windsor cab for 8:15am, to be in Windsor by 8:45. Plan is to go to the Clarion Windsor Castle and leave bags at bell stand.
Will have about 2 1/2 hours to walk around castle, river and see some shops (which look to open at 9 or 9:30). Then back in cab by 11:15 to be back at T5 by 11:45am for 1:15pm flight.
Thanks for the advice Flyertalkers.
That said Windsor is a great place
Mar 17, 2018, 6:55 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 258
I miss Carluccio's mocha...
There are some really nice looking tea rooms in Windsor; Lillibet's by the Castle is usually busy, and had tea with my girlfriend in Clarence Brasserie & Tea Room a few weeks back, they had a whole menu of teas!
There are some really nice looking tea rooms in Windsor; Lillibet's by the Castle is usually busy, and had tea with my girlfriend in Clarence Brasserie & Tea Room a few weeks back, they had a whole menu of teas!