Watching jumbo jets roar in to Heathrow airport just a few feet above your head, seconds from touchdown, is a fun way to spend a few hours and a great way to appreciate the awesome power of these massive machines.
The official viewing areas within the airport boundary don't give you a chance to get particularly close to the action. Instead, head for a great location at the eastern end of the airport, just outside the perimeter fence.
To get there, take the tube to Hatton Cross underground station, which happens to be one stop before Heathrow Terminal 4 station.
From there all you need to do is walk a short distance along Hatton Road, till you come to
Myrtle Avenue on your right. Walk to the end of Myrtle Avenue (it's very short) and you'll come to the viewing point, a large expanse of grass fairly close to runway 27L.
It's a popular spot for plane enthusiasts, photographers, mums and dads with their kids, or those who simply want the thrill of watching the jumbo jets skim the roofs of the houses on Myrtle Avenue.
Here's some important advice though - before you go, be sure to check
this website, which lets you know which of Heathrow's runways is being used for landing.
If the wind is blowing in a particular direction, air traffic control won't bring the planes in on 27L. Most of the time, however, 27L is in use. Of course, wind direction can change quickly, so you may just have to be lucky.
If you wait long enough, you'll eventually get to see one of the awesome Airbus A380s fly in.
This relatively new jumbo is currently the world's largest passenger plane, with a wingspan of an incredible 80 metres. The other really big plane is, of course, the Boeing 747 - you're guaranteed to see plenty of those.
Keep in mind that some of these jumbo jets are LOUD - you might want to go with a pair of earplugs.
