The western suburb of Hounslow is conveniently located midway between central London and Heathrow Airport. This makes Hounslow hotels an ideal stopping-off point for anyone requiring quick and easy access to both.
Stopping Over in Hounslow
Hounslow's position not far outside London has made it a popular stopping point for centuries, in around 1650 there were 120 houses in Hounslow, and reportedly many of these were inns and hotels for weary travellers. With the advent of horse and cart journeys in the 18th century, Hounslow began to see even more business from people leaving or arriving in London, although this took a bit of a hit with the invention of the railway in the mid-19th century.
Today, you will find Heathrow Airport just six miles away, and the area has become one of the most culturally diverse in London.
The Home of Rugby
If Wembley is the hub of English football, then
Twickenham is without doubt the cathedral of English rugby. Seating up to 82,000 spectators, it is sure to provide a memorable spectacle for fans of the oval ball. It has hosted World Cup matches in 1991 and 1999, the Heineken Cup Final in 2007 and of course it is most widely used for England's Six Nations matches and tests against touring Southern Hemisphere teams.
It is also a popular outdoor music venue, with acts such as The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and R.E.M. performing to around 55,000 people.
If there are no matches or events on, you can still visit the World Rugby Museum. Opened in 1996 and located in the East Stand of the stadium, it holds the largest collection of rugby memorabilia in the world. Here you will find match programmes, shirts and a detailed look at what goes on throughout the stadium on a matchday.
A highlight for many is the Wall of Fame. Opened by World Cup-winning captain and former manager Martin Johnson in 2005, it details many of the finest players to have played at the stadium. Tours are also available, priced at £15 for adults and £9 for children.
International rugby is of course not a weekly occurence, so visitors to Hounslow looking for their fix should check the scehdule at The Stoop, the nearby home of English club side Harlequins. Alternatively, Kempton Park racecourse is another sporty option.
Parks and Houses
If you would rather enjoy the peace and quiet of the many green spaces and elegant country houses that Hounslow has to offer, you should start at 200-acre Hounslow Heath. This marvellous park is home to a prominent wildlife and nature reserve, and among the many flora and fauna visitors can find over 130 species of bird.
Elsewhere, Hounslow visitors can enjoy the elegant Tudor mansion at
Osterley Park, or take a tour of Syon House, the stunning home of the Duke of Northumberland.
Getting to Hounslow
The London Underground's Piccadilly Line passes through Hounslow on its way from Heathrow Airport to central London. The airport stations are just two stops from Hounslow West, while other getting off points in Hounslow include Hounslow Central, Hounslow East and Osterley.
Alternatively, there are regular trains from Hounslow to Waterloo, with journeys taking around 40 minutes. If Twickenham is your destination, you may want to aim for Twickenham station, also running frequently to and from Waterloo, with journey times from here closer to half an hour.
Hotels in Hounslow
An advantage of staying in Hounslow hotels is that you can often find high quality accommodation at a much lower price than central London.
Days Hotel Hounslow and
The Continental Hotel are two good examples of this. If you are looking to push the boat out, try
London Marriott Hotel Twickenham.
Pubs and Bars in Hounslow
For anyone staying in Hounslow, a good pub option near Hounslow Central tube station is The Bulstrode, which is about as traditional as you could wish for, with pub games and live sport a constant feature. There is also a Yates's Wine Lodge nearby. In and around the Twickenham area, The Rifleman enjoys one of the more positive, friendly reputations. Hounslow is perhaps not an area for the sort of stylish bars you would find in central London, but if you just want somewhere pleasant to enjoy a drink or two, you should be fine.
Restaurants in Hounslow
There plenty of good value eateries throughout Hounslow, with the great range of Indian restaurants a real local highlight. Euro Balti and Mantra are two of the best, while if you would find Modern European cuisine more appealing you should head for Twentynine.
Parking in Hounslow
There is a decent amount of
NCP car parking available at the tube stations at Osterley (TW7 4PU), Hounslow East (TW3 4AB) and Hounslow West (TW3 3DH).