Activities in Hounslow

With 29 acres of inner-city farm to explore, home to pigs, peacocks, ducks, alpacas and more, Hounslow Urban Farm is the largest community farm in London. Kids will love the pony rides, the pig meet and greets and the owl displays, while there’s also a bouncy castle, café and shop on site. The Farm is also home to the London Tropical Zoo, a heated and rather tropical space home to a variety of creepy-crawlies, slithers and snappers including crocodiles, tarantulas, piranhas and snakes.

A British royal palace dating back to 1631, Kew Palace & Gardens are located on the banks of the River Thames and is a fascinating place to explore and discover. The small – by royal terms – palace is packed full of history, with the royal kitchens and ice house worth a visit. But the real jewels in the crown are the gardens. The largest UNESCO World Heritage site in London, their plant collection is the biggest and most diverse in the world spread across the gardens and a variety of glasshouses. From desert colonies to temperate rainforest climates, and from wildflower meadows to an arboretum breathing with 14,000 trees, the gardens are several miles to the east of Hounslow and just a short drive from our Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 hotel.

Over the River Thames from Kew Palace & Gardens lies the London Museum of Water and Steam, a Victorian pumping station from 1820 that charts the history of London’s water supply. With interactive, hands-on exhibits, a splash zone for kids (big and small), a café and shop, there’s lots to explore and the history is fascinating.

100m down the road from the Water and Steam Museum is the Musical Museum, where you can discover self-playing pianos, dinky music boxes and their stunning Mighty Wurlitzer organ in their concert hall. Spread over three storeys, the museum also hosts concerts, film screenings and dances throughout the year.

A mile south from our Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 hotel, Bedfont Lakes Country Park is a very welcome green and blue oasis. With plenty of wildlife and wildflowers, it’s a wonderful place to see nature in all its wonder, while there are two play parks, designated dog walking areas and miles of lakeside paths to discover. The information boards detail the land’s history and what to keep an eye open for, while there’s a free car park on site.

On the other side of the Thames from Kew Palace lies Syon House & Park, a grandiose belonging to the Duke of Northumberland since 1594. The house is full of history, world-class artworks, sculptures and amazing furnishings with the Great Hall, Ante Room and more open for public viewing. The immaculate gardens are, too, while keen eyed-TV watchers might notice some of the house, gardens and features from TV shows and films including Vanity Fair, The Great British Bake Off and Downton Abbey.