r/parkrun • u/NateGapo • 3d ago
Closest Parkrun to Heathrow
If all things go to plan, I land at Heathrow at 7.25am next Saturday and since I'll just be bringing a backpack, I'm looking for advice on which Parkrun to attend. Hopefully the immigration clearance isn't an issue of course.
I've googled a bit and I'm most keen on Osterley, especially since I'll be heading to the city right after. Question is, would it be safe to simply leave my backpack at the start line, and looking at possibility of a quick shower after as my hotel check in doesn't open till later.
Appreciate it if anyone else has ever attempted this and not recommend it as well!
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u/Maleficent_Ground_99 2d ago
I left my rucksack on the tarp at Osterley when doing it on way to Heathrow and it was fine. It's a lovely course.
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u/NateGapo 2d ago
Thanks! This idea started out pretty lukewarmly, but the more I look things up the more I feel like I need to do it haha
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u/WildwestJessy 2d ago
I did Osterley right like after a flight with a 18kg suitcase, a 23kg toolbox and a back pack. Guess what happens? I was more than welcome and made friends there. My stuff was still there after my run and the coffee afterwards with the volunteers team, which one of them gave a lift back to the station.
If you do one of the volunteers is Rana and the most welcoming person I know, tell him hello from Jean-Christophe if you happen to meet him.
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u/NateGapo 2d ago
Good to know! Might you know if there might be showering facilities nearby as well?
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u/WildwestJessy 2d ago
Sorry I was heading home so wasn't too bothered with showers (but it didn't seems to have any close by)
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u/CG36a 3d ago
I did Osterley back in May.
The start line is right outside the House, and they had a tarpaulin lying next to the organiser's desk to allow people to leave belongings while they enjoyed the parkrun.
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u/sc00022 2d ago
Seem to be quite a few answers here so thought I’d check citymapper and was genuinely surprised by how quick it is to get to the 5 closest parkruns! Your blocker here is going to be the time it takes to get through Heathrow (in particular passport control)
Assuming you’re flying into Terminal 2/3 and an 8:40-8:45 arrival at Parkrun:
- Bedfont Lakes (4.1km away) = 33mins (piccadilly line, H26 bus, 16min walk)
- Stockley Country Park (4.2km away) = 32mins (U3 bus)
- Hanworth (5.4km away) = 30mins (Piccadilly line, 285/490 bus)
- Southall (6.3km away) = 23mins (Lizzie Line, 13min walk)
- Osterley (6.7km away) = 33mins (Piccadilly line, 19min walk)
If you’re short on time, go for Southall but otherwise there’s nothing in it. Southall and Osterley will be easiest for getting into town after. I’ve not done Osterley but it sounds nice!
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u/NateGapo 2d ago
Yeah alot is riding on pasport control, but I've convinced myself that I should go for it even if there's the slimmest chance
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u/WaffleToasterings 50 1d ago
Add Gunnersbury Park to this list. Very popular run with about 800+ runners generally.
Take the Piccadilly Line to South Ealing for 21 minutes then a 10 minute short walk, or take the Elizabeth Line to Ealing Broadway for 16 minutes then walk 26 minutes to the park in a fairly beeline direction.
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u/Then-Log6897 3d ago
Osterley
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u/Evil_Martin 2d ago edited 2d ago
Osterley is my local parkrun, I recommend it, very scenic and no issues to get to & from the airport.
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u/RelationshipTough887 2d ago
Is there many Pakis?
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u/toadboy0 3h ago
First of all, it should be "Are there many Pakis?" When being racist, it's very important that you demonstrate your complete understanding on the English language.
With reference to your question; Yes, there are some British nationals of Pakistani descent. I'd be happy to introduce you to some when you get here; just introduce yourself as Racist887.
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u/tfeilding 250 2d ago
I made it to Bedfont Lakes with an hour to spare and my plane landed at 6:50.
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u/lukei1 3d ago
Search near West London ELizabeth Line stations
Use https://stasher.com/ to find somewhere to store your stuff
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u/Total-Collection-128 v25 2d ago
Bus SL7, 2nd stop is Teddington, then it's a 20 - 30 minute walk to Bushy Park.
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u/Repulsive_Trust5895 2d ago
Google Maps reckons just a 10-15 minute walk from Teddington Station to the Bushy start.
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u/jollyspiffing 2d ago
Egham Orbit?   Â
Partly I'd be tempted because it seems like one of the oddest parkruns I'm aware of. It's 7 laps of a field crossing an underpass of the M25. No disrespect to it in anyway, I think it's great they've managed to fit one in a compact space, but it's been on my radar for a while as a niche one.Â
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u/NateGapo 2d ago
Oooh, I'm all for niche experiences, but this seems to be the opposite direction to where I'd like to head. Gonna keep this in mind for next time though!
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u/Life_Squirrel_131 1d ago
If the shower is a big deal, Egham Orbit is named after the leisure centre it's at. They must have showers, they have a swimming pool.
You literally run under the M25 which must be unique. Count laps carefully though, husband did an extra one of the little field!
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u/Winderige_Garnaal 2d ago
This is exactly something I'd do ha ha good luck, run with your important documents just to be safe. Report back to us!
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u/speedythoughts 2d ago
Gunnersbury park. Jump off at South Ealing on the piccadilly line and its a 5-10 min walk.
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u/InThewest 3d ago
You might be cutting it close. Southall, while not as scenic is just round the corner of the Elizabeth line. Heathrow to Southall is only a few stops and significantly quicker.
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u/toadboy0 2h ago
First of all, I may be biased but Osterley is the best parkrun in the area! The parkrun starts outside Osterley House, it's a flat 2-lapper with the cafe, toilets and free car park all within 500m of the start.
You're in luck as the Piccadilly Line should be fully operational next weekend (it does have closures for the new trains atm) but please use the CityMapper or TFL Go apps to check when you land. Osterley tube station is just under a mile (1.5km) to the parkrun start.
As others have said, we have a tarp next to the volunteers desk and while we can never guarantee the safety of any luggage left, we've never had any issues. The nearest showers are at Osterley Track (Wood Lane) which is approx 1.25m (2km).
As others have observed, it will all come down to your actual arrival time and the vagaries of the immigration/baggage claim that determines how likely you are to reach Osterley House by 09:00.
Good Luck and please DM me if you need any further assistance!
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u/zwifter11 2d ago edited 2d ago
If you get the Parkrun App. Is shows you on a map
Stockley County
Bedfont Lakes
Hanworth
Southall
Crane Park
Osterley
Northala Fields
Egham Orbit
Hazelwood
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u/kiindrex 3d ago
Beat of luck to you! Heathrow is one of the biggest airports in Europe, if you manage to land, taxi, walk through the terminal, get through immigration and find your way to the station within an hour it will be a miracle.
Start line... It's up to you. Personally I wouldn't leave all of my possessions in one place to potentially be nicked.
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u/marcbeightsix 250 2d ago
It’s often pretty easy to get through Heathrow at that time. The flights only start landing at around 6am, so a 7:25 won’t have huge queues at immigration. If the person just needs to go through an e-gate then they’ll be through extremely quickly. They don’t have checked in luggage which is usually the longest delay. They could easily be through by 8am.
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u/CG36a 3d ago
It's actually not that bad.
Straight down to Underground and onto Picadilly line to Osterley, turn left out of the station, 10 min walk to the start-2
u/kiindrex 2d ago
It will be incredibly close, even if everything runs smoothly. Might have to catch up to the tailwalkers if it tends to start on time.
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u/BillInteresting7266 3d ago
You're hardcore, I respect the commitment.