Where the Crane meets planes. Walk, nature & picnic at LHR

Location

Middlesex

OutdoorLads shares the exact meeting point with people who have signed up, closer to the date. See the OutdoorLads listing for details.

About this event

I've been visiting the viewing area by Myrtle Avenue, by the landing lights for years, to watch the planes landing at Heathrow and often thought it would be great to get an ODL group together for a picnic and to enjoy the big jets. I know there are a lot of guys like me who like aviation, or maybe you fancy doing something a bit different. Add to that a flat, easy walk along the River Crane from Twickenham, and I think its a fun little day out.You can come for the walk or picnic or both!The WalkJoin me on this easy flat linear walk from Twickenham station following the River Crane as it meanders to Heathrow Airport. There's an optional walk around a small nature reserve by Crane Park.The walk route map can be viewed in OS Maps here.Points of interestRiver Crane The River Crane, a tributary of the River Thames, runs 8.5 miles (13.6 km). It forms the lower course of Yeading Brook. It adjoins or passes through three London boroughs: Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames.Crane Park & Shot Tower Crane Park is a 30 hectare public park next to the River Crane. The Hounslow Gunpowder Works opened in the late 1760s in what is now the western end of the park. Crane Park Island was created to provide a mill pond for the water to drive the machinery. There were many explosions and the Shot Tower is now thought to have been a windmill for recirculating water to power the mills, rather than a shot tower for making lead shot.The licence to manufacture gunpowder was withdrawn in 1927, and part of the site was sold to Twickenham Council, which turned it into Crane Park. This opened in 1935. The Shot Tower (now officially the Brick Tower) is a Grade II listed building.Crane Park Island Nature ReserveThere is a short circular walk of the reserve for those who wish to visit. Heathrow Airport The airport was opened on 25 March 1946 as London Airport; taking on the role of the UKs main International Airport from Croydon. It was renamed Heathrow Airport in September 1966. The airport's Central Terminal Area (CTA) was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, who set out the terminals and central-area buildings, including the control tower and the multi-faith Chapel of St George's.The airport consists of Terminals 2, 3, 4 & 5 and handles 1,300 flight movements daily and connects passengers to around 230 direct destinations across 85 countries, served by over 80 airlines.The PicnicThe plan is to have a picnic at the end of the walk at the viewing area known as Myrtle Avenue. What 3 words:///yarn.rested.stackWe should be able to see aircraft landing on runway 27L before they switch to 27R at 15.00. However the runway alteration programme can change depending on the wind direction, but hopefully we'll get some take off's or landings. You can of course just come for the picnic. We will aim to be at the viewing area by 13.30 or thereabouts. If you only wish to attend the picnic, please sign up as usual but add in the comments below that you are  only attending the picnic.You might want to bring a blanket, rug or something to sit on as the ground is dry and dusty. Bring food and drink with you or the BP petrol station 2 mins walk is well stocked. There is also a toilet here.New MembersNew members are very welcome. Please message me if you have any questions or concerns before the day. All Images were taken by Neil Prior & permission given to OutdoorLads for re-use.