Must have been a while ago since you were there. Current prices for cars are £3 per hour to a max of £12 for over 3 hours. Free entry for visitors on foot or by public transport or bicycle.

Gulf4uk:

Sure, the BAA closed the Queens Building for "security reasons", and Gatwick's facilities followed not so long afterwards.

The BAA could have offered viewing facilities without compromising security, as the authorities at Schiphol, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Zürich, and many other smaller airports in Germany do - they chose not to.

It may be that the UK government has had a hand in the closure of UK facilities, but I think it has more to do with commercial considerations. BAA has never been "spotter friendly" in the way that central european airports have been / currently are.

Heathrow
 

For anyone who does want to try Heathrow and doesnt fancy the cold, the Renaissance next to 27R may be worth a day.

Went down to LL for the first time since the old Queens building closed and opted to try the hotel rather than outside. Ok, it's not cheap, but parking, drinks and wifi included, and with decent bino's, 27L approaches are just about getable.

Actually not entirely true. There was a real lack of wheelchair access which the Labour government's law with unintended consequences made an issue as the law insisted that provision be made to correct this. With no income stream to cover it, they closed it as there was no business case for keeping it open.

Gatwick's South Terminal roof became a building site with no views and today would have remained much the same alas. At least at Heathrow there are a good many options around the perimter. Aside from the road under 26L, Gatwick is damn near spotter proof!

My first thought was that the LHR viewing deck closed prior to 1997, but having had doubts I tried googling it before responding. However couldn't find anything, so to satisfy my personal curiosity can anyone tell me when it did close?

I have photos taken from the deck in July 2001. Wasn't it closed (initially for security reasons) after 911 never to be re-opened?

I Can rememder the Roof gardens being First closed Early 1970s and we had
to use A carp park by the side of 28r (In those days)
not sure what happened after that because we gave up coming .

Tony
farnborough-aviation-group

yes as stated in my earlier post the access issue was what was being floated amongst LHR regulars (most of whom worked at LHR and accordingly there was a pretty up to date and accurate grapeline providing info) as to the actual reason for the Queens Building being closed

It was still open in summer 2002 which was the last time I was up there. It is of course never going to re-open mainly because the roof, the gardens and all they were are now memories since T2 was demolished. I have no doubt that T2.2 will be suitably spotter proof!

MAN AVP and hotels
 

I wouldnt recommend spending a full week at the AVP / RVP with a car it will cost you £12 every day. If you choose to stay at the nearby travel lodge or premier inn it only takes about 10 mins to walk there and you get in for free.

The takeaway cafe and restaurant dont mind you sitting or standing inside as long as you buy food and drink occasionally.

A completely different approach is to stay at the Airport Hotel Public house at the 23R end, its not 3 star buy any means but some of the rooms have stunning views of landing traffic, its cheap and they have many spotters from all over Europe stopping there, as a resident you can also use the balcony which is above the beer garden, summer evenings here are fantastic for photos.

Anyway check out the link

The Airport Hotel Manchester

manchester viewing
 

Thanks to all who have helped me. I have viewed the Manchester Airport Hotel and that is a deffinate option, i will know later after conversing with them. I am really looking forward to it. :ok: :)

Regards Stude

Other options if you want to park at MAN are to stick it in the Romper carpark and have a pint, or stick it in front of Customs in the cargo centre just round the corner, or failing that, in front of Doomwoodys.

I never told you any of this information :=

Just a small point,but some comments in this thread appear to knock the £12 cost for a car at the A.V.P. 08.00 to dusk. Frankfurt charges 8 euro's(£7.50) admission to their balcony viewing area(no cover,no food , 10.00 -18.00) so pro rata not a lot of difference,except 4-5 people can go in a car.:)-

Arguably though, you will at least get your moneys worth in FRA.

I recently flew for the first time from Exeter and was pleased and surprised to find an outdoor spectators' balcony affording good views of the apron. It is airside, so only accessible by departing passengers. It is upstairs in the bar area (no purchase expected). And when I was there it was sunny.