Myrtle Avenue Green

The most famous spotting location in the world, and rightly so. An open patch of public grassland at the end of a residential cul-de-sac near Hatton Cross, positioned directly under the final approach to 27L. Aircraft pass overhead at around 40-50 ft, roughly five seconds from touchdown. You face north with the sun behind you, so the light is excellent for most of the day. Walk 100m along the main road and you can stand directly beneath the flight path. No facilities of any kind. Note: spotters have reported hemlock growing around the edges of the field - keep dogs and children away from the border vegetation.

Lens guide

70-200mm is plenty here; aircraft fill the frame. A wide lens is worth carrying for overhead shots.

Best time

Only useful when Heathrow is on westerlies and landing on 27L (roughly 70% of the time). Runways alternate at 15:00 daily for noise respite. Best 9am to sundown in winter, 9am to 6pm in summer.

Parking

Very limited. Myrtle Avenue itself is a short dead end with yellow lines and few spaces. Spotters commonly use JustPark to book a resident driveway nearby. Hatton Cross station (Piccadilly Line) is a five-minute walk and is the easier option.