Heathrow viewing areas

[KAZ]

Where are the best places to watch planes at heathrow?

[Henry's Wife]

I beleive when I have been there that they have a viewing place where you can watch them from inside and outside.

[Buenchico]

The official viewing areas are both currently closed.

The Spectator's Gallery, on the roof of Terminal 2, used to be a great place to take aircraft-mad youngsters (despite the fairly hefty admission charge). This is now closed 'until further notice' which, in view of security considerations, probably means 'for ever':
http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/controll er/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=5ece844f76a32010VgnVCM1 00000147e120a____&ChID=f33eaaf1ae522010VgnVCM1 00000147e120a____&Ct=B2C_CT_GENERAL&CtID=448c6 a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&ChPath=Hom e%5ELHR%5EAirport+Information%5ETerminal+3%5ET erminal+A-Z%5ESpectators+Gallery

The alternative official viewing area is the Heathrow Visitor Centre, on Bath Road (which offers free viewing facilities). Unfortunately, this is also closed but it is due to re-open, after refurbishment, 'in early 2007':
http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/controll er/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=382286879f932010VgnVCM1 00000147e120a____&ChID=fa3d7acbce543010VgnVCM1 00000147e120

[Buenchico]

Aagh!

Those massive URLs have resulted in the second part of my post disappearing!

For unofficial places to view aircraft at Heathrow, see here:
http://www.photovation.net/Spotting/SpottingLH R.htm
and/or here:
http://www.plane-mad.com/guide_view.php?guide= lhr

Chris