UK’s largest airport to launch first-of-its-kind tours this summer

A TOP UK airport is launching nature tours this summer.

Heathrow Airport will be launching tours of the usually private nature reserve that wraps around the airport.

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Across three different dates, visitors will be able to visit Causeway Nature Reserve, which has a new birdwatching hide designed to look like airport's traffic control tower.

The UK's largest airport says it manages around 170 hectares of land across 13 biodiversity sites surrounding the airport, which is equal to 10 per cent of the airport's overall footprint.

Tours will last around two hours and visitors will be able to see diverse habitats, including freshwater lakes, reedbeds, grasslands and woodlands.

Throughout the tour, participants will spot rare flowers, plants and wildlife.

In total, the reserve is said to be home to 79 bird species, an array of rare spiders, numerous butterfly species and Britain's rarest tree - the Black Poplar.

The Nature Traffic Control Tower has been introduced at the park as part of Heathrow's 'Nature Positive Plan', which includes understanding better and reducing its impact on nature and ecosystems.

Overall, Heathrow has invested over £250million into carbon and sustainability projects since 2022.

Becky Coffin, communities and sustainability director at Heathrow, said: "Our work to support nature happens all year round – from introducing cattle to graze habitats in spring, to discovering new-to-science fungi in our woodlands in autumn, and rotational hedgerow management in winter.

"Maintaining and restoring nature is a priority for Heathrow, and we hope this birdwatching experience helps bring our nature positive plan to life and shows travellers that Heathrow is committed to biodiversity, giving them greater confidence in their travel choices."

Tours of Heathrow's nature reserve will take place on May 26 - the bank holiday, June 18 and July 16 - however, tickets are already sold out.

The Nature Positive Plan launch follows the busiest day for arrivals at the airport, on Easter Monday, when over 140,000 passengers landed at the airport.

In total, almost a million passengers used the airport during the Easter weekend.

The Thursday before the Easter weekend saw over 250,000 passengers travel through the airport – making it the sixth day that has happened this year already - a record for Heathrow.

Some of the most popular destinations amongst passengers included Riga, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Heathrow also has a forgotten ghost terminal that was once largest in Western Europe – but now only a select few can enter.

Plus, the airport has multi-billion expansion plans.

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