Pithakos's Profile

As a frequent traveller and London resident, all I can say is good luck. This isn't a great idea with a city like London, especially if your eight hours does not already include a 2-3 hour check-in window. You'll be stressed, exhausted and harried, which is how most Londoners feel most of the time, and not the best way to experience a truly great city. However, if you are determined, here's how to do it.

Your starting point should be Transport for London, who will give you a reasonably accurate estimate (without accounting for delays, which are frequent) of how long it will take you to get from point A to point B. My guess would be that the fastest way between Heathrow and the actual centre of town is the Piccadilly line, which will take you anywhere from Hyde Park to Kings Cross. This will take around an hour (and don't forget the hour back either!).

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

What to do while you're here is a question that should actually be dictated by your interests. What makes London one of the world's greatest cities is not the Tower of London or Buckingham Palace, although those are always options, but rather the atmosphere, the music, the theatre, the people, the food. 7 hours is never going to give you a chance to even dip your toes in.

My recommendation? Pick one thing and do it right. Love Shakespeare? Walk down by the South Bank of the Thames (a favourite atmospheric spot for both locals and tourists alike) to the Globe Theatre, which is a replica of the original Shakespearean theatre built on the exact spot, which has an incredible view of St Pauls and the city, and do a tour or even take in a show. One of the few touristy experiences which is also incredibly authentic and carrying with it equal parts historic and cultural value. The restaurant there (the Swan at the Globe) serves excellent quality British food (made from local organic ingredients, showcasing one of London's newer trends, amazing food) as well as afternoon tea (another classic). It's also next door to the UK's finest contemporary art museum, the Tate Modern, built in an iconic old Turbine hall and chimney.

However, and this wouldn't be my choice, if you really want bang for your buck, visit the National Gallery on Trafalger Square - well connected (and on the Piccadilly line straight from Heathrow), which hits two iconic landmark birds with one stone. If you have time, walk down to the River down Whitehall past the Horse Guards parade and 10 Downing Street (where the Prime Minister lives), where you will hit Westminster Palace (with Big Ben and the House of Commons) and Westminster Cathedral. You can then hop back on the district line to Hammersmith where you can rejoin the Piccadilly Line back to Heathrow. No time for food on this one, but if you're starving, find somewhere that serves the greasiest fish and chips you can. Quick and dirty and quintessentially British.