Ruth Haines
Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest airport, was once known as ''London Airport' when it opened in 1946. However, in 1966, the airport was renamed Heathrow Airport, taking its name from the ancient hamlet of Heath Row, upon which the airport was built.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Heathrow Airport |
| Named After | The ancient hamlet of Heath Row |
| Location of Hamlet | Southeast of the current airport, roughly where Terminal 3 is now |
| Hamlet Characteristics | Farms, market gardens, orchards, Heathrow Farm, Heathrow Hall, Heathrow House, and Heathrow Road |
| Demolition | 1944 |
| Reason for Name Change | To distinguish it from other airports, like Gatwick and Stansted |
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What You'll Learn
Heathrow Airport was named after the hamlet it was built on
Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest airport in terms of passenger volume, was named after the hamlet it was built on. The airport, which opened in 1946 as London Airport, only adopted the name Heathrow in 1966. The name change was implemented to distinguish it from its counterpart in the south, Gatwick.
The centuries-old hamlet, known as Heath Row, was largely an agricultural area consisting of farms, market gardens, and orchards. It was demolished in 1944 to make way for the development of the airfield. The area had also previously been home to a private airfield, the Great West Aerodrome, which opened in 1929 and was operated by UK aircraft manufacturer Fairey Aviation.
The name Heathrow is derived from the hamlet's location along Heathrow Road, which ran roughly along the eastern and southern edges of the present central terminals area. Heathrow Farm, Heathrow Hall, and Heathrow House were also located within the hamlet.
The current location of Terminal 3 is said to be the closest to where the ancient hamlet once stood. Heathrow's two runways, the Northern Runway and the Southern Runway, are located north and south of the former hamlet, respectively.
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The hamlet was known as 'Heath Row'
Heathrow Airport, originally known as London Airport, was established in 1946. However, the site's history as an airfield goes back to 1929, when Fairey Aviation built the Great West Aerodrome. The airport was renamed in 1966, 20 years after its establishment, to distinguish it from other airports serving London, such as Gatwick and Stansted.
The name "Heathrow" is derived from the ancient hamlet, Heath Row, upon which the airport was built. This small settlement was largely agricultural, consisting of farms, market gardens, and orchards. It was demolished in 1944 to make way for the development of the airfield. The hamlet was located southeast of the Great West Aerodrome and was situated along a country lane called Heathrow Road, which ran roughly along the eastern and southern edges of the present central terminals area.
The hamlet of Heath Row was a small, centuries-old settlement on the outskirts of London. It is said that the location of Terminal 3 is closest to where the hamlet once stood. Heathrow Farm, Heathrow Hall, and Heathrow House were some of the notable landmarks within the hamlet. The name "Heath Row" may have originated from the lane that divided the hamlet, which was called Heathrow Road.
The name "Heath Row" reflects the history and character of the area. The term "heath" refers to a type of landscape, often characterised by open, uncultivated land, which was once common in the region. The addition of "Row" may indicate a row of houses or buildings that once lined Heathrow Road. Over time, the name evolved to become "Heathrow," reflecting the transformation of the ancient hamlet into a bustling airport.
The naming of Heathrow Airport after the hamlet of Heath Row preserves a piece of local history and provides a connection to the area's past. It serves as a reminder of the agricultural and rural nature of the land before it became one of the world's busiest aviation hubs.
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The name change took place in 1966
Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest airport in terms of passenger volume, was originally called "London Airport" when it opened in 1946. The name change to Heathrow took place in 1966, twenty years after its establishment.
The name Heathrow is derived from the ancient hamlet of Heath Row, upon which the airport was built. This hamlet, largely an agricultural area with farms, market gardens, and orchards, was demolished in 1944 to make way for the development of the airfield. The hamlet was located roughly where Terminal 3 is today.
The transition to the name Heathrow was made to distinguish it from its counterpart in the south, Gatwick, which was rising to prominence. The airport was almost named 'Swintonfield' after the first Minister of Civil Aviation, Lord Swinton. However, the name Heathrow was chosen despite concerns that foreign visitors and crews would have trouble pronouncing it.
In 1996, Prime Minister John Major considered renaming the airport again, this time after a significant UK historical figure, Sir Winston Churchill. However, this idea did not come to fruition, and Heathrow has now spent over half a century operating under its current name.
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The transition to 'Heathrow' was to avoid confusion with other airports
Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest airport in terms of passenger volume, was originally called "London Airport" when it opened in 1946. The airport was renamed "Heathrow Airport" in 1966, twenty years after its establishment.
The transition to "Heathrow" was to avoid confusion with other airports serving the city, namely Gatwick and Stansted. As Gatwick rose in prominence, it became clear that "London Airport" needed a less generic name to distinguish it from its southern counterpart.
The name "Heathrow" is derived from the ancient hamlet of Heath Row, upon which the airport is built. The hamlet, largely an agricultural area of farms, market gardens, and orchards, was demolished in 1944 to make way for the airport's development. Heathrow Farm, Heathrow Hall, and Heathrow House were some of the features of this small settlement, which was located along Heathrow Road.
While the name "Heathrow" was chosen, other names were considered, including "Swintonfield," after the first Minister of Civil Aviation, Lord Swinton. There were concerns that foreign visitors and crews would struggle to pronounce "Heathrow", but the name was ultimately kept.
In the 1990s, there was even talk of renaming the airport after a significant UK historical figure, Sir Winston Churchill. However, Heathrow has now spent over half a century operating under its current name, and it remains a central force in global aviation.
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The hamlet was largely agricultural and was demolished in 1944
Heathrow Airport, originally named London Airport, was established in 1946. However, the area's history as an airfield dates back to 1929, when the Great West Aerodrome was built by Fairey Aviation. The site for this airfield was chosen due to its proximity to London, and it was located near a hamlet known as 'Heath Row' or Heathrow.
The hamlet of Heathrow was largely agricultural, consisting of farms, market gardens, orchards, and a country lane known as Heathrow Road. It was situated on the outskirts of London, and its history can be traced back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Heathrow Farm, Heathrow Hall, and Heathrow House were some of the notable landmarks within this hamlet.
In 1944, with the redevelopment of the airfield into a civil airport, the hamlet of Heathrow was fully demolished to make way for the expansion. The need for a larger airport became apparent as air travel was expected to grow, and Croydon Aerodrome, London's previous primary airport, was becoming overcrowded.
The ancient hamlet, upon which the airport is now built, gave the airport its name. In 1966, London Airport was officially renamed Heathrow Airport to distinguish it from other airports serving London, such as Gatwick and Stansted. This new name was derived from the centuries-old hamlet, with Terminal 3 being the closest to where the hamlet once stood.
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Frequently asked questions
Heathrow Airport is named after the ancient hamlet of Heath Row, upon which the airport is built.
The airport was originally known as London Airport when it opened in 1946. It was renamed Heathrow Airport in 1966.
The name change occurred to distinguish it from other airports serving London, such as Gatwick and Stansted.
Yes, the airport was allegedly almost named 'Swintonfield' after the first Minister of Civil Aviation, Lord Swinton. There was also talk of renaming it after Sir Winston Churchill in the 1990s.
