Chiswick

I have lived in Chiswick, one of the many suburbs/areas within London. What do you expect to see there? there are a number of different Tube stops, but I cant understand what you are trying to see? Doesnt make sense to me. if you go to Chiswick, far better to stay the extra stops and get into the heart of London

Why not take a short taxi ride to Windsor? Pretty town to visit even if you do not go into the Castle. Plenty of places to eat and some good walks to stretch your legs between flights. http://www.windsor.gov.uk/

I agree with Brian - I don't think there is anything particularly special about the town of Chiswick. There is an interesting palladian house there (Chiswick House) if you are interested in architecture, but it is a bit of a walk from the tube station and I don't think it is worth tackling on a short layover. Personally, I'd probably just go into London. The Windsor suggestion is also a good idea.

All we really want to do is avoid spending the whole day in the airport. We hadn't intended to do any site seeing, we just want to have a nice lunch. Perhaps it's not worth it, I wish our lay over was either shorter or longer! Thanks to all, Cynthia

The lady asked how to get somewhere, not where to go or why not to go where she asked. Cynthia, I have no idea what Heathrow terminal you'll use, but this will solve your problem in short order: http://www.tubeplanner.com/

Chiswick is a great place - I too have lived there :0) But I agree with the others. If you're just looking for somewhere to chill outside heathrow rather than going into town there are loads of nice places. Chiswick has a couple of stops - have a good look at the tube map. District line is the main one, but piccadilly stops in certain places (Will vary with time of day as this is a prime commuter area). Note, when you venture back onto the tube system to go west back to heathrow there are some forks in tube lines with the same overall name and map colour. It's not difficult once you are aware of this potential confusion. Watch for pickpockets on the platforms and in the tubes.
S

Ed - hi Cynthia asked "Are their any other nearby towns that someone can suggest" So we were just trying to help out.

I do appreciate all of your advice!! Cynthia

Cynthia, Actually, there is something that meets your requirement of a cute little village with good British food near to Heathrow: the Ostrich at Colnbrook. http://www.theostrichcolnbrook.co.uk/ Colnbrook is a beautiful well-preserved village with medieval buildings about 5-10 minutes by taxi from Heathrow (check it out on Google Maps). The Ostrich is a "gastro pub" pub with good food, and we enjoyed it very much each time we visited. They have a range of local beers and a decent wine list. You could book a table through www.toptable.com, as it is popular and gets busy. I have lived in both Chiswick and Windsor. Chiswick is furthest away, though easier to do from Heathrow than Nigel suggests, as you have to know the trick: get off the Piccadilly line at Acton Town and take a taxi to any of the restaurants in Chiswick. Windsor is a taxi ride and is more expensive (further away from Heathrow than Colnbrook), but also charming and you can find good food there, and walk around the town. I agree with the others that you should simply check your bags through to Milan. Without them, it'll be 30-60 minutes from arrival to getting into a taxi or onto a train. You only need to be at the airport 2 hours ahead for a European flight, so be back at Heathrow for 3pm. That gives you about 3 hours. For my money, I'd have a slow lunch at the Ostrich... Mathew

Something like Colnbrook makes a lot of sense. Once you get a short distance off airport territory you are in the country, and the pub would be very English. Also close enough that you wont have to panic or fight traffic to get back

Not being panicked would be a very good thing! Thanks everyone!