Car Hire Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport Mini Guide

So Tell Me About Stansted
Stansted Airport, home to one of the highest control towers in the UK, has had many uses, from its beginnings as a bomber base for the RAF and American Air Forces to a major training station for fire fighters. It came to its current use in 1964 when it was taken over by BAA and became a vital passenger service airport for the south of England.

Shopping at Stansted
Stansted Airport is a veritable hot pot of retail options. It has excellent Duty Free facilities (World Duty Free) that carry a huge range of all the most popular items from the latest designer scents for him and her, high end liquors and cigars and plenty of those divine hand crafted luxury chocolates (you know the ones) and all items are deliciously tax free.

For accessories there is an Accessorize outlet at the airport where you’ll find all kinds of jewellery, stylish bags and scarves and if you don’t want your Blackberry to feel left out, a visit to the Add store is in order, carrying all imaginable accessories for technological gadgets you’ll be sure to find all the extras you’ve been searching for.

For footwear fanatics in search of the latest Jimmy Choo’s, a stop before security at the Kurt Geiger store should be at the top of your to do list and just in case you go overboard, pass by the Rolling Luggage outlet and pick up an extra suitcase from their excellent baggage range.

Travelling With The Family?
There are plenty of options for your little darlings (and you) to let off some steam at the airport. For older kids and the young at heart there are two Voyager Entertainment centres, one before and one after security. Packed with the best video and arcade games they make a welcome distraction and are sure to make your time pass more quickly.

For families with younger children there are both baby changing facilities and family rooms located throughout the terminal and in case you run out of any essentials, there is a Boots branch at the airport. If little tummies start rumbling there are good children’s menu options at the  Frankie & Benny’s chain and they’ll even throw in some colouring books and crayons with their kids meals. If none of that works to keep tantrums under control, you can always try the time honoured bribery method and swing by the airports Hamley’s toy store branch for a treat.

Feeling Peckish?
Well it won’t last long with so many good options available in the terminal. From tasty top of the range pub grub at Wetherspoon’s to the finest Caviar and Salmon at Caviar House & Prunier you’re sure to find something to hit the spot. For coffees choose from the usual suspects including Costa Cafe and Starbucks and for something a little different try Est Bar for perfectly prepared Italian coffees and a good selection of wines, draught and bottled beers if you feel like something a little stronger.         
   
Getting To Stansted Airport
When driving, the airport is easy to reach and it is well signposted, off the M11 Motorway. Just come off the motorway at junction 8a or Junction 8 depending on your approach. Or if you prefer to kick back and let someone else get you there be reassured that public transport links to Stansted are excellent so go on, as the song says and “take the National Express”.