Entering through Heathrow

Can someone give me a sort of rundown of what to expect upon landing?  We're flying from Memphis -> Chicago -> Heathrow -> Leeds on Wednesday/Thursday.  I've gathered that we'll go through immigrations and customs at Heathrow since it's our point of entry, so what exactly happens?  De-board the plane, go through immigrations line, show visa, then what?  As far as customs, I guess is what I mean.  We're either going to have 2 or 3 checked suitcases.

From what I've read, it looks like we'll have to pick up our bags, take them through customs, then re-check them for our final flight?  Our layover is from 11am-1:45pm.  That's enough time to do it all, right?  We're also hoping to find and ATM to get some cash and pick up some plug adapters too, but I don't want to be pushing it too much time-wise.

And once we land in Leeds, is it pretty much de-board and be on your way?  Or is there additional immigration/customs stuff we'll have to go through?

It may have changed but if not I would expect a long walk from your plane to Immigration where you will be put in a "cattle pen" with all the other passengers from all over the world who arrive at the same time on other planes.
When you get through emmigration and if they don't send you back on the next plane you can go to baggage and then go through customs.
They have a sign at customs that says go this way if you have anything to declare and if not go straight out and then you can find your connecting flight.
In Leeds you get off the plane get your bags and your on your way.
I'm pretty sure there are ATM machines when you come out of customs at Heathrow.
Good Luck!

Thanks!  This is probably a dumb question, but how do I know if we have something to declare?  We're just bringing a laptop, clothes, toys (we have a toddler), and that sort of thing.

You declare anything that you are bringing into the country that is not part of your personal belongings and exceeds the limit that you are allowed to bring into the country.

Current allowances are:

One litre of spirits, two litres of wine and 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco), 60cc of perfume, 250cc of eau de toilette and £145 (about €183) worth of other goods including gifts and souvenirs.

If you have exceeded this amount of any of the items, then you will have to declare them.
I have flown into either Heathrow or Gatwick from the US and from Europe about 12 times with gifts and occasionally with alcohol and I have never declared anything at customs because I have always been within the allowed limit.

I would pick up the plug adapters before arrival in the UK simply because I think most of the adapters you'll find at Heathrow will be for countries other than the UK.  You can however find adapters at most grocery stores here.

I would pick up the plug adapters before arrival in the UK simply because I think most of the adapters you'll find at Heathrow will be for countries other than the UK.  You can however find adapters at most grocery stores here.

I actually picked up a several UK adaptors in a luggage store at Heathrow, just outside terminal 3.  I bought them because they were 3 pronged US plug adaptors, opposed to the 2 pronged ones I found in the states. 

Thanks everyone!  I can't find the adapters I need here in the US (I need a grounded US to UK one, and all they seem to have here are 2-prong ones).  But I've read that they're a lot easier to find over there, so I'm not too worried

It may have changed but if not I would expect a long walk from your plane to Immigration where you will be put in a "cattle pen" with all the other passengers from all over the world who arrive at the same time on other planes.
Good Luck!

Thats exactly how it is lol...I would have never thought to describe it like that.

Depending on your airline you will most likely arrive in either Heathrow Terminal 3 (US carriers) or Terminal 5 (British Airways).  I have only connected through once in Heathrow, so anyone else with more experience can correct me. 

If you are arriving Terminal 3 - keep your eyes peeled for "connecting flights" signs and follow those.  If in doubt just ask someone in a uniform which way to go.  It will seem like a long walk.  You will then go through immigration and show your visa.  After this you will need to catch a bus to a different terminal for UK domestic flights to leeds - probably terminal 1.  Don't worry as you really cannot get lost at this point, you are still under the control of the airport and will just be following everyone else to the shuttle buses.  You can't really get out to the main airport if you follow the flight connection signs. 

Once you get to the next terminal, you will have to go through security again - not the main security, but a separate security for connections.....but you will be subject to the same restrictions on liquids and stuff.  I am not sure how they treat Duty Free alcohol, so best to ask before you stock up in Smirnoff   Unlike the US, you shouldn't have to pick up your luggage and go through customs. 

CAVEAT - th above was how it work for me, but I was travelling on one airline the entire way my bags were checked through all the way to my final destination.  If you are travelling on different airlines for the international and UK pieces, you may have to go through Normal immigration, pick up suitcases, go through customs and then make your way to the other terminal and check in separately for your Leeds flight.

Adapters:
Brookstone or Sharper image usually sell a good "World Travel Converter" kit.  It will either be one large round converter where you can slide up or down the correct plug you need or a little kit with multiple attachments.  I have found these to be the most useful, as they work in the UK, Europe and when you start travelling back to the US with UK appliances they will work that way too.  They tend to be pricier - maybe $20 for one kit, but I have gotten so much use out of mine it's paid for itself over and over.

Beware there are thieves that are self-employed at Heathrow and benefit by people who have their minds on other things than their possessions.
If you get bumped by someone then look to see what is missing because bumping is one their distractions.
I realize this can happen anywhere but it usually happens when a person is away from their home turf.
Welcome to Britain!

Thanks for the detailed info and tips everyone!   Less than 24 hours till we fly