Located 28 miles south of London, this West Sussex town grew from a small market community into a planned new town in 1947. Home to Gatwick Airport and several tech companies.
Crawley sits 28 miles south of London in West Sussex. You can spend your days walking through the 162-hectare Tilgate Park's woodland trails, swimming in the Olympic-sized pool at K2 Leisure Centre, or watching performances at The Hawth Theatre. The town's location next to Gatwick Airport and its direct rail links to London and Brighton make it convenient for exploring southeastern England.
Exploring Tilgate Park
Tilgate Park's 162 hectares include woodland paths and several lakes where you can rent kayaks and paddle boards at the waterfront. Take guided rowing trips across the water, walk through the walled garden, or follow the nature trails. Children and adults can climb through the tree canopy at Go Ape, which has three rope courses at different difficulty levels.
Recreation at K2 Leisure Centre
K2 Leisure Centre contains the only Olympic-sized swimming pool in South East England. You can test your skills on the 12-meter climbing wall, use the athletics track built to international competition standards, or join one of the many fitness classes that run throughout the week.
Shopping and Entertainment
County Mall dominates central Crawley with major retail chains and independent shops. The complex includes a bowling alley and multiplex cinema. Walk the surrounding streets to find independent retailers and cafes.
Arts and Culture
The Hawth Theatre's program includes touring West End productions and local comedy shows. Crawley Museum tells the story of the area through exhibits spanning from the Stone Age to 1947, when Crawley became a new town. The collection includes tools and items from local iron-working workshops and traditional craft displays.
Town Layout and Neighborhoods
Crawley's 14 neighborhoods function like individual village communities, each with its own shops and community facilities. Main roads and railway lines mark the boundaries between these areas. The original market town center remains at Crawley's core, though most medieval buildings became part of the new town development.
Historical Buildings
St Nicholas' Church contains Saxon architecture over 1000 years old, making it one of Sussex's best-preserved Saxon churches. The George Hotel dates from 1615 and continues to welcome guests. At Ifield Water Mill, you can see the working waterwheel and milling machinery in action, demonstrating the town's industrial past.