Crawley, United Kingdom
Region: West Sussex
Geographic Coordinates: 51.109200, -0.187200
Temperature Range: -5.0°C to 30.0°C (23°F to 86°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 106597
Language: English
Crawley is a town located in the southern part of England, United Kingdom. It is situated in the county of West Sussex and has a population of around 110, 000 people. The town was originally a small market town but has since expanded into a bustling residential and commercial area. One of the key features of Crawley is its excellent transport links. It is located just south of London Gatwick Airport, Which serves as one of the main international airports for London. This makes it an ideal location for businesses that require easy access to global markets.
Crawley also boasts excellent rail connections with direct trains to London Victoria and London Bridge stations taking less than an hour. The M23 motorway runs through Crawley providing easy access to other parts of the country. The town centre has undergone significant development in recent years with new shops, Restaurants and leisure facilities being added regularly. There are two shopping centres in Crawley – County Mall and The Broadwalk – both offering a wide range of high street brands alongside independent retailers.
For those interested in history, Crawley has several notable landmarks including St John’s Church which dates back to the 13th century and Tilgate Park which was once home to Tilgate Mansion built in 1782 by Sir Charles Goring. Crawley also offers plenty for nature lovers with several parks including Tilgate Park mentioned above along with Ifield Mill Pond Nature Reserve which provides habitat for waterfowl such as ducks, Swans and geese as well as other wildlife like otters and kingfishers.
In terms of education, There are several primary schools within Crawley along with secondary schools such as Thomas Bennett Community College and Holy Trinity School. There are also higher education institutions nearby including Sussex University just north-east from Brighton about half an hour away by car or train ride from Crawly center Overall, Crawley is an exciting and diverse town with a lot to offer both residents and visitors. Its excellent transport links, Range of shopping and leisure facilities, Rich history and beautiful parks make it a great place to live or visit.
- Tilgate Park
- Crawley Museum
- Hawth Theatre
- St Nicholas’ Church
- County Mall Shopping Centre
- Crawley Town Football Club
- K2 Leisure Centre
- Buchan Country Park
- Ifield Water Mill and Nature Reserve
- Worth St Mary’s Church
Industries in Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom
- Aviation
- Gatwick Airport – the second busiest airport in the UK
- Manufacturing
- Thales Group
- Elekta Ltd.
- Edwards Vacuum
- Doosan Babcock
- Retail
- County Mall Shopping Centre
- Broadfield Retail Park
- Healthcare
- East Surrey Hospital
- Crawley Hospital
- Business Services
- Deloitte LLP
- BDO LLP
- Technology & Innovation
- Manor Royal Business District (innovation centre)
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Arora Hotel
- Sofitel London Gatwick
- The town was established as a new town in 1947 to accommodate people displaced by World War II.
- The Gatwick Airport, one of the busiest airports in Europe, is located in Crawley.
- The first mosque in the UK was built in Crawley in 1969.
- Notable people who were born or raised in Crawley include singer-songwriter Conor Maynard, actor Tom Holland, and footballer Gareth Southgate.
- In 2016, Crawley was named as one of the happiest places to live in the UK by Rightmove.
- The Hawth Theatre is a popular performing arts venue that has hosted many famous acts over the years including comedians Lee Evans and Michael McIntyre.
- In 1984, a bomb exploded at a hotel near Gatwick Airport killing five people and injuring many others. This incident is known as the Grand Hotel bombing and was carried out by members of the Provisional IRA.
- Tilgate Park is a popular attraction that features a nature reserve, lake, gardens and an adventure playground for children.
- Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visited Crawley on several occasions during her time in office including opening an extension to Manor Royal Business Park.
- The K2 Leisure Centre located on Pease Pottage Hill has been used for training by several Olympic athletes including Mo Farah and Usain Bolt before London Olympics 2012.
- Crawley Museum showcases the history of Crawley and its surrounding areas.
- Tilgate Nature Centre is a zoo with over 500 animals, including rare and endangered species.
- Hawth Theatre is a performing arts venue that hosts plays, musicals, comedy shows, and concerts.
- St. John the Baptist Church is a historic church dating back to the 13th century with beautiful stained-glass windows.
- Worth Park Gardens is a stunning Victorian garden with ornamental lakes, fountains, and flower beds.
- Ifield Water Mill is an 18th-century water mill that has been restored to working order and is open to visitors.
- Buchan Country Park is a nature reserve with woodland walks, picnic areas, and stunning views of the Sussex countryside.
- The Capitol Horsham – A theatre in nearby Horsham that offers live performances including music concerts or stand-up comedy acts.
- Gatwick Aviation Museum showcases British aviation history from World War II through present-day commercial airlines.
- Nymans Garden- A beautiful National Trust property located in nearby Handcross featuring gardens filled with exotic plants from around the world.
- Crawley Town Football Club was founded in 1896 and currently competes in the National League, which is the fifth tier of English football. They have won numerous non-league titles and have made it to the fifth round of the FA Cup twice.
- Crawley Wasps Ladies Football Club was established in 1991 and presently competes in the FA Women’s National League South East Division One. The team has won several county cups and league titles.
- Crawley Jets Basketball Club was formed in 2014 and participates in various regional leagues throughout southern England.
- Crawley Cricket Club was founded back in 1948, with teams for both men and women competing at different levels of competition.
- K2 Volleyball Club Crawley came into existence in 2007 and takes part at various levels, including national competitions.
- Gatwick Flyers Trampoline Club operates from K2 Leisure Centre where they train athletes ranging from beginners to international level performers.
- Sussex Thunder American Football Team is a semi-professional team that hails from Brighton but trains at K2 Leisure Centre during their season (April-September).
- Crawley Festival is a week-long celebration held every summer, featuring music, dance, drama and art.
- The Crawley Mela is a multicultural festival that showcases the diversity of the town through food, entertainment and music.
- The St George’s Day Parade is an annual parade to celebrate England’s patron saint with colourful floats and marching bands.
- Oktoberfest Crawley is a German-themed beer festival with traditional food and drink accompanied by live music.
- The Christmas Lights Switch-On event marks the start of the festive season with carol singing, live performances and fireworks.
- Chinese New Year Celebrations are an annual event featuring dragon dances, martial arts displays and traditional Chinese cuisine.
- Diwali Celebrations are held in October or November to celebrate the Hindu festival of lights with fireworks, cultural performances and food stalls.
- Easter Fun Day is an event for families which includes Easter egg hunts, face painting as well as crafts and games activities.
- Summer Solstice Celebration at Tilgate Park – A celebration marking the longest day of summer including storytelling around campfires.
- Crawley Irish Festival – An annual celebration showcasing Irish culture through music, dance, food and drink.
- The Griffin Inn – a traditional English pub serving classic dishes like fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and Sunday roast.
- Gurkha Kitchen – a Nepalese restaurant offering authentic dishes like momos (dumplings), curries, and tandoori specialties.
- Zari Restaurant – an Indian restaurant known for its flavorful biryanis, tandoori meats, and vegetarian options.
- The Brewery Shades – a gastropub featuring locally sourced ingredients in their modern British cuisine menu.
- Il Sorriso Italian Restaurant – an Italian restaurant serving homemade pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and seafood specialties.
- Nandos Crawley Leisure Park – a South African chain known for its peri-peri chicken dishes served with sides like fries or rice.
- Giggling Squid Crawley – A chain Thai eatery that serves up spicy curries & stir-frys in colourful surroundings with booths & low lighting.
- The George Hotel Bar & Grill – A bar that is part of the Hilton hotel chain that offers burgers, steaks, salads, etc.
- Tilgate Park is a large park that offers visitors a chance to enjoy nature trails, playgrounds, and even play golf. It also has a beautiful lake.
- Buchan Country Park is an excellent option for those who want to explore nature and take in the scenery. It’s a nature reserve with walking trails and picnic areas.
- Goffs Park is another popular park in the area that offers sports facilities, playgrounds, and gardens for visitors to enjoy.
- Ifield Watermill is an historic watermill that has been transformed into a museum and visitor center where you can learn about the history of Crawley.
- K2 Leisure Centre is an indoor sports complex that offers visitors access to swimming pools, gym facilities, and fitness classes.
- Hawth Theatre provides entertainment options for those interested in concerts, plays or other events held here throughout the year.
- Crawley Museum Centre showcases Crawley’s rich history through its exhibits.
- Broadfield Stadium is home to Crawley Town FC football team which makes it perfect for football fans.
- Worth Way offers visitors 7 miles of footpath along the former railway line from Three Bridges to East Grinstead.
- Crawley Memorial Gardens are peaceful gardens dedicated to honoring those who lost their lives in World War I & II.
