- Crawley's transformation into a 'New Town' under the New Towns Act 1946 led to the creation of distinct neighborhoods, each designed with its own local community center and school.
- The town was a significant coaching stop on the route between London and Brighton, evidenced by the 15th-century George Hotel which still stands in the High Street.
- Crawley is home to the Manor Royal Business District, which is one of the largest and most significant industrial and logistics hubs in the South East of England.
- Despite its modern development, the town contains the Tilgate Estate, which was once a sprawling Victorian hunting and country park.
About Crawley
Crawley is a prominent town in West Sussex, defined by its strategic proximity to London Gatwick Airport and its unique status as a post-war 'New Town' that preserved historic remnants. The area blends modern residential and commercial expansion with extensive green spaces, such as the expansive trails of Buchan Country Park and the diverse flora found at High Beeches Gardens. Visitors often explore the town’s aviation heritage through collections like the Gatwick Aviation Museum or enjoy the extensive recreational facilities available at Tilgate Park. It serves as a significant hub for travel and industry in the South East of England.
Highlights of Crawley
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
Explore the ruins of a historic manor house surrounded by exotic woodland gardens.
Parks
Access extensive forest trails, a large lake, and dedicated nature discovery areas.
Zoos
Observe a diverse collection of animals and conservation programs within the park grounds.
Parks
Walk through miles of diverse woodland and heathland habitats ideal for wildlife spotting.
Amusement parks
Experience one of the UK's largest seasonal immersive horror attractions.
Museums
View a vast collection of aircraft, including unique historic prototypes and engines.
Museums
Discover a curated collection of aviation history focusing on wartime aircraft and artifacts.
Parks
Visit these restored historic gardens known for their rare plants and mature woodland.
Top things to do in Crawley
The 155 highest-rated places in Crawley, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Nymans is a globally significant 20th-century garden built around the romantic, skeletal ruins of a Gothic-revival manor...
2
Parks
Tilgate Park is a 400-acre public green space in Crawley featuring expansive woodland, multiple freshwater lakes, and a...
3
Places of interest
Standen House is a premier example of Arts and Crafts architecture, designed by Philip Webb for James Beale and complete...
4
Parks
Horsham Park is a 24-acre green space located in the heart of Horsham town center. The park features a diverse landscape...
5
Zoos
Tilgate Zoo is a compact wildlife conservation site located within the larger Tilgate Park in Crawley. The facility hous...
6
Parks
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is an Grade I-listed woodland garden estate in West Sussex notable for its successful colony...
7
Parks
Buchan Country Park is a 170-acre site comprising mixed woodland, heathland, and meadows located on the outskirts of Cra...
8
Amusement parks
Tulleys Shocktober Fest is an immersive horror-themed scream park located at Tulleys Farm in Crawley. The site transform...
9
Historical places
The Ouse Valley Viaduct, also known as the Balcombe Viaduct, is a mid-19th-century railway bridge spanning the Ouse Vall...
10
Parks
Borde Hill Garden is a Grade II* heritage-listed landscape surrounding a historic Tudor manor in West Sussex. The estate...
11
Parks
Ashdown Forest is a 6,500-acre ancient area of open heathland and woodland located within the High Weald Area of Outstan...
12
Museums
The Gatwick Aviation Museum houses an extensive collection of British aircraft spanning from the Second World War throug...
13
Parks
Warnham Local Nature Reserve is a 92-acre site centered around a large millpond, serving as a significant habitat for we...
14
Parks
Worth Park Gardens is a restored Victorian-era landscape located within the grounds of the former Worth Park estate in C...
15
Parks
Victoria Park in Haywards Heath serves as the town's primary central green space, featuring extensive sports facilities...
16
Historical places
Saint Hill Manor is a 18th-century country house located near East Grinstead, West Sussex, serving as the international...
17
Zoos
The Llama Park is a countryside attraction situated in the Ashdown Forest area, specializing in the keeping and educatio...
18
Museums
The Wings Aviation Museum is an independent, volunteer-run facility focused on aviation history, specifically the Second...
19
Temples
20
Parks
21
Parks
22
Temples
23
Parks
24
Museums
25
Temples
26
Temples
27
Places of interest
28
Venues
29
Places of interest
30
Temples
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Crawley on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Crawley
Late spring to early autumn, as the region's many parks and outdoor botanical gardens are at their peak during these warmer, drier months.
2-3 days
The town features an extensive local bus network and is highly walkable within the town center, though local trains and taxis are typically used to reach outlying parks.
Stay near the Town Centre for proximity to the train station and amenities, or in the Three Bridges area for excellent transport connectivity.
Mid-range; accommodation costs are often influenced by airport demand, but local activities and parks are largely affordable or free.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 155 curated attractions in and around Crawley, ranked by traveller ratings.
National Trust - Nymans is the highest-rated place to visit in Crawley right now.
The largest category is temples, with 90 places to explore.
Travellers also explore London, North Kensington, Manchester.
Explore more of United Kingdom
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
