Crawley tourist information
Located almost halfway between the capital and the coast Crawley has grown far beyond the design parameters laid down in the late ‘40’s (that’s the late 1940’s). Mostly due to the massive expansion of Gatwick Airport but also with a lot of encouragement from the Crawley Council.
Over the years the character of the town seems to have been eroded as the quest for more and more development is encouraged to support the ever demanding requirements of the councillors.
The major employment type in Crawley has moved from a light industrial base to an airport service base. In the 60’s many 1000’s trained in various engineering skills and office skills. Now there are very few trainee engineering posts and few reasonable office training positions available to school leavers. Local companies, encouraged by the various governments and shareholder desire for immediate profits, have stripped costs to the bone. Now they require trained staff (trained by others at another’s expense) and reduced jobs to the lowest possible level to keep wages at a minimum.
Crawley has more facilities for keeping fit than you could imagine. Many of the local hotels have a ‘fitness’ facility for both the guests and local members. Evening & day classes in many aerobic activities are held in community centres, evening institutes and schools.
These are your parks! The council are charged with maintaining them on your behalf, out of your council tax! Broadfield Park is already earmarked for redevelopment, the council cited lack of use!
Rathlin Road fields are being nibbled away with the creation of the new Crawley Town football stadium (the old one had to be abandoned when the Council needed to sell the land for development), the ‘storage facility for the Fastway contractors, and now the development of ‘affordable’ housing where the changing rooms and play-group area stood before a mysterious fire totally destroyed the entire structure.
Green space in Crawley is slowly being taken up for ‘essential’ ‘affordable’ housing!
The Memorial Garden, which is in the centre of the town, offers a slightly quieter haven to relax and rest the aching feet - weather permitting.
Goffs Park, is about 1/2 a mile from the Town Centre, I went fishing there once as a young boy, all I caught was a cold, I've never been fishing since! I also used to go sledding there, but that was in the winter and in the days when snow was white. Now the park offers wildlife ponds, a paddling pool, a putting green and pitch and putt course. On sunny summer Sundays the miniature steam train might be enjoyed together with the slap of leather against willow. Goffs Park is a peaceful park. Except when the Annual Spring festival takes place. Somehow this also seems to occur on sunny days.
Buchan Country Park - 170 acres of beautiful countryside on the western edge of town is owned and maintained by West Sussex County Council. Open 8am - 8pm in summer and 8am - 6pm in winter with car parking facilities it is less crowded and less commercial than Tilgate Park.
The attraction of Buchan Park is the peace and quiet. It offers a network of hard surfaced paths to explore the area, a visitor centre and toilets.
Tilgate Park, with over 400 acres of landscaped gardens, woodlands and lakes together with the nature centre offers something for everybody. A gentle stroll around the lake after a week in the office or hours on an aeroplane can be very therapeutic. For the more energetic try jogging or if, you are very energetic, running in the woodlands at the back of the park. There are some very good hills. If you are not that energetic just laze in the sun on the slopping grass above the lake, it is also near the pub.
In Tilgate Park can be found the Nature Centre, which is a member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. White Park cattle, wallabies and peacocks are a few of the species that may be seen here.
Tilgate Park is the home of the 'Proms in the Park' each year. Book early. The weather is usually good. Take a picnic, it is a great night out.
Crawley aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Crawley aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Crawley.
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