Gatwick Airport Hotels

Chartwell House, home to Blighty’s most famous statesman Winston Churchill, is just a stone’s throw away from Gatwick Airport. There are plenty of green spaces nearby - including St Leonard’s Forest, Weir Wood Reservoir, Denne Park and fabulous Box Hill – surprising for such a big urban conurbation and none of which are generally completely jam packed with people.

Gatwick Airport’s Top 10

Gatwick History

• 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey & Battlefield – Visit the site of England’s most famous battle, the 1066 Battle of Hastings, for a great historical experience
• 1066 Country – This place echoes England’s extraordinary past with a plethora of art, music, festivals, gardens and walks.
• Arundel Castle – This ancient castle in Gatwick was the family residence of the Duke of Norfolk for more than nine centuries.
• Bodiam Castle – Edward Dallingride built this castle in 1385 to impress friends and frighten enemies.
• Chichester Cathedral – Located in the heart of Chichester, this 900-year-old cathedral attracts visitors for its unique architecture spanning centuries.

Gatwick Art & Culture

• Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre – Set in the South Downs National Park, the museum showcases heritage of the South East.
• Farley Farm House Tours – Home to surrealists Lee Miller and Pensrose in 1949, this farm house is a contemporary art treasure.
• Fishbourne Roman Palace – Visitors can see Roman mosaic floors and the other Roman objects dating back to the 1st century AD.
• How We Lived Then Museum – Home to more than 100,000 exhibits with a fascinating gift shop at the entrance.
• Look and Sea – For a fascinating heritage exhibition, this can be an unforgettable experience in Gatwick.

Gatwick Shopping

• Crowley – This main shopping area has a range of shops with more than 90 high-street shops in the County Mall.
• Primark – About a 15-minute train ride from Gatwick, Primark in Croydon is the best place for cheap clothes rather than luxury.
• Dixons Travel – Discover the latest technology and entertainment-related gadgets for any purpose.
• Boots – Sells health and beauty products, and most stores have a pharmacy.
• Hamleys – Visit this shop for quality, innovative toys for children.

Gay & Lesbian Gatwick

• Bar 429 – Located in Harley, this bar has a wide space to dance and hobnob.
• Bedford Tavern – This quiet, gay-friendly mixed pub in Hove also offers a Brighton Seafront tour with Sunday lunch.
• Candy bar – This lesbian bar in Brighton offers good fun with a high-energy vibe.
• Brighton Tavern – Located in Brighton’s North Laine area, this is a lively pub with a welcoming atmosphere.
• Envy – Frequent cabaret and special nights are the added features of this small but smart club in Gatwick.

Gatwick Outdoors

• Farmyard Family Fun – It offers a great outing for children and families.
• Holmbush Farm – Children will love the indoor and outdoor activities, animal handling and daily goat racing.
• Brighton – Located 28 miles from Gatwick, this city is an excellent excursion with beaches, heritage buildings and eclectic boutique shops.
• Hever Castle – This place about half an hour from Gatwick is famous as the spot where Anne Boleyn, Henry the VIII’s wife, spent her childhood.
• Nymans – A fantastic destination for an experience with nature located about 24km from Gatwick Airport.

Gatwick Sport

• Head to Brighton’s on the Sea for surfing, swimming and boating.
• A walk around the Royal Pavilion in Gatwick is bound to raise your spirit.
• Go to Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest for cycling, walking or riding.
• For a fantastic Christmas outdoors, try skating at Somerset House.
• Go for serious sporting activity, from horseback riding to fishing to power kiting, at the Royal Park.

Gatwick Airport Events

Gatwick Fashion Week takes place at the airport concourse during August. If you think you’ve got what it takes, why not enter yourself in Gatwick Airport Runway Models competition?

South London is only a hop, skip and a jump away from Gatwick. Cheer on the British players at Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship held in June each year.

The Richmond Literary Festival is also easily accessible from Gatwick Airport. A great place for the literary minded to see and be seen.

The Richmond Business Expo is not far from Gatwick, and one for those who just can’t leave work behind them. Also in June.

Get your beer goggles on and head off from Gatwick Airport to the Sussex Beer Festival in Hove, which takes place in March and is run by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ales.

Fans of all things equestrian will enjoy the Carpetright British Jumping Derby held not far from Gatwick Airport at the Hickstead All England Jumping Course during the month of June.

The Crawley MELA is one of the biggest multi faith events in the South East of the UK. Family fun in bucket loads during the month of July and just a couple of miles from Gatwick Airport.

So long as you don’t have a phobia of clowns (more common than you think) then you will probably enjoy the Crawley Circus Festival during August, within easy access of Gatwick.

The Pride Parade & Park Event is one of the biggest and best in the UK – well worth the short trip to Brighton from Gatwick during August.

The West Sussex Food and Countryside Festival is an idea for a day out, should your visit to Gatwick be during October. Guided walks will allow you to get to know the area better.

Hollycombe Steam Rally is easily accessible from Gatwick airport and takes place in September.

When To Go

Outer London has a moderate but changeable climate – pretty much like the rest of the UK in fact, with June, July and August seeing the most sunshine.

Average summer temperatures of around 25 °C are to be expected, while during the winter, temperatures are generally above freezing, with snow not generally expected.

Rainfall can be expected at any time of year with the winter months being the wettest.

Getting There

Southern Railway run a service from Gatwick into London Victoria, with a journey time of around 35 minutes. The Gatwick Express offers an even quicker service into London Victoria Station at just 30 minutes. Travelling off peak will reap you the cheapest ticket prices – current price for a one way trip on the Gatwick Express is £16.90.

Gatwick is surrounded by some of the UK’s busiest motorways with the M23 and infamous M25 adjacent (or Road to Hell as it has been termed).

National Express travel into London and to all major cities in the UK – and at ticket prices starting at £2 you are wasting your time trying to find anything cheaper.

Gatwick Airport Rundown

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