10 Best Things to Do in Crawley
Find Fun in This New Town
Crawley is a bustling new town that grew after the World War II boom and offers a wide variety of adventures and opportunities without the crowds of London. You can explore robust shopping malls and plenty of family-friendly fun with playgrounds and sports facilities.
Of course, adult entertainment is available at the local bingo hall. The green space in town is quite impressive as well, with multiple parks offering relaxing trails and vibrant flora and fauna to explore. You’ll find immaculately crafted gardens that are often accompanied by playgrounds for the little ones.
What are the best things to do in Crawley?
1. Tilgate Park
Explore nature in a preserved green space
Good for: Couples, Families, Food, Adventure
Tilgate Park is a lovely park where you’ll find a walled garden, a comprehensive nature center and a tree trail that shows off 30 different kinds of trees. The walled garden used to be a part of the Tilgate Estate, and it still retains much of its intricate landscaping for you to explore. Meanwhile, the nature center has more than 100 species of animals.
If you’re looking for a bit to eat, this park is home to the Lakeside Cafe as well as a separate cafe by the walled gardens where you’ll find sandwiches, beverages and ice cream. You can reach the park by heading about a mile and a half south from the town center.
Location: Tilgate Dr, Crawley RH10 5PQ, UK
Open: 24/7
Phone: +44 (0)1293 521168
Tilgate Park
2. Southern Pursuits
Experience outdoor adventure
Good for: Families, Adventure, Unusual
Southern Pursuits is an outdoor event center where you’ll find exciting things to do, including racing, shooting and even ax throwing. The racing takes on quite a few forms here, as you’ll find quad bikes, off-road karts and hovercrafts you can test your skills with.
The more aim-oriented activities aren’t limited solely to shooting and ax throwing. You’ll also be able to try your hand at the ancient art of archery. You can find it all a few miles east of the town center near Rowfant.
Location: Southern Pursuits, Turners Hill Rd, Crawley Down, Crawley RH10 4PE, UK
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5.30 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1293 611020
Southern Pursuits
3. Buchan Country Park
Visit with local wildlife
Good for: Families, Adventure
Buchan Country Park is known primarily for its wildlife population, but you’ll also find scenic walking paths and hidden artistic sculptures. Among the wildlife here, you’ll find several fascinating specimens, such as dragonflies, grass snakes, adders, nightjars, and great crested grebes.
The walking area is well-maintained and is open to visitors bringing their pups along for the experience. Don’t forget to check out the dog dip area of the pond that lets your dog enjoy a spot of bathing. You’ll find this park on the west side of town in Bewbush.
Location: Horsham Rd, Crawley RH11 9HQ, UK
Open: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1293 542088
Buchan Country Park
4. County Mall Shopping Center
Go for a spot of shopping
Good for: Families, Shoppers, Food
County Mall Shopping Center is a comprehensive mall with all sorts of shops where you’ll find fashion, books, furniture, electronics and food, among other offerings. You’ll find more than 90 different stores in total, and the mall also has a soft play area for kids.
The food offerings are more than you’d typically expect from a mall. You’ll find the standard food court, of course, but a handful of sit-down proper restaurants have made their home here as well. You can experience it for yourself in the town center just south of Memorial Gardens.
Location: Southgate Ave, Crawley RH10 1FG, UK
Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1293 611975
County Mall Shopping Center
5. Worth Park
Spend time around natural opulence
Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure
Worth Park is a protected green space that’s simultaneously extravagant and naturally alluring with vibrant greenery and an immaculate Victorian garden. On the east side of the park, you’ll find impressive landscaping with formal gardens that feature well-maintained walking paths and a fountain.
On the western side of the park, you’ll find woodland and a lake along with open grassy neighborhoods to explore. Don’t forget to check out the lawns as well for some croquet action. You’ll find this park about 2.5 miles northeast of the town center.
Location: Worth Park Ave, Crawley RH10 3DJ, UK
Open: 24/7
Phone: +44 (0)1293 438027
Worth Park
6. Cherry Lane Adventure Playground
Find family-friendly fun
Good for: Families, Adventure
Cherry Lane Adventure Playground is home to a variety of exciting activities, including a pool, sports neighborhoods, arts and crafts and play structures with a Wild West theme. No matter when you visit, you can enjoy the open outdoor neighborhoods, where you can embark on a miniature safari to see local wildlife like birds and small mammals.
Certain times of the year host special events, including days that have inflatable bouncing attractions and others with organized soccer games. Be sure to check their calendar before going to see what kind of adventure you and the little ones can expect. You’ll find this playground on the northern edge of Langley Green.
Location: Cherry Ln, Crawley RH11 7NX, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1293 541635
Cherry Lane Adventure Playground
7. K2 Crawley
Enjoy recreation and leisure
Good for: Families, Adventure
K2 Crawley is a recreational center that features numerous facilities suitable for fun exercise and sports along with a few relaxation neighborhoods. Among the activities, you’ll find an Olympic-size bathing pool, a climbing wall and a running track. A lawn bowling court and trampolines are present as well.
If you’re looking to relax, be sure to visit the sauna and steam room or the hairdresser. You’ll even find an osteopath clinic onsite that you can visit. The facility is located on the southwestern edge of Tilgate by the expressway.
Location: Pease Pottage Hill, Crawley RH11 9BQ, UK
Open: Monday–Wednesday from 6 am to 10 pm (closed Thursday–Sunday)
Phone: +44 (0)1293 585300
K2 Crawley
8. The Hawth
See a show
Good for: Families, Nightlife
The Hawth is a local theater offering diverse programs of arts and performance where you can see dancers, musicians, plays and movies. You’ll find more than 350 performances held each year, including national touring acts and local productions. The productions held here can vary quite a bit even within each type of performance.
For example, musical performances cover several genres, including blues, jazz and folk, while acting performances can feature dramas, comedies and children’s plays. You’ll find this theater just a few steps east from Southgate Park.
Location: Hawth Ave, Crawley RH10 6YZ, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1293 553636
The Hawth
9. Ifield Mill Pond and Bewbush Water Gardens
Visit a site of nature conservation
Good for: Couples, Families, History, Adventure
Ifield Mill Pond and Bewbush Water Gardens is a protected green space that’s home to its iconic pond as well as several walking paths and diversity of life. If you’re interested in the local flora and fauna, you’ll find a diverse selection of specimens, including plants like water mint alongside animals like mute swans. Don’t forget to check out the Watermill when it’s open to get some valuable insight into local history.
Visitors often enjoy a walk around the pond, which offers the choice of a 30-minute loop or a 60-minute walk past the mill. You’ll find this park about a mile west of the town center, in between Bewbush and Ifield West.
Location: RH10, Waterfield Gardens, Crawley RH11 6BQ, UK
Open: 24/7
Ifield Mill Pond and Bewbush Water Gardens
10. Buzz Bingo Crawley
Play games like bingo
Good for: Nightlife
Buzz Bingo Crawley is an entertainment center that primarily hosts bingo games but also includes live entertainment, slot machines and electronic games. This establishment is designed for adept players and newcomers alike, so the staff will help you if you ever stumble, no matter what game you’re playing.
In addition to bingo, you’ll find roulette, blackjack and games played alongside a live show, like spin-a-wheel and hi-lo club. You can explore all this establishment has to offer near the town center, just north of the Memorial Gardens.
Location: Unit 2, Kingsgate, Queensway, Crawley RH10 1EN, UK
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1293 533366
Buzz Bingo Crawley
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