Originally used as a flying school in the 1930s, Gatwick is now London's second largest airport and is located 53km south of the capital's centre, in Crawley, West Sussex. Each year Gatwick sends over 35 million passengers on their way to more than 200 destinations worldwide. Gatwick Airport has two terminals, the South and North terminals, which are both filled with restaurants and shops.
As well as playing host to the usual international operators, the airport is now servicing many low-cost airlines normally associated with Stansted and Luton airports and plenty of bargain flights leave Gatwick for a wide selection of European destinations. Gatwick boasts a number of quick rail links, including the non-stop Gatwick Express, which reaches London in just over 30 minutes.
The airport has numerous hotels located beside these terminals, and there are a large variety of accommodation options available within the local area.
Restaurants
Gatwick Airport's terminals both feature many family-friendly restaurants. These include well-known franchises such as Giraffe restaurant and Wetherspoon bar & restaurant, which are both located near airport security in the South terminal. If your flight departs from the North terminal and you are found wandering in the duty-free shopping zone, perhaps stop by Shake-a-hula to enjoy ground coffee, hot dogs, and a wide range of milkshakes and fresh fruit smoothies.
Gatwick Airport Hotels
In addition to the numerous hotels at the airport itself, there are many other hotels, inns and hostels located in towns such as Horsham, Horley, and Crawley, which are all en route to Gatwick Airport. For weary travellers who want to hop off a flight and flop straight into bed, there are several Gatwick hotels connected to the terminal buildings, including one offering Japanese-style "capsule" rooms just a short walk from the south terminal's check-in desks. Gatwick Airport accommodation ranges from luxurious airport hotels to youth hostels, family-friendly hotels and bed and breakfast inns, which makes it very easy to find accommodation that meets your needs.
Top Locations near Gatwick Airport
Pure Tech Racing: Located
on Brighton Road in Horley, only a mile from Gatwick Airport. Enjoy a
great afternoon at this indoor Formula 1 Racing Simulation Centre.
Tilgate
Park: Located 11.4 miles from Gatwick Airport in the nearby town of
Crawley. Spend a lovely afternoon outdoors, exploring beautiful lakes
and gardens.
The Capitol Theatre & Cinema: Enjoy a lovely
afternoon or night out at the Capital Theatre, which includes located in
Horsham, only 30 minutes away from Gatwick Airport.