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Quick Stay Near Gatwick

Hello! We fly into Gatwick at noon on Saturday, June 9 and then leave the next day at 3pm (the main purpose of this trip is to see Italy). Any suggested activities? We don't want to rent a car. We had originally thought to go into London but it is Trooping the Colour (so expensive and crowded). I was thinking of going to either Brighton (but I'm not sure how often the train runs on weekends) or staying around Crawley. I do enjoy natural areas and saw some suggestions about Tilgate Park or Nymans. Are taxis available in this area? How easy (or expensive) would it be to take a taxi to these parks from a hotel by the airport? Or is it better to try to get to Brighton?

(We're meeting some friends of ours that have recently moved to the UK (north of London) but we won't all fit in their car. Between the two families, there will be 5 kids (ages 5-10) so it would be nice to have some areas to run around and stretch our legs after a long flight from Colorado.) Thanks!!

Posted by
11294 posts

Use National Rail to find train schedules: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

I see that schedules for June 9 are not yet available, so I looked for a Saturday and Sunday in May. It turns out trains between Gatwick airport and Brighton aren't "frequent" - they're nearly constant, as in, every 5-10 minutes! It's also a fast trip, taking between 23 and 37 minutes. So, Brighton should be very easy. Whether it's what you want to see is a different question, and I've never been there so I can't help with that.

Posted by
15020 posts

Brighton is the terminus for the Thameslink train that stops at Gatwick. You have a direct shot from Gatwick to Brighton on the Thameslink line.

Posted by
33994 posts

You have a direct shot from Gatwick to Brighton on the Thameslink line.

and on the Southern.

Most of the trains will be Southern.

Nobody in London will notice the Trooping of the Colour is happening if they are not in Horseguards Parade, Whitehall, or the Mall.

Most places will be completely unaffected.

Nymans is beautiful in June. if you like gardens then you will be in your element. Not far from Gatwick. You know that there is an admission charge?

Yes, we have taxis, and there will be plenty available at Gatwick. They can be called at Nymans. Never heard of Tilgate Park.