Crawley City Guide

Food options include traditional British and international cuisines like Indian and Italian. Vegetarian and vegan choices are common. Late-night food is mostly takeaways.

Nightlife mainly consists of pubs and a few nightclubs catering to locals.

Decent coffee scene with chains and independent cafes. Not known for specialty coffee.

Tipping is discretionary. Service charge may be included in restaurants. Round up taxi fares.

SIM cards from EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three are available at the airport and town centre shops. No ID needed for pay-as-you-go. eSIMs are increasingly supported.

Town is generally clean with regular waste management and good street cleanliness.

Limited 24/7 options; some gyms are 24/7 but few shops or pharmacies.

Large supermarkets stock international products; smaller stores are common. Typical hours are early morning to late evening, shorter on Sundays.

Card payments are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and public transport. Cash is rarely needed.

ATMs are easy to find at banks, supermarkets, and shopping centres. Major banks include Barclays, Lloyds, and NatWest. UK cards usually don't incur withdrawal fees; international cards might.

Local primary, secondary schools and Crawley College offer education mainly in English. International schools are limited nearby.

Crawley has a small nomad community. Most prefer London for meetups and co-living.

Excellent access to parks and woodland areas for outdoor activities.

Popular running routes in parks and along Worth Way, generally safe with good air quality.

Gyms vary from leisure centres to 24/7 budget options.

Tennis courts available at Crawley Lawn Tennis Club and K2 Crawley, with online booking.

Padel courts are rare or unavailable in Crawley.

Several yoga studios offer various classes, including drop-ins, with English-speaking instructors.

Multiple schools offer BJJ, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo with English-speaking instructors.

No ski resorts near Crawley. Indoor skiing centres are over an hour away.

Water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding available seasonally at Tilgate Park lake.

No suitable surfing spots nearby. The south coast offers small, inconsistent surf breaks.

No diving or snorkeling options nearby due to inland location and water conditions.

Crawley Hospital and nearby hospitals offer good public and private healthcare. Staff speak English. Pharmacies like Boots and Lloyds are widespread.

Tap water is safe to drink and meets high safety standards.

Several playgrounds, family cafes, and attractions like Tilgate Park and Go Ape support families.

Generally accepting environment with legal protections. Limited dedicated venues but safe spaces in mainstream places.

Many parks allow dogs and vet services are available. Some pet-friendly accommodation and restaurants exist.