Crawley

Crawley is a town and borough in West Sussex, England, about 28 miles south of London and 20 miles north of Brighton. It lies within the Gatwick Diamond economic area and sits adjacent to Gatwick Airport.

The town originated as a small collection of villages and was designated as a new town in 1947 to accommodate overspill housing for London. It expanded rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s with new housing estates, industrial parks, and retail development, notably the Manor Royal business area and the County Mall shopping centre.

The borough covers a mix of residential neighbourhoods, including the town center, and surrounding parishes. The population is diverse, with a range of age groups and communities. Crawley Borough Council provides local government services to the town and surrounding areas.

Transport links are strong: the A23 road runs through the town, linking London to the south coast, and Crawley is served by a railway station with services to London, Gatwick Airport, and Brighton. Gatwick Airport lies just to the north, contributing to employment and connectivity. The economy is anchored by Manor Royal, one of the largest business parks in the southeast, housing technology, distribution, and service companies. In addition to business and retail, Crawley offers cultural and leisure facilities such as Tilgate Park, the Tilgate Nature Centre, and the Hawth Theatre, along with the K2 leisure centre.