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Crawley is a town and borough on the northeastern part of West Sussex, England. It is about 45 km (28 mi) to the south of Charing Cross, London, and 51 km (32 mi) from the West Sussex county town of Chichester. Covering 44.96 sq km (17.36 sq mi), it has a population of 108,000 people (2012 estimate). At the edge of town is Gatwick Airport.
Crawley, West Sussex, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crawley_Housing_-_Victorian_Housing_in_Malthouse_Road,_Southgate.JPGAuthor: The Voice of Hassocks
Archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of human activity in the area around Crawley going back to the prehistoric age. There are burial mounds from the Neolithic period and an ancient sword from the Bronze Age.
The name Crawley dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period, to around the 5th century AD. It's name is derived from "crow's leah", meaning a clearing teeming with crows. Its spelling evolved over the centuries, arriving at its present form in the 14th century. Strangely it was not listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, though nearby settlements such as Ifield and Worth were. The first written mention of Crawley was in 1202, on a market charter granted by King John, permitting it to hold a weekly market on Wednesday.
St Nicholas' Church, Worth, Crawley: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Nicholas_Church,_Worth,_West_Sussex_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1821297.jpgAuthor: Richard Rogerson
Located approximately midway between London and Brighton worked to Crawley's advantage, helping it develop as a stopover point for stagecoaches. And when Brighton became a popular seaside resort, it helped Crawley develop as well.
Today Crawley has evolved from a manufacturing town to one based on services. It is the headquarters for a number of companies including Virgin Atlantic Airways, Western Geco, Astraeus Airlines and others. Retailers operating in Crawley include Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Boots, and WH Smith.
Tilgate Park, Crawley: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tilgate_Park_-_geograph.org.uk_-_402751.jpgAuthor: Elliott Simpson
Visiting Crawley
From London, take the A23 road southwards till you arrive in Crawley.Places of Interest in Crawley
- St John the Baptist's Church: Oldest church in Crawley, dating to the 13th century.
- St Margaret's Church, Ifield: Anglican church dating to the 13th century. It is today a Grade I listed building of architectural and historical importance.
- St Michael and All Angels Church: Church built in 1867 in the depopulated former village of Lowfield Heath. It is today a Grade II* listed heritage building.
- St Nicholas' Church, Worth: Anglican parish church in Worth, a village in Crawley.
- Tilgate Park: Large park, originally covering 2,185 acres in Tilgate, on the southeast of Crawley.
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