Crawley has Tilgate Park and Buchan Country Park on its edge, with gardens such as Nymans and Wakehurst and farm days out at Tulleys a short drive away.
Image: Go ApeHigh ropes, zip wires and treetop crossings in the woods of Tilgate Park, just off the M23 at Crawley. Older children and adults take on the Treetop Challenge, while younger ones can try the lower Treetop Adventure course.
Photo: Barry Shimmon, CC BY-SA 2.0Crawley's Green Flag park, with lakes, lawns, woodland bridleways and a walled garden, at its most colourful when the rhododendrons bloom in spring. Within the park are Tilgate Zoo, Go Ape, watersports on the lake, a free maze and lakeside cafés, so it easily fills a day.
Photo: Barry Shimmon, CC BY-SA 2.0170 acres of countryside run by West Sussex County Council on the south-west edge of Crawley. It is a good spot for a walk, a picnic or wildlife watching, with waymarked trails, a permanent orienteering course and sculptures to find.
Image: High Beeches Woodland & Water GardenA 27 acre woodland and water garden near Handcross in the High Weald, with a collection of rare, exotic and award-winning plants from many parts of the world. Paths wind through glades, meadow and water gardens, with bluebells in spring and spectacular colour in autumn.
Image: Tulleys Tulip FestA family farm near Turners Hill, growing since 1911 and now best known for its seasonal events, from the spring Tulip Festival to the Pumpkin Festival, Pumpkin Nights and Shocktober Fest scream park in autumn. Year round there are five themed escape rooms with a bar and lounge, and a tea room serving breakfasts, lunches and afternoon tea.
Image: Wings Aviation MuseumA volunteer-run Second World War aviation museum in a hangar-style building near Balcombe, close to Gatwick. It is packed with aero engines, cockpits, gun turrets, uniforms and personal stories, with displays on the Home Front, the Blitz, Bomber Command and D-Day.
Image: National TrustA romantic garden wrapped around a house that is part home and part dramatic ruin. Rare plant collections fill the garden, and beyond it ancient woodland leads down to a lake and cascades.
Image: Wakehurst (RBG Kew)Kew's wild botanic garden in the High Weald, home to the Millennium Seed Bank and big swathes of woodland, wetland and meadow. It suits a long family walk, and children's tickets are cheap.
Image: Huxley's Birds of Prey Centre and GardenA charity-run birds of prey centre behind Hilliers Garden Centre on the edge of Horsham, home to more than 80 birds including falcons, hawks, eagles and owls, plus a family of meerkats. Free flying displays run twice a day, with handler talks in between, all set in landscaped gardens.
Image: Borde Hill GardenA botanically rich garden of outdoor garden rooms and champion trees, set in Grade II* listed parkland with woodland walks and an adventure playground with a zip wire. Winter half-price entry makes it a good-value walk from November.
Worth Park Wanders is a guided walk of about an hour around Worth Park in Crawley, starting at Ridleys Court. Walks take place on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 10.30am, with a steady-pace route on the second Thursday and a longer, more demanding walk on the fourth. It suits families, couples and friends who want a gentle outdoor outing.
Image: County Mall Shopping CentreA free Halloween workshop at County Mall Shopping Centre in Crawley on 31 October 2026, where visitors can make their own trick or treat bag with an interactive witch. Booking is required and the event suits families and children. Check the event page for times.
Ariel Othellos present their annual SEND showcase at The Hawth in Crawley on 1 November 2026, with performances from the company. The event is presented by Ariel Drama Academies and suits families and anyone interested in theatre. Times are listed on the event page, and booking is recommended.
Image: The Hawth (Parkwood Theatres)The Hawth's 2026 family pantomime is Aladdin, with the magic lamp, the flying carpet and plenty of audience shouting. It runs through December with a relaxed and a signed performance.
Image: Pound Hill Infant AcademyPound Hill Infant Academy in Pound Hill is holding an open day on 25 November 2026 for families of children starting reception in 2027. Visitors can look around the school and decide whether it suits their family. Booking is required, and times are listed on the event page.
Image: Tulleys FarmTulleys bills its daytime festival as Europe's largest, with 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds to pick from by wheelbarrow. New for 2026 is the Pumpkin Valley, an area of giant pumpkin sculptures and ponds.
Image: Tulleys FarmThe after-dark version of the Tulleys festival, with lit-up pumpkin fields, two live music stages and a bar. It works as a date night or a night out with friends as much as a family trip.
Image: Tulleys FarmShocktober Fest runs at Tulleys Farm in Turners Hill from 17 to 31 October 2026, marking 30 years of the scream park. The event combines themed attractions with street food, bars, live music, DJs and live shows. It suits families, teenagers and groups looking for a Halloween night out, and booking is recommended.
Tulleys Christmas Light Festival runs at Tulleys Farm in Turners Hill from 1 November to 31 December 2026. Visitors walk through illuminated woodland displays, with live music on two stages, a Christmas Market, seasonal food and a 33 metre Observation Wheel. It suits families, couples and groups.
Image: Tulleys Tulip FestA family farm near Turners Hill, growing since 1911 and now best known for its seasonal events, from the spring Tulip Festival to the Pumpkin Festival, Pumpkin Nights and Shocktober Fest scream park in autumn. Year round there are five themed escape rooms with a bar and lounge, and a tea room serving breakfasts, lunches and afternoon tea.
Image: Wings Aviation MuseumA volunteer-run Second World War aviation museum in a hangar-style building near Balcombe, close to Gatwick. It is packed with aero engines, cockpits, gun turrets, uniforms and personal stories, with displays on the Home Front, the Blitz, Bomber Command and D-Day.
Image: National TrustA romantic garden wrapped around a house that is part home and part dramatic ruin. Rare plant collections fill the garden, and beyond it ancient woodland leads down to a lake and cascades.
Photo: Barry Shimmon, CC BY-SA 2.0Crawley's Green Flag park, with lakes, lawns, woodland bridleways and a walled garden, at its most colourful when the rhododendrons bloom in spring. Within the park are Tilgate Zoo, Go Ape, watersports on the lake, a free maze and lakeside cafés, so it easily fills a day.
Photo: Barry Shimmon, CC BY-SA 2.0170 acres of countryside run by West Sussex County Council on the south-west edge of Crawley. It is a good spot for a walk, a picnic or wildlife watching, with waymarked trails, a permanent orienteering course and sculptures to find.
