Jobs in Crawley | Pictures of Crawley

Situated halfway between London and Brighton, Crawley is at the heart of the Gatwick Diamond - one of the most economically dynamic regions in the country. Unlike most so-called ‘new towns', Crawley has retained much of its former past with a number of listed buildings still prominent throughout the borough.

Having started life as a market town before evolving into a Victorian railway town, Crawley has now firmly established itself as a middle class suburban locale that has been kick-started into life as a result of a number of new retail and entertainment developments, and one that offers an affordable lifestyle that is attracting a growing number of people away from the capital.

Getting around Crawley
As the main town on the line linking the capital to the south coast resort of Brighton, Crawley is on the main service line from London Victoria, with regular train services into the main station from Gatwick Airport , Croydon, Tunbridge Wells, Horsham, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Portsmouth and Southampton . Three Bridges has direct links with Brighton .

Congestion affects Crawley as much as anywhere else, with over 35,000 vehicles entering the town during peak hour every day. But being a ‘new town' the infrastructure is more efficient here than in most places whose streets were mapped out long before the invention of the automobile. There are Park & Ride schemes operating at Horsham to the west and Horley from the north, whilst the Council also promotes a county-wide car share scheme.

Metrobus is the main bus service provider operating routes throughout the borough into the town centre, with the bus station directly opposite the train station. Whereas the relatively new Fastway bus service links Crawley with Gatwick Airport – the first rapid transit bus system to be constructed outside a major city.

Eating, drinking and shopping in Crawley
Crawley has always had a significant shopping offering, even before the new town planners moved into the area in the late 1940s, with most found along the High Street. Today, the High Street retains some of the charms of an historic shopping centre, whilst the Crawly County Mall - probably the largest shopping centre between Croydon and Brighton - offers all that you would expect from a modern shopping centre, home to Debenhams, Laura Ashley, BHS and River Island.

Elsewhere, the Queen Square complements the County Mall with a further range of leading retailers as well as the obligatory collection of coffee shops that seem to be appearing on almost every street corner. And in next 5 to10 years, Crawley 's shopping experience will be transformed by a new town centre with John Lewis, M&S and Towns Square .

When it comes to eating out Crawley may not be inundated with a wide variety of eateries but, it has a good atmosphere. Most of the diners you find here have a good ambience and on the whole some well-to-do traditional grub. If you're not one for classy bars then it's worth keeping in mind that this is a good town for food that you recognize at affordable prices.

Along the High Street are numerous pubs and restaurants featuring typical English pubs and bars, Italian chains like Pizza Express and Bella Italia plus a handful of curry houses, Mexican and take-aways – perfect after a Friday night out after the pub. Whilst Crawley Leisure Park is home to a significant number of national chains such as Pizza Hut, Nandos and TGI Fridays. And it is here that you will find a 15-screen cinema and bowling alley.

But if you are simply looking for a place to enjoy a few pints after work or during the weekend in the town centre, then head to the High Street, the Green and Old Brighton Road areas for the best places to choose from. And when last orders are called and you still have room for a few more drinks, Ikon and Diva are the main nightclubs in Crawley with a 1,000 and 700 capacity respectively.

For a more sobering night out, The Hawth theatres and amphitheatre run performances throughout the year along with a number of exhibitions, workshops and community events.

When it comes to the weekend, Crawley Museum in Goffs Park and Outwood Windmill, Britain 's oldest working windmill built in 1665 by Thomas Budgen are worth a visit.

Crawley has three leisure centres open to the general public with K2 being the newest and the one offering the greatest range of sporting activities, from swimming and wall-climbing, to a state-of-the-art fitness centre and astro-turfs for football and hockey. Whereas Virgin Active is one of the main private health and fitness clubs in the area.

Main residential areas
With property prices in Crawley one of the lowest in the South East, the town is fast-becoming a fashionable alternative to live for those people that work in London but are keen to get on the property ladder, having been out-priced by the increasingly expensive prices in the capital.

Whereas it may be unfair to liken Crawley with the likes of Richmond, Kingston or Horsham, the town has a unique identity of its own and thriving cosmopolitan and modern culture. And the results of a recent survey placed Crawley as the 10th most recession-proof town in the UK .

Work is ongoing to regenerate areas like Langley Green, Maidenbower and Three Bridges as many amenity points are being developed like public parks, playgrounds, schools, shopping centre and most importantly new residential areas.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Crawley.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Crawley below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Crawley or find out more information on the local area.