National Cycle Route 21 (NCR 21) runs directly through Gatwick’s South Terminal. This means you can plan your trip around two specific themes: the cycling route and the airport’s transport connections. The airport’s own history is another point of interest.
Cycling route and paths around Gatwick
NCR 21 runs from Greenwich in London via Horley and Crawley to Groombridge, Eastbourne and Pevensey. It meets NCR 20 in Crawley. The passage through the terminal is therefore part of a route connecting several places and continuing beyond Gatwick. Several footpaths also lead from nearby towns to London Gatwick and away from it. The cycling route and footpaths offer different ways to include Gatwick in a journey. As route infrastructure may change, check the current route before setting off.
Getting there and choosing accommodation
Direct trains from Gatwick Airport reach 120 railway stations; more than 700 others can be reached with a change. These figures distinguish direct connections from those requiring a change along the way. Bus and coach services connect Gatwick directly to more than 100 cities and towns in the United Kingdom throughout the year. For travel by car, Gatwick is directly connected to the M23 at Junction 9 and to the A23 London–Brighton. A free shuttle connects the two terminals in about two minutes. If your plans depend on a specific connection, check the latest timetables and service information, as network coverage and transport services can change.
If you are looking for a holiday rental in Gatwick, consider the accommodation’s exact location and which of the connections mentioned suits your plans. This lets you compare travel options against your own itinerary rather than relying on the place name alone. The cycling route can also be an additional factor when planning a trip by bike.
Aviation history and aviation museum
Gatwick Airport became an airfield in the 1930s. The Beehive Terminal was built in 1935 and is considered the world’s first circular terminal building. The terminal’s first scheduled flight was to Paris with Jersey Airways in 1936. The new Gatwick was officially opened by the Queen in 1958. These milestones show different aspects of the airport’s history: early aviation, distinctive terminal architecture and the start of scheduled air services.
The Gatwick Aviation Museum is near the airport and displays a wide range of aircraft and artefacts relating to the history of Britain’s aviation heritage. A viewing area near the runway offers a view of airport operations. The viewing opportunity may be affected by activity at the site; check the conditions before your visit. The museum’s historical exhibits and the chance to watch current air traffic thus offer different ways to engage with aviation.
Navigation and prayer rooms
The airport maps list, among other things, check-in areas, shops, restaurants, toilets and lifts. The information guides cover the terminals, car parks and railway station. These guides can help you identify the areas relevant to your trip when finding your way around.
There are chapels and prayer rooms in both the North and South Terminals. They are open 24 hours a day and welcome people of all faiths for private prayer and meditation; the chapels also provide space for services. As operational access details may change, check the latest information before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Walton-on-Thames, Albury, Worplesdon, East Horsley, Cobham, Buckland, Banstead, Bletchingley
For the main travel guide: Surrey.
