Tilgate Park occupies 260 acres on Crawley's southern fringe, covering woodland, a large lake, a walled garden, and the Tilgate Nature Centre. It is the best open space within the borough — worth a few hours if you are staying near Gatwick and want to move your legs somewhere other than an airport terminal.
The nature centre houses a small zoo-style collection of animals including meerkats, reptiles, and deer, aimed primarily at families with young children, with a modest entry charge. The park itself is free. The lake takes about 40 minutes to walk around; the woodland paths extend further south into Tilgate Forest for longer routes.
The walled garden at the north end of the park was once part of a Victorian estate and is now planted with ornamental borders. A café operates near the main car park off Titmus Drive. The park is about 2km south of Crawley town centre — manageable on foot or a short bus ride.