Somewhere close to Gatwick airport

[Bababababab]

We are going to be traveling from Gatwick airport early morning and will be staying overnight at a hotel the night before. Planning to travel at lunch time when our youngest has his nap. Where would you recommend to go to pass a couple of hours with a 5 and 2 yo? A playground or nice village or something nice to do, then ideally somewhere to have dinner? Ideally within 20mins of the airport (we will be travelling via the m1 and then m25).

There's a massive lovely park in Crawley (sorry not sure of the name but it's the one which has the Go Ape). That would be a nice few hours run about with kids.

Tilgate Park. Just googled it.

Godstone Farm ideal for children that age. Not far from junction 6 M25/M23 interchange. Tailgate Park nice but further south than Gatwick down M23.

I live in Crawley and agree with Tilgate park as an option. It has a playground, lots of green space, a walled garden and a nature centre which is quite big and reasonably priced. It's a bit hilly in places but lots of benches and the path is fine for a buggy if you're bringing one.

You could consider the British Wildlife Centre

britishwildlifecentre.co.uk/

Closer to 30m than 20 but Hobbledown is a lovely farm park in Epsom with a soft play, great for a few hours and loads to do at that age.

Oxted also nice…small town off junction 6 M25. Lots of restaurants and a park with playground (Master Park).

Steer clear of British Wildlife Centre imo. Sorry!

Definitely Tilgate Park! There is a little zoo type thing which is decent, but there's plenty to keep the small people occupied in the wider park without paying to go into the zoo.

Sorry yes, nature centre. Not zoo. tilgatenaturecentre.wordpress.com/

Another vote for Tilgate Park here

What's wrong with it please @user1469796848?

Tilgate Park

Thank you. Interested to know what's wrong with the British wildlife centre too.

I think we went in early 2021 and it was fine / good. What have people got against it?

I like the British wildlife centre

I love the British Wildlife Centre...

Goldstone farm.

Really good soft play, animals, play areas.

I used to live nearby.

Fishers farm is great (30 mins away). We also like leonardslee gardens or pooh corner. Closer you have the wings museum, a couple of soft plays (we prefer the treasure chest) , tilgate or Buchan park.
To eat the air balloon in Horley has soft play on site. The dog and duck in outdoor has a children's area and the food is good.

I stand to be corrected if it’s changed recently. I last went to the British Wildlife Centre two years ago and had been before that too. It looked a little neglected…tired animal enclosures, a few of them closed, tired cafe, didn’t see many animals, not many staff around to ask for info. Given that it didn’t seem value for money either but I know these businesses have high overheads etc. That’s my view for what it’s worth.

Tilgate is a lovely park :) We really enjoy going there. Wakehurst is another of our favourite local haunts.

I was going to suggest Wakehurst. There's a lovely natural play area there, as well as huge gardens.

Tilgate is also good - there is an eclectic mini zoo and a decent play area.

I like the British Wildlife Centre. The cafe isn't great but the otters make me forgive that.

The Discovery Walk at Priory Farm

Priory Farm

If your kids are like mine then Gatwick Aviation Museum is great - www.gamc.org.uk

Thank you for all your suggestions. So many to choose from. Maybe we need to do this again.