Hotels near Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is Britain’s second-busiest airport, just a half-hour train journey south of London City Centre. Its proximity to the capital means you’ll find plenty of dining, drinking and entertainment nearby.
Kickstart your trip a day early and book a hotel near Gatwick Airport. You’ll be able to relax before your flight and explore everything London offers. Read our guide to find out more about staying near Gatwick Airport, including:
- Things to do near Gatwick Airport
- Gatwick Airport facilities
- Booking your Gatwick Airport hotel with Leonardo
Things to do near Gatwick Airport
Whether you’re exploring London or Gatwick village, there’s plenty to keep you entertained pre or post-flight.
Visit London City Centre
London City Centre is a popular tourist destination, offering many sightseeing attractions, immersive activities, restaurants, bars and pubs. It’s just a short train journey from Gatwick Airport. Here are some of the best things to do in London.
Shopping in London
Central London has some fantastic shopping spots to indulge in retail therapy, from vintage to high street. These include:
- The West End includes Bond Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Mount Street, Covent Garden and Burlington Arcade. You’ll find a variety of shops here, from designer goods and luxury jewellery to high-street stores and independent boutiques.
- The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is home to picturesque Notting Hill and the world-famous Portobello Road Market. Visit on Fridays and Saturdays for vintage and bric-a-brac shopping.
- Camden is known for its eclectic shopping scene, with Camden Market being a tourist hotspot. Browse over 1,000 stalls selling vintage and unique goods, open daily from 10 a.m.
Attractions and landmarks in London
London boasts many iconic landmarks, from St Paul’s Cathedral to Big Ben. Visit the South Bank area to enjoy attractions like the London Eye, SEA LIFE, the London Dungeon, and the National Theatre.
Elsewhere, bucket list attractions include the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. London has excellent public transport connections, and most attractions can be reached by tube, so you’ll find it easy to travel around.
Dining in London
From chic bars and family-friendly restaurants to classic English pubs, the dining scene in London is unmatched. Here are some of our top recommendations:
- Ping Pong
- Tank & Paddle
- Megan’s
- Bocca Bocca
- OctaGreen
- The Hole In The Wall
- Pasta Remoli
- Tattershall Castle
Explore Gatwick, Horley and Crawley
Horley and Crawley are the two towns nearest Gatwick Airport, offering plenty to do. Here are some of the things you can get up to:
Gatwick Aviation Museum
Gatwick Aviation Museum is a fantastic way to pass the time before your flight, just a 20-minute bus journey from Gatwick Airport.
The museum features a unique collection of aircraft and engines and a viewing area to watch the activity at Gatwick Airport. You can even climb on board the museum’s Avro Shackleton aircraft and full-size Robinson R22 helicopter to get a behind-the-scenes look at how things work.
Gatwick Escape Rooms
Gatwick Escape Rooms is a six-minute drive from the airport, perfect for some fun before your flight. There are six themed rooms, including murder mysteries and action-packed heists, each lasting an hour. With code-cracking and problem-solving tasks, it’s a fantastic way to bond with your family before your trip.
Crawley Town Centre
Crawley Town Centre is just a 10-minute drive or train journey from Gatwick Airport. You’ll find plenty of entertainment and places to eat, including:
- County Mall Shopping Centre
- Cineworld
- Crawley Library
- Crawley Leisure Park
- The ClubHouse Steak House
- Southgate Park
- The Hawth Theatre
- La Rusta
- KOKORO
- Royal Thai Taste
Gatwick Airport facilities
Gatwick Airport is a fantastic place to kill time before your flight, with a mix of shops, bars and restaurants.
Bars and restaurants at Gatwick Airport
In the North Terminal, get your coffee fix at Coffee-Bike, Costa, Starbucks, and Pret A Manger. If you want to grab food on the go, head to M&S Simply Food, Pure, Shake Shack, or Tortilla. Sit-down dining includes Juniper & Co, Pure, The Nicholas Culpeper, and The Red Lion.
If you’re flying from the South Terminal, you’ll find similar coffee options, where you can also pick up a snack or a quick meal. The terminal offers plenty of sit-down dining restaurants, including Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar, Itsu, Giraffe, Grain Store, Nando’s, and The Beehive.
Shopping at Gatwick Airport
Indulge in some retail therapy at Gatwick North or South Terminal, where you’ll find a mix of high-street and designer stores. Pick up last-minute holiday toiletries at Boots, or shop for holiday outfits at Accessorize and Fat Face. For new designer sunglasses, visit Ray-Ban or Sunglass Hut, then head to Bobbi Brown to top up your makeup collection.
Book your Gatwick Airport hotel with Leonardo
Whether you have an early flight or want to explore the area before your trip, book a stay near Gatwick Airport and get your travel off to the best start.
Are there hotels near London Gatwick?
There are plenty of hotels near London Gatwick Airport. Book a room at Leonardo Hotel London Croydon and enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep ahead of your flight. Stylish and modern, with a restaurant, bar and room service, it’s the perfect place to kickstart your holiday.
The hotel is conveniently located between Gatwick Airport and London City Centre, meaning you can stay entertained pre-flight without being too far from the airport. Trains from the nearby East Croydon station will take you to London in just 17 minutes, while Gatwick Airport can be reached in as little as 14 minutes.
Does the train go directly to London Gatwick?
London Gatwick has fantastic rail connections, so you’ll find it easy to travel from the North, Midlands or South.
If you’re staying at Leonardo Hotel London Croydon, Gatwick Airport is between 14 and 20 minutes away by train. From East Croydon station, hop on a Southern train to Gatwick Airport and enjoy a speedy journey.
Those travelling from London can take the Thameslink towards Brighton from London Bridge station. The journey takes just 29 minutes.