Wild Free Fun at Tilgate Park
What to do in Tilgate Park
There is everything from GoApe to Watersports (read that as pedalos or mini row boat hire) to an adventure playground, which is actually pretty good fun.
There is also the Tilgate Nature Centre which is pretty reasonably priced (it was approximately £30 for my family and you can come and go all day!) and you can see meerkats, reptiles, birds of prey and some pretty cool wild cats as well as your traditional farmyard animals - the pigs and goats are always a highlight when they're jumping over each other. Watching the condor hunt for it's food was pretty exciting too.
But, when trying to keep your spending down as we get close to the end of summer holidays, what else can you do at Tilgate Park in Crawley?
Tilgate Park Woods
The beautiful thing about Tilgate park is that once you've paid for parking, you don't actually need to spend another penny inside the park.
Pack your picnic, and you can spend the day in this beautiful woodlands and park for free, a refreshing change when most family days out can end up costing an arm and a leg.
Set in 400 acres, the park's natural landscape includes the nature centre, woodlands, lakes, gardens, lawns and the various activities you can enjoy (if you want to part with some cash of course).
We packed our picnic and headed out into the woods.
Ancient Woodland at Tilgate Park
There is a vast network of footpaths and trails that traverse through the beautiful woods, all of which are fairly accessible (there are compacted paths if you have a wheelchair - be prepared for a bumpy ride if you head into the woods deeper though), perfect for those who love to explore a wild woodland.
Once you head away from the main entrance, you'd be surprised how few people venture this far and can quickly find yourself in the peace and quiet of the ancient woodland.
With both a coniferous and broadleaf woodland environment, there is always something different to see and discover. From various species of birds to a plethora of mini beast hunts, Tilgate Park Woods offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with nature—and the best bit is that it's completely free!
Free Activities in Tilgate Park
While it may be easier for some to enjoy a stroll in the woods with nothing more than their imagination for entertainment, there are still plenty of activities that can be done without spending a penny at Tilgate Park.
Other activities that can be enjoyed for free in the park include den building, leaf rubbings, bird spotting, nature photography and even sketching. The possibilities are endless when it comes to finding fun and free things to do in Tilgate Park and if you need a hand with ideas, check back on our blog at Kids Adventurist for regular free activities.
Free Nature Bingo Download
At Kids Adventurist, we have put together a nature bingo scavenger hunt that you can download for free and taken on your next trip to Tilgate Park to help your mini adventurists keep entertained while exploring the park. This is a great opportunity to have a bit of fun in the woods but also subtly teach your children more about the natural world around them.
While we were on our own scavenger hunt recently, we could hear a baby owl calling in the distance but we couldn't quite pinpoint where it was. There really is some wild free fun to be had in Tilgate.
Can you find the World War 2 Trenches in Tilgate Park?
During World War Two, a group of wooden huts was built in a clearing on the edge of Tilgate Forest for use as a dormitory by the Canadian Air Force. If you enter the park from the K2 entrance, you'll notice the huts on the right hand side, which were rebuilt after the war, but you will find some great spaces to explore what appears to be the trenches the troops trained in, when you venture into the woods.
Children can spend hours in this part of the woodland, using their imagination to recreate battles or build their own dens and shelters or find a quiet space to read their favourite book under a giant redwood.
Map of Tilgate Park
Crawley council created this great little map to navigate your way around the park. Download it here for free.
How to Get to Tilgate Park
Getting here
Tilgate Park is located on Tilgate Drive, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 5PQ.
Metrobus service 2 runs to the park on weekends and Bank Holidays. Monday to Friday it stops at K2 Crawley, a 15 to 20 minute walk from Tilgate Park.
Car parking
Daytime charges apply in the main car park and the Fisherman’s car park. Prices and times can be found in Fees and Charges. New options to pay for parking are available via our paying for car parks page.
They do have some provision for disabled drivers, minibuses and coaches. A few extra spaces are also located next to the Nature Centre.
There is a 2.1m height restriction in all Tilgate Park car parks.
Tilgate Park for Wild Free Fun
Tilgate Park offers endless opportunities for wild, free fun.
From exploring the ancient woodland to discovering hidden trenches, there is something for everyone in this expansive park. With so many activities that can be enjoyed without spending a penny, Tilgate Park is the perfect place to spend a day with family or friends while staying within budget. So pack your picnic, download our nature bingo scavenger hunt, and head out into the beautiful woodlands of Tilgate Park for an unforgettable day of adventure and exploration.