Crawley is a both an English town and a borough in West Sussex and is part of Greater London. The name of the town is derived from the Angelo-Saxon phrase “crawe lea,” which means “crow infested clearing”.
The first written record from its history is from 1202, when King John granted the village to have a market each Wednesday. It was an important ironworking centre for the next 400 years, but the establishment of a turnpike road between London and Brighton in 1770 brought with it more residents and a whole industry for Crowley which was at the halfway point between the two.
In 1841, the Crawley railway station was established. It connected the towns of Three Bridges and East Grinstead in 1855, and by 1861, more than 25% of the population of Crawley worked for the railway in 1881, In 1898, several companies, including Christ’s Hospital, relocated to Crawley on a site next door to the railway station.
During World War II, the town was hit by 44 high explosives, three VI flying bombs (or Doodlebugs), 2,000 incendiaries, and seven oil bombs. More than 1,200 homes and businesses were seriously damaged and two dozen were destroyed entirely. Further, nine people died in the bombings while at least 78 people were injured.
After the war, the government enacted the New Towns Act 1946, which allowed the government to designate towns which had suffered the effects of World War II, primarily housing shortages. Crawley was chosen in 1947. New homes were built and new shops were established once the 1950s. These developments led to a population increase from about 9,500 to 51,000 or so in 15 years.
Crawley is the main centre of industry between the south coast and London, and includes service companies as well as industrial facilities with most of them having to do with the airport, and the economy continues to expand.
Recommended Resources
Crawley & Gatwick Chamber of Commerce
This website gives browsers an opportunity to join the Chamber of Commerce at the very beginning of the trip through the site, on the very first page. Inside, there is information about what the Chamber does as well as all sorts of benefits there are for those who join. There is a section devoted to upcoming events and another dedicated to news about the organization and members thereof.
https://crawleychamber.co.uk
The Borough Council hosts this site which lists information about Crawley and the surrounding area. Here one may find information about various neighborhoods, real time local news, and the Council. Additionally, the site provides a section which allows online payments of such things as Council taxes, green bins, licensing, and leasehold services.
http://www.crawley.gov.uk/
Conveys details about Crawley, beginning with a photo gallery of images around Crawley Centre and the surrounding area. The photos are listed alphabetically as well as in alphabetical order. There is a brief but far-reaching history of the area, and a directory of various categories including the Council and MP, library, and schools.
http://www.crawleyonline.net/
Introduces Da Vinci Bed & breakfast near the Gatwick Airport. The owners pride themselves on costing less than any other establishment in the area and the fact that guests automatically get free on-site parking. There are numerous photographs of each of the B&B is pet-friendly and vegan-friendly, offers self-catering, and has wifi and conference rooms as well as laundry.
https://www.davinci-guesthouse-gatwick.co.uk
Presents an estate and letting agency in business for more than 20 years. According to the website, they have earned a reputation for being reliable and providing quality service letting, selling, managing, and valuing Crawley properties. A database of properties for sale as well as for let as well as sections dedicated to tenant and landlords, and a section with opening hours and contact information.
http://www.deverehomes.co.uk/
Inspire Homes Estate Agency Ltd
Estate and letting agency lays out data about the team as well as photos of the homes they currently handle. Also shares the company's property database which contains properties for sale, properties recently sold, auction properties, properties to rent, and properties recently let. There is a free instant online valuation from the company.
https://www.inspireestates.co.uk
