Most people will have heard of Gatwick, as it is host the UK's second largest airport.  More than 32.6 million passengers passed though in 2005 on their way to around 200 destinations.

If you are looking for a hotel and cannot get one in Gatwick itself then Crawley is probably you best option.

The airport is used by many 'package deal' holiday operators due to restrictions at Heathrow on that type of traffic.

Between 1241 and the 19th centuary, Gatwick was the name of a manor, where the airport is situated today.  The manor was later converted into a racecourse in 1890 and this lasted until 1930s.  Indeed during World War I, the racecourse was used for the prestigous Grand National.

In 1930 the Surrey Aero Club started business on the racecourse, allowing people to fly to the races there.  In 1933 investors brought the racecourse and applied to turn it into a full airport.  By 1936  scheduled flights where operating to several continenatal destinations.

Between 1956 - 1958, the airport was closed for a massive redevelopment, with pioneering design such as being the worlds first airport with direct train connections and the first terminal featuring piers and direct connections to the planes using jetbridges.

Fueled by ever increasing demand the airport has expanded still further in adding an additional peir in 1983, the North Terminal in 1988 and additional piers in 2005.

Plans are afoot for more expansion.