neighbouring areas
Gatwick, home to the UK's second largest airport.
Living in Gatwick
Lying less than 30 miles south of central London, the area of Gatwick comprises traditional market towns like Horley and larger city centres like Crawley.
Situated on the edge of West Sussex and in Crawley Borough, the area offers the best of old and new, with premier shopping centres, quaint markets, large residential areas and beautiful countryside close by.
The countryside around Gatwick, thanks to strict planning policies, is attractive and unspoilt - its main characteristic is woods and fields and historic villages. All the land to the north of the airport is designated as Green Belt where development is prohibited.
There are three nationally designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) within 15 miles of the airport, and they almost encircle the airport.
The nearest residential area to Gatwick is Crawley, which economically has developed into the main centre of industry and employment between London and the south coast of England.
A large industrial area supports various industries and services, many of which are connected with Gatwick Airport. Over 15% of airport staff live in Crawley and Horley.
The area has 13 residential neighbourhoods, each with a variety of housing: terraced, semi-detached and detached houses, low-rise flats and bungalows. There are no residential tower blocks. Many houses have their own gardens and are set back from roads.
Transport
Serving the second largest volume of passengers in the UK per year, Gatwick's claim to fame is that it was the world's first airport to have its own railway connection.
Gatwick is just 40 kilometres outside of London, and is easily navigable via the M25 London orbital road. It's situated halfway between Brighton and London.
The Gatwick Express train service to and from London's Victoria Station takes around 30 minutes.
The Thameslink service runs every 15 minutes, with a journey from Gatwick to London's King's Cross in around 30 to 45 minutes.
You can find further information at www.gatwickairport.com; www.gatwickexpress.co.uk
History and culture
There are a number of interesting places in the region, including an eleventh century castle in Arundel, a nature reserve and Elizabethan country estates.
Littlehampton has award-winning beaches and offers a tranquil English seaside experience as opposed to a much livelier and a more cosmopolitan feel in Brighton.
Arundel is home to the Wildlife and Wetlands Nature Reserve which is overlooked by Arundel Castle. Situated on the River Arun, the castle dates back a thousand years and is set in 40 acres of land.
Further information can be found at www.westsussex.gov.uk.