Anywhere to loiter near Gatwick North?

[eybic]

I need to pick someone up from Gatwick North later and want to get near to the airport early to avoid delays due to traffic (travelling from Berks on the M3, M25, M27 ). I'm aiming to get there at about 1715 with the flight due at just after 1800. Is there anywhere nearby that I could loiter for up to an hour? I've previously hung around Pease Pottage but would welcome any other suggestions. I'll be parking up once I know they've landed.

Thank you

[Pericoloso]

Povey cross road ,where the A217 and A23 meet.

There's some parking down there ,you're supposed to pay but I don't think wardens go up there much.

I've see trucks taking breaks there but I bet they don't pay for 2 or 3 spaces.

[GT03ROB]

I think one of the long stays has free parking for an hour or 2.

[anonymous-user]

KFC by the south terminal has a large free car park (if you buy something to eat). There’s McDonald’s next door also but it’s usually busier.

If you’re early you can check out the world famous Gatwick aviation museum in Charlwood.

http://gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk/

But last entry is a 16:00 so maybe too early?

Or povey cross road as above.

[48k]

There's a Tesco superstore at Hookwood with a Costa coffee.

[2cute4you]

There’s McDonald’s next door also but it’s usually busier.

[Composite Guru]

Have a wander around Gatwick Caterham? That's on the south side of the airport though.

[Shakermaker]

I'm sure my mum would make you a cup of tea if you asked nicely, she works at the end of Povey cross road.

If you park there early enough you can then walk along the public footpath and get up close to the end of the runway, its about a mile or so walk I guess though I've not measured it

[Puggit]

Tell them to get the Gatwick-Reading train and you'll pick them up from that

[daddy cool]

GT03ROB said:

I think one of the long stays has free parking for an hour or 2.

Yep, the longstay has 2 hour free parking, and free buses to the terminals every 15 mins. That's what I use when I have to pick up my old dear from Gatwick (im also coming from Berks).
I just aim to be parking up at the expected "wheels-down" time, and I find that by the time I arrive at arrivals shes coming out. Usually back at the car with an hour to spare on the parking!

[eybic]

Thanks chaps, a few options then. I haven't had a KFC for a while

[Dilligaf10]

Earlswood Common Lakes. Between Reigate and Gatwick. Good clean toilets and a decent permanent burger bar. Plenty of free parking.

[S1KRR]

daddy cool said:

GT03ROB said:

I think one of the long stays has free parking for an hour or 2.

Yep, the longstay has 2 hour free parking, and free buses to the terminals every 15 mins. That's what I use when I have to pick up my old dear from Gatwick (im also coming from Berks).
I just aim to be parking up at the expected "wheels-down" time, and I find that by the time I arrive at arrivals shes coming out. Usually back at the car with an hour to spare on the parking!

Almost exactly how I deal with Heathrow. Park up nearby for free (McDonalds or Tesco) 2 hours free in long stay, bus to arrivals. Usually plenty of time. And getting back tot he car is usually not a load of grief either.

Consider downloading the free FlightRadar24 app to get an accurate ETA.

[eybic]

I got shafted with some traffic so got there just as the plane was landing in the end (watching it come in on flightradar). Thanks for the suggestions though, I'll bear them in mind for next time

[djc206]

S1KRR said:

Almost exactly how I deal with Heathrow. Park up nearby for free (McDonalds or Tesco) 2 hours free in long stay, bus to arrivals. Usually plenty of time. And getting back tot he car is usually not a load of grief either.

Consider downloading the free FlightRadar24 app to get an accurate ETA.

You’ll get a better ETA from the airport website. The ETAs on FR24 don’t account for any airborne holding which at this time of year is common at both Heathrow and Gatwick.

[eybic]

djc206 said:

S1KRR said:

Almost exactly how I deal with Heathrow. Park up nearby for free (McDonalds or Tesco) 2 hours free in long stay, bus to arrivals. Usually plenty of time. And getting back tot he car is usually not a load of grief either.

Consider downloading the free FlightRadar24 app to get an accurate ETA.

You’ll get a better ETA from the airport website. The ETAs on FR24 don’t account for any airborne holding which at this time of year is common at both Heathrow and Gatwick.

Yep, flightradar was counting down to the original ETA and she was still circling around the Brighton area with 0 minutes to go.

[RC1807]

OP: suggest you use the M3, M25 and M23 to avoid being in Hampshire by mistake

[eybic]

RC1807 said:

OP: suggest you use the M3, M25 and M23 to avoid being in Hampshire by mistake

lol, nobody likes a smart arse

[S1KRR]

eybic said:

djc206 said:

S1KRR said:

Almost exactly how I deal with Heathrow. Park up nearby for free (McDonalds or Tesco) 2 hours free in long stay, bus to arrivals. Usually plenty of time. And getting back tot he car is usually not a load of grief either.

Consider downloading the free FlightRadar24 app to get an accurate ETA.

You’ll get a better ETA from the airport website. The ETAs on FR24 don’t account for any airborne holding which at this time of year is common at both Heathrow and Gatwick.

Yep, flightradar was counting down to the original ETA and she was still circling around the Brighton area with 0 minutes to go.

Not my experience

Whilst parked up nearby. App said "eta 16mins" Which was sooner than I expected. And turned out to be accurate.
Plane landed nearly 30 mins early.

[CharlieH89]

I’ve also had a bad experience using Flight Radar with Manchester Airport.
The airports website was much more accurate.