Looking for a fun, family-friendly day out that will thrill your little ones and keep the grown-ups happy too? Look no further than Tilgate Park in Crawley—especially when the dinosaurs are in town!
We recently spent the day exploring this incredible prehistoric-themed event, and it was everything we hoped for (and more). Here’s an overview of our dino-mite adventure!
First Stop: Nando’s
Before heading into the wild world of dinosaurs, we made a pit stop at Nando’s in Crawley Leisure Park—about a 10-minute drive from Tilgate Park. Nando’s is the absolute easiest restaurant when dealing with the dairy and soy allergies, so it tends to be our go to if we’re ever passing through Crawley.
That said, next time, especially if the weather’s nice, we’d definitely bring a picnic. Tilgate Park is absolutely beautiful, and there’s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a more relaxed lunch outdoors – which is what so many people were doing, as we were pretty lucky with the weather, after a fairly cold and miserable bank holiday Sunday morning!
The Dinosaur Experience
We booked our tickets in advance, which made things super easy. Once we arrived, we only waited about five minutes to get in, even on a busy bank holiday Sunday—which was a pleasant surprise! The event itself was really well laid out, with lots to see and do.
There were life-sized dinosaurs scattered around the park, and they were so cool. I absolutely loved them… the toddler wasn’t quite as enthusiastic—he didn’t want to get too close, didn’t want us turning our backs on them, and didn’t want to stick around near them for too long. So, I’m convinced he must have been a caveman in a past life, living side-by-side with dinosaurs!
Activities for Little Explorers
There were loads of interactive activities for kids of all ages, including:
- Brushing dinosaur teeth (yes, really!)
- A fun archaeology dig
- Short films all about dinosaurs
- An activity book to fill out as you explored
We spent about an hour enjoying the dinosaurs, events, and fairground, but you could have spent a bit longer there, but the toddler was keen to move on to the playground.
The playground in Tilgate Park, and the huge lake, and loads of nature, made for the perfect Sunday afternoon spot.
A Note on the Crowds
For a bank holiday Sunday, it really didn’t feel too overcrowded. The bouncy castle had a bit of a queue, but everything else was manageable, and we had individual dinosaurs to ourselves throughout the walk.
Parking Tips
If you’re heading there on a weekend or during school holidays, take our advice and head straight to the overflow car park rather than the car park near the Smith & Western. It gets busy fast, and you don’t want to waste time circling for a spot! During the week, the car park near the zoo/restaurant would be a better choice.
Final Thoughts
This dino-themed day at Tilgate Park was such a fun experience—and a perfect way to burn off some toddler energy! Whether you’re local or visiting the Crawley area, it’s well worth checking out.
Top tips:
- Book in advance
- Bring a picnic if the weather’s nice
- Prepare for some cautious reactions from tiny dino-fans
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