Crawley - Tilgate Park & Garden

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Crawley Tilgate Park & Garden, with Explorers following Robin Rusticus's map after he hid a stolen hoard of gold and silver in Tilgate Forest, outwitting the present-day Crawley Creepy Crawlies and racing to reach the cache first.

The quest covers approximately 1.8 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll set off from the main car park off Titmus Drive, then explore Tilgate Park's lakes, gardens and woodlands before looping back to the starting area.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Most of the route follows paths, but these can be muddy in places, with some sections becoming slippery in wet conditions. The adventure also includes bridges, narrow path sections, a stepped pathway of paving stones and one section walking on planks over water.

Take care in the car park and when crossing roads. There is water along the route, including lakes, ponds and a bridge over water, so keep a close eye on all Explorers throughout the hunt.

Getting There

By car: Start your expedition at the main car park off Titmus Drive (RH10 5HS). Overflow parking is available at Fisherman's car park.

By public transport: The nearest bus stop is Whistler Close, served by Route 2. From there, make your way to the main car park off Titmus Drive to begin the quest.

Need the Loo?

Toilets are available near the main car park and in the Walled Garden, so there are handy comfort-stop options before or after your treasure-hunting circuit.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can join the outdoor adventure 🐾

Dogs must be kept on a lead around the main lake, and they are not permitted in the Walled Garden, Tilgate Zoo or play areas. The route includes paths, bridges, narrow sections, water, a stepped pathway of paving stones and potentially muddy or slippery ground, so keep canine companions close and take extra care around the lakes, ponds and roads.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure-hunting through lakes, gardens and woodland can work up a proper appetite. The park offers cafes, and it's also great for picnics if you'd rather bring your own provisions and make the most of the green surroundings.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Tilgate Park

The Trail explores Tilgate Park's lakes, gardens and woodlands, making the park itself the star extra once the cache has been tracked down. Look out for heritage trees planted over the past 200 years - a tradition that continues to the present day.

Walled Garden and Maze

The free Walled Garden and Maze make a brilliant optional extension to the quest - and the perfect place to lose the Triple C's. When the Walled Garden and Zoo are open, they keep seasonal hours of 10am to 6pm in Apr-Oct and 10am to 4pm Nov-Mar. Dogs are not permitted in the Walled Garden.

Tilgate Zoo

Tilgate Zoo sits on the far side of the Walled Garden and houses over 100 different varieties of animals, from endangered species to farmyard favourites. It also maintains rare breeds of native livestock including white park cattle, Boreray sheep and Bagot goats, as well as meerkats and otters. A small entry fee applies, and dogs are not permitted in the Zoo.

The Lakes and Bridges

The route takes Explorers beside the lake, over a small wooden bridge and across several other bridges, with views over the water and concrete seating along one stretch. One section also involves walking on planks over water, so this is a scenic part of the adventure to enjoy carefully rather than rush.

Crawley and Tilgate Forest History

There's plenty of ancient intel hidden behind the greenery. Crawley is thought to be derived from 'Crow Leah', with Neolithic tools and a Bronze Age sword found in the area. Iron was produced in the Crawley area for more than 2,000 years from the Iron Age onwards, and Tilgate Forest yielded the first remains of Iguanodon in 1822 and Hylaeosaurus in 1832.