UPDATED: Close enough for Park and Go (Tudor Rose Gatwick Airport Executive Parking)

Member Name: grahamt

Product:	Tudor Rose Gatwick Airport Executive Parking
Date:	08/08/04 (2279 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Convenient

Disadvantages: Minimum charge

Living in the South as we do, when we go on holiday we will fly from one of London's airports and 9 times out 10 that will be from Gatwick. Although we could get there by public transport, the sheer quantity of luggage we often take with us make this an impractical option, especially when we go skiing. The only real possibility is to drive there, but what to do with the car whilst we are away?

In the past we have used the Long Term parking facilities at the Airport, run by NCP and Parking Express. Although convenient, these options are quite expensive, especially when you are away for more than a week and in fact, even these options do have inconveniences of their own.

When you arrive at the airport you either drive up to Departures and unload the luggage there, leaving it with a travelling companion whilst you go and park the car and return on the coach or else you park first, unload the luggage and transfer it with yourself to the coach for the ride back to the terminal before transferring it once again onto a trolley.

What we would prefer would be a location as convenient as the on-site parking but for a better price and without the inconveniences associated with the luggage.

A colleague at work told me about an off-site car park called Tudor Rose. I have looked at these sort of car parks in the past and although they do offer cost savings it's usually at the expense of some considerable travel from car park to airport and still with the problem of transferring luggage.

Tudor Rose is close to Gatwick, located behind the ESSO petrol station on London Road in Crawley. This is just a few minutes from the airport. Their site is just rough ground so in bad weather it does get in a bit of a state. It is, however, secure. The park is fenced and gated for protection.

The big advantage is that there is not requirement to transfer to a coach for the ride to the airport. You arrive at the park, sign in, have your car checked and then one of their drivers drive you and your car and luggage to the airport. There you unload the luggage as you otherwise in any case would and then he drives your car back to the car park.

When you return from holiday you ring one of two numbers, according to whether you are returning during the day or at night, to let them know you have arrived. They ask you to clear Customs before doing this as otherwise you may be delayed and, of course, they can't wait indefinitely in the pickup/dropoff lane.

Within a few minutes they drive up with your car and you load your luggage. All they ask is that you drop them off back at the car park before going on your way. Sometimes, especially if a number of their customers have arrived back at the same time, they may have to collect you in their minibus.

Whilst you are away they can offer an additional service to valet your car so that is bright and clean for your return. This is, of course, at additional cost. A typical charge for one week is £36. For an additional £2.50 per day they offer under-cover parking plus a guarantee that you won't have to use the minibus on return. For a similar stay, NCP and Parking Express charge £60.

You can get a price for your stay and then book and pay for the service at their website - http://www.tudorrose.co.uk/. It's very simple to use. You get a confirmatory email once your booking has been accepted. If you prefer you can phone or fax them. Their number is 01293 525251 and fax - 01293 510724 and 01293 611948.

I've always been very happy with their service. On one occasion they even enabled me to have work done on my car whilst I was away. I arranged with them for a garage to collect, complete the work and return the car in time for our return.

UPDATED - February 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tudor Rose has now moved its car park to a different location. Since that time it are now operates a "Meet & Greet" service at no additional cost. Instead of driving to the car park you now drive straight to the airport. On your way you call them (Hands Free of course!!!) and let them know that you are soon to arrive.

They recommend that you call them shortly before Junction 9 on the M23. I would recommend that you call them just after turning off of the M25. We tried calling their number several times but it was continually engaged so we were actually at the airport before we managed to get through.

You drive to Arrivals rather than Departures. You are met by a Tudor Rose driver in a very fetching red baseball cap, or you are supposed to. If they are late arriving, as in our case because we couldn't get through, you will have a problem. The Gatwick Traffic Wardens are just about the most officious I have ever met. If you aren't unloaded and on your way in seconds they are threatening you with a parking fine. I had to drive round and round the airport several times until the driver arrived!

Nevertheless, when working properly the system is perfect. The best just keeps getting better!

Summary: The best value for money parking at Gatwick