Skip the navigation

Crawley in Sussex

The Hawth Theatre and Arts Centre

The Hawth provides a varied menu of arts events by local and touring artists, including:

  • comedy
  • dance
  • drama
  • music: pop, jazz, folk, classical, opera
  • children’s entertainment
  • visual arts: films, photography and painting

Facilities

  • The auditorium contains 855 seats, a stage, and good sound and lighting systems. It is used for concerts, plays and films as well as conferences and exhibitions.
  • The studio accommodates up to 146 spectators for small-scale events.
  • An outdoor amphitheatre at the rear of the building is used for drama and music in the summer.
  • The foyer contains a permanent exhibition space, often used by local artists and photographers.
  • a function room for weddings and corporate events is available for hire, and can accommodate up to 100 guests.
  • The Hawth also contains a restaurant and two bars. Warning: payment by cash is not permitted.

History of The Hawth

The theatre opened in 1988, although the first of many unsuccessful proposals to build a theatre in Crawley had been made as long ago as 1964. Incidentally, the name ‘hawth’ is supposed to come from a local pronunciation of the word ‘heath’. More recently, the venue has been operated by Parkwood Theatres.

What’s On

For the current schedule, see: https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth/whats-on

How to Book Tickets

  • Phone 01293 553636 (Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 16:00)
  • Email hawthboxoffice@parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
  • Book online via each show’s specific page on the Hawth’s website
  • N.B. Booking in person is no longer permitted. Paying by cash is no longer permitted.

Location, Directions and Car Parking

The Hawth sits in woodland about half a mile east of the town centre, and has parking for 250 cars.

By Train and Bus

The Hawth is about 10-15 minutes’ walk from both Crawley train station and Three Bridges train station. Buses 4 and 5 run between both stations and the Hawth, as well as the town centre, Langley Green, County Oak and Pound Hill, and are co-ordinated around evening performances. Up-to-date timetables are available on the Metrobus and National Rail websites.

By Road

From the south and west:

  1. Join the A23 at Pease Pottage (junction 11 on the M23) and follow the signs to Crawley.
  2. At Southgate roundabout (the one containing a large football), take the third exit onto Southgate Avenue.
  3. Go straight on until the third set of traffic lights.
  4. Take the right-hand lane onto Hawth Avenue. The Hawth is half a mile along on your left.

From the north and east:

  1. Join the roundabout where junction 10 of the M23 meets the A264.
  2. Follow the signs for Crawley (the third exit from the M23; the second from the A264) onto the A2011, Crawley Avenue.
  3. At the first roundabout you come to, take the first exit;
  4. You will find yourself on a slip road, joining Hazelwick Avenue.
  5. You will very soon arrive at a roundabout with Tesco on your left. Continue straight on (i.e. take the second exit).
  6. After a couple of hundred yards, you will come to a set of traffic lights with Three Bridges train station visible to your left. Turn right onto the A2220, Haslett Avenue.
  7. At a large roundabout containing a Holiday Inn, take the second exit onto Hawth Avenue.
  8. Continue over a railway bridge and take the third exit at the roundabout to enter the Hawth.

Contact Details

Website
www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth
Email
hawthboxoffice@parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Phone
01293 553636
Address
Hawth Avenue, Crawley, Sussex, RH10 6YZ