The history of Gatwick Airport and that of the Flight Tavern are inextricably linked, both being examples of business which have “taken off” and which reflect the success and wealth of the area generally.

When Gatwick’s first airfield license was granted by the air ministry for the sum of one guinea on August 1st 1930, The Flight Tavern was known as Mayfield Farmhouse. The area predominantly given over to nurseries supplying a ready market in the growing urban areas – the sturdy construction of the pub is testament to how well the land rewarded its owners.

At first, Gatwick was simply a pleasure aerodrome but its potential was overwhelming. In 1933 Gatwick racecourse was bought up and in 1936 the first building was built and became known as The Beehive because of its circular shape.

The first passenger service flights to Paris costing £4.5s single or £6 return were operated by the newly formed British Airways Ltd. The company made much of the fact that Gatwick was beyond the Surrey Hills, which meant its biplanes could avoid low cloud.

Gatwick’s success and its expansion (a new terminal building was inaugurated by the Queen in 1958) meant Mayfield could not survive as a farm. In 1962, it was bought and turned into a private club, The Gatwick Aero Club (which B.T. still puts on its bills!), by Captain Victor Townsend, a retired Gatwick pilot and head of Townsend Aviation.

The Flight Tavern came into being in 1986 and is perfectly placed to serve the traveller from far and near with great freshly prepared British food, fine hand-pulled cask conditioned real ales and a range of good wines, all enjoyed in its warm and friendly surroundings. The name Flight Tavern was picked as the winner in a competition ran locally to get interest in the new pub. Seems obvious it should be called that now though!

Today the Flight Tavern is owned by Marco and Sarah Dawson who took over the business in August 2007.

We now offer freshly cooked English food, a selection of white and red wines including sparkling, and a champagne, cask Ales of London Pride and Shepherd Neame’s Spitfire as well as Strongbow, Carling, Fosters, Stella Artois, Guinness and Caffrey’s. We also stock a range of bottled beers, pear cider and a full complement of soft drinks.

The pub is family friendly encouraging children to join their parents during the day or evening. A special children’s menu including a dessert is available.

Being in a suburban setting you can get away from the city or town life for the afternoon or evening here at the Flight Tavern, sitting in our beautiful beer garden in summer or enjoying our real fires on those cold winter days.

We welcome dogs of all breeds in both the pub and the garden as long as they are well behaved and any messages left by them are cleared up.

So, welcome to the website, Marco and Sarah look forward to meeting you soon.