WHSmith

£2+ for water and crisps pretty much sums up WHSmith Gatwick

WHSmith has branches in both North and South Terminal at Gatwick, sitting just after security and near several main gate corridors. They’re the default spot for magazines, puzzle books and last‑minute snacks, but prices for basics often run close to double supermarket levels. A 500ml water that’s £1 in town can push past £2 here, and a grab‑bag of crisps or chocolate bar isn’t far behind.

Opening hours typically track the first to last bank of departures, so expect doors open from around 04:00 until late evening in both terminals. Stock is standard WHSmith: UK newspapers like The Times and Daily Mail, weekly mags, and plenty of crosswords and sudoku booklets you might not see in Boots next door. You’ll also find multipack soft drinks and snack deals on two‑for‑£X promos that bring the per‑item cost closer to high‑street pricing if you’re buying for two or three people.

Regulars on Reddit say they bring water and snacks from Tesco or Sainsbury’s before hitting Gatwick and only use WHSmith for reading material or emergency buys. Many head to Boots in North or South Terminal for meal deals and single drinks, then drop into WHSmith purely for a niche magazine or a chunky puzzle book for a 7‑hour flight. If you do buy drinks here, it usually makes more sense to grab a multi‑buy rather than a single bottle.

Watch out for cramped aisles and queues, especially in the North Terminal store just after security around 06:00–09:00. People complain that self‑checkouts are sometimes turned off or heavily supervised, which slows things down when three short‑haul departures board at once. One practical tip: hit Boots first for food and water, then use WHSmith as a quick in‑and‑out stop for a specific newspaper or magazine on the way to your gate.