Stratford-upon-Avon to Gatwick

Hello, I have a flight from Gatwick to Rome FCO which leaves at 15:00. I will be in Stratford-upon-Avon and I am trying to decide if I should arrive in London the night before or if I will be safe in taking a train straight to Gatwick the day of my trip. I checked the National Railway schedule and it says if I leave at 7:30 I will arrive at Gatwick at 10:45. The connections I need to make are are: Chiltern Railways Stratford-upon-Avon to London Marylebone, Underground from Marylebone to Oxford Circus, Victoria Line to Victoria Station and Gatwick Express to Gatwick. Is this the best way to go? It seems like a lot of changes but maybe it's not as complicated as it seems. Would it be risky to leave in the morning or would I be better off coming into London the night before?

One other question; I will be meeting someone at Gatwick before going to the gate. Where is the best place to meet? We will be in the North Terminal.

Many thanks for any suggestions.

It's very straightforward.

If all goes according to plan this schedule will have you arriving at Gatwick between 11.30 - 12.00. This should be ample time and, in general, train travel is subject to fewer delays/hold-ups.
However - can I suggest that you take a Southern train to Gatwick, rather than the Gatwick Express. It's a lot cheaper and only takes about 5 minutes longer. See http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ for train details.

Here - http://www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/bars-restaurants.html#1 - is a list of bars and restaurants in the North terminal; take your pick.

Agree with above no problem at all and yes avoid the Gatwick express. But you could leave later you do not need to arrive at Gatwick until 13.00

Better to be early than planning a tight schedule and then panicking.

I think you might find that on a through ticket from Stratford the Gatwick Express is included at no extra cost - it is on many long distance trips. Check the options carefully - no point in avoiding the GEX if you've paid for it.

You don't say when you are travelling: be aware that a strike is planned on the London Underground, so bear that in mind. If you need to travel on a strike day, then you could take bus 205 from Marylebone to King's Cross in less than half an hour. Frequent trains run from there to Gatwick: not as fast as the Gatwick Express, but the tickets cost a good deal less and the saving in time crossing London is likely to compensate for the longer train ride.

For transport within London, check out the journey planner on www.tfl.gov.uk