Group housing systems for pregnant sows are set to become more popular, but there is evidence that this development could influence the welfare of sows in farrowing crates. A study was designed to assess the effect of gestation accommodation on behaviour, welfare and farrowing performance of sows in farrowing crates. Sows were housed either in groups or in individual stalls from one month post breeding. On day 110 of gestation, about 5 days before farrowing, sows were moved to farrowing crates and remained there until 28 days post partum. Behaviour and skin lesions were recorded. On the first day in farrowing crates, the stalled sows made more attempts to lie down per lie down event than the group-housed sows. They also spent more time standing inactive and less time lying laterally. During parturition and on day 10 of lactation, the group-housed sows changed posture more often than the stalled sows. The stalled sows had more forelimb lesions in farrowing crates than the group-housed sows. The results indicated that group housing during gestation improved comfort of sows in the farrowing crate with beneficial implications for skin health. However, group-housed sows were more restless during parturition and in early lactation suggesting that group housing may have a negative influence on sow welfare in farrowing crates at these times.