If you’re visiting Arundel, you may be happy enough to browse the shops and eat at some of the wonderful eateries. But with so much to do in and around the town, here are a few ideas to help fill a day or two in this historic town.
Arundel Castle
You cannot visit Arundel and not visit the castle, especially if you’ve not been before or for a while. The castle dates back to 1068 and was one of the more significant Norman castles built following the Norman invasion of 1066. It’s been grandly and elaborately extended and rebuilt in the centuries since, meaning you have a fascinating mix of styles and a fabulous and opulent interior, along with impressive grounds and castles
You can visit the interior, just the gardens (including the Earl Collector’s Garden) or both. The castle also has a fairly full programme of events during the summer, from its famous Tulip Festival in April, to Medieval jousting and open air theatre. The castle is open from April until the beginning of November.
Arundel Museum
Once you’ve finished at the castle, your next stop should be the museum, which you’ll find opposite the castle gates as you leave and on the banks of the river Arun. Arundel Museum is not a big museum but it’s packed to the rafters with interesting things and will take you on a journey back in time to the first beginnings of Arundel as a settlement.
Exploring the town
Arundel has a great selection of shops, so it’s well worth a good browse as you explore the town. There are antiques and bric-a-brac shops, artisans and independents (head to Nineveh Chapel), Digby English Wine for wine tastings and a tap room at Fauna Brewing. There are also a couple of superb bookshops and the Tea and Biscuit Club (where they sell tea) which is as aromatic as it is compelling. There are also regular farmers markets held in the town on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
The Cathedral
You can’t miss Arundel Cathedral which stands watch over the town. Designed by architect, Joseph Aloysius Hansom, in the late 17th century, it wasn’t completed until 1873. It didn’t become a cathedral until 1965 and is now Grade I listed and widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the country. Head inside for a moment’s quiet reflection and enjoy the cool and calm of this incredible building.
Visit St Nicholas church
This Medieval church was bult in 1380 when Arundel was a port and it’s divided in two. Half of it belongs to the Duke of Norfolk who owns Arundel Castle. That half is known as the Fitzalan Chapel as is accessed from within the grounds of the castle, with monuments of the Fitzalan family, Earls of Arundel. The other half, the nave, is open to the public and can be accessed from the top end of the town. This half has faded wall paintings, in the north aisle, depicting the seven deadly sins and the seven works of mercy.
Stroll around Swanbourne Lake
A short walk along the river from the castle gates and museum, brings you to Swanbourne Lake. Here you can walk, hire a boat, try some bird watching or just enjoy tea and a bite to eat.
You could also play a game of pooh sticks from the old bridge on Mill Road and look out for the picturesque water mill. There has been a lake and mill here since Medieval times. From the lake, there is a beautiful walk up into Arundel Park and back into the top end of the town via the Hiorne Tower (2.5km to 3 km).
Visit Arundel Park and Hiorne Tower
Arundel Park is a 330 acre area of parkland and Site of Special Scientific Interest. You can access it from various places in the town and the famous Monarch’s Way cuts through the middle if you want to pick up the trail and walk on from there. It has steep valleys and great views and it is here you’ll find the distinctive Hiorne Tower. You can’t miss it as it’s a rather impressive Grade II Listed building, designed and built c1787 in Gothic revival style with three octagonal corner turrets made in flint and stone chequer-work with pointed and mullioned windows.
Wetlands and wildlife
Arundel Wetland Centre is not far from Swanbourne Lake. They have a visitor centre and shop, along with lots of hides and boardwalks around the 65-acre site. There’s a fantastically diverse wildlife population here including kingfishers, birds of prey, and much, much more. They offer boat safaris, talks and even dragonfly festivals. It’s very tranquil and well worth a visit.
Head to the lido for a dip
Arundel has lots of wonderful cafés and restaurants so if you want to burn a few calories before you indulge, head to the Lido. Arundel Lido is the only remaining Lido in West Sussex and includes a 25m main pool with a 5m entry area, grass surrounds for picnics and a small paddling pool too. And the good news is that it’s heated.
Go to jail
Tucked down a twitten, is Arundel Jailhouse, in a real Georgian/Victorian prison. Here they host live music, comedy and theatre with a fully licenced bar guests. Built in 1836, the Arundel Town Hall Prison was used to house inmates who had been convicted upstairs in the court rooms. Home to many resident ghosts, Arundel Jailhouse is a hotbed of paranormal activity and regularly visited by many paranormal groups for investigation.
Catch the Arundel Players
The Arundel Players have been performing since 1959 and now perform in the Oratory of Arundel Priory. They have a busy programme.
Walk the canal
The river Arun sweeps around at the foot of the town. From behind the museum, you can pick up the river path. Follow the path, for a short 2.5 km walk (take the first left you come to across the flats and back to the town) or keep walking and take the second left you come to. This brings you out at Swanbourne Lake and you can walk back to town from there (3.5km). You can also walk all the way along the river to the Black Rabbit pub for a spot of lunch. The joy of these walks is that they give you incredible vires of the castle and you get a real sense of what it must have been like back in Medieval times.
Visit Amberley
A short car journey or train ride from Arundel is Amberley. For a small village there is a lot going on there. There is the fabulous Amberley Castle where you can enjoy afternoon tea, dinner or an over night stay. There is also Amberley Wildbrooks Nature Reserve and Amberley Heritage Museum. Finally, there is the Amberley Tea Rooms from where you can hire a boat.
Lots of festivals
Arundel has a fabulous calendar of festivals, starting in April with the Tulip Festival in the grounds of the castle. Thousands of brightly coloured flowers representing hundreds of varieties welcome in the spring under the watchful eye of the cathedral. It’s simply stunning. If you miss the tulips, you could catch a jousting tournament in June or head back to the town in August for the annual Arundel Festival which includes street performances, music trails, and food and drink. Finally, before the year is out, return once more for the “Arundel at Christmas” programme which runs throughout the whole of December.
If it’s tours of the town that you’re after, check out Arundel’s postman, AKA Martin Tourman, who does a series of brilliantly informative walking tours of the town (you’ll find him on Instagram).
While you’re in Arundel, you may also be interested in:
