The West Sussex district of Arun includes Pagham, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Arundel. To the south, it has approximately 25 km of Sussex coast and to the north are the stunning South Downs.
It’s home to a magnificent castle, the River Arun, nature reserves and forests. The film Wicked Little Letters starring Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley and Timothy Spall was based on a true story that took place in Littlehampton and was filmed in Arundel and Worthing. Some of the actors stayed in the Bailiffscourt during filming. All of which makes 48 hours in Arun a fabulous mini-break with much to explore.
Friday afternoon arrival
If you’re staying at Bailiffscourt, you might just want to relax and unwind in their surroundings. Have a cocktail in the garden or courtyard, walk down to the beach or check out their spa facilities.
This gorgeous Medieval-style hotel has a 13th century chapel, underground tunnels, an inner rose-clad courtyard, 30 acres of private parkland and access to the seafront. Eat in the hotel on Friday evening and then enjoy a great night’s sleep in one of their fourposter beds (check availability when booking).
Saturday morning
After breakfast, it’s a roughly 4 km coastal walk to Littlehampton harbour bridge where you cross the River Arun and enter Littlehampton town. You’ll pass the edge of a nature reserve and Littlehampton Fort before you come to the River Arun.
Once in the town, visit the free museum to get a sense of the area. It’s in the Manor House in Church Street and from there, if you’re a big Wicked Little Letters fan, you can visit Western Road where the main protagonists lived at number 45 and number 47 . It’s a pretty enough street but there’s not much to see.
After this, it’s down to the seafront. Walk the wide promenade along the banks of the River Arun overlooking the harbour. Try a little crabbing over the side of Littlehampton pier, or muck about on the mile long sand and shingle Blue Flag beach. When you’ve built up an appetite, grab some fish and chips from Pier Road and eat them on the UK’s longest bench, or grab a bite from the unusual looking East Beach Café.
Saturday afternoon
Saturday afternoon is all about water sports and adventure and you need to make your way a little further east along the seafront to the Beach Café. This distinctive wooden building has a rood top terrace and all the action you could need. Take your pick from windsurfing, kiteboarding, paddleboarding, wing foil or sea swimming. And if you’re not tempted by that, try skateboarding, yoga or dancing!
The Beach Café also host lots of events, so if you have any energy left, check out what’s on and join an evening beach barbeque or live music on Saturday night. They serve food until 9 pm. Alternatively, grab your stuff and head north to the town of Arundel for your second night. Arundel Jailhouse is a unique underground venue where they host a programme of different events from murder mystery to Motown and the town has a number of very good restaurants.
Sunday morning
Start your morning with a walk around Arundel town where some of Wicked Little Letters was filmed. There are lots of independent shops in the town which include art galleries, antiques, fashion and work by local artisans. Don’t miss Nineveh House or the Old Printworks shopping arcade. There’s a Farmers Market on the third Saturday of each month if you’re here on a Saturday and a wine merchant (Digby Fine English) with sells local wines and has a tasting room in the high street. They are open from 12 to 4 pm on a Sunday.
If you have time or the energy, walk up to Arundel Park and the Hiorne Tower and get a quick peek at the Stunning South Downs before making your way to the Black Rabbit, set on the river banks just out of town. This quirky pub has views of the castle and lots of memorabilia. Ask them about their Harry Potter boat from The Philosopher’s Stone.
Sunday afternoon
Sunday afternoon is about history and culture because you can’t visit this town without a tour of Arundel Castle. With foundations dating back to 1067, but with lots of subsequent refurbishment, there is so much to see here. Climb the Keep for views across the county, admire the grandeur of the Baron’s Hall and Dining Room, and lose yourself in the magnificent library. If you’re lucky, you might just have time for a quick beer at the Fauna Brewing Taproom Old Engine Shed, a short distance away.
Planning your trip
Littlehampton is approximately 50 miles from London and train times are about 1 hr 40 mins. The nearest airports are Gatwick and Brighton City Airport. Return trains from Arundel to London take abut 1 hr 30 mins.
Places to stay in Arundel
Places to stay in Arundel include East Beach Guest House, The Pig in the Downs (just outside the town) and the Norfolk Arms.
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