Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Arundel, West Sussex

An enchanting market town, Arundel is situated on the steep western side of the Arun Valley as it descends towards the river.

Dominating the chalk ridge is Arundel Castle, home to the Howard family for nearly a millennium, alongside a Gothic Revival cathedral reminiscent of northern France.

This town showcases a plethora of stunning Georgian and Victorian residences, serving as a treasure trove for art enthusiasts with its numerous galleries and studios, complemented by a vibrant arts festival at the conclusion of August.

Additionally, Arundel is in close proximity to the South Downs National Park and only a few miles from the West Sussex coast, offering all the enjoyment synonymous with seaside activities.

Let us delve into the premier attractions in Arundel:

1. Arundel Castle

As one of England’s most historically significant country houses, Arundel Castle has been owned by the Howard family, the Dukes of Norfolk, since the 11th century.

The castle was established in 1067, shortly after the Norman Conquest, and by the middle of the 12th century, the original wooden structure on the motte was transformed into stone.

Surviving near destruction during the Civil War, the castle underwent restoration in the 18th century before being largely reconstructed from the 1870s to the 1890s, resulting in one of Victorian England’s finest Gothic Revival structures.

The Dukes of Norfolk’s art collection is exquisite, showcasing works by masters like Canaletto, Gainsborough, Mijtens, and van Dyck, along with antique decorative arts, including furniture and tapestries.

Once the servants’ hall, the castle’s converted restaurant and coffee shop offer a delightful culinary experience.

2. St Nicholas’ Church/Fitzalan Chapel

Within the western grounds of Arundel Castle lies a distinctive Perpendicular Gothic church, which features two separate worship spaces for Anglicans and Catholics.

This location was initially the Fitzalan Chapel, established in 1380 by Richard Fitzalan, the 11th Earl of Arundel.

Severely damaged during the Civil War in the mid-17th century, the chapel fell into disrepair until it was revitalized in the 1830s, with the western section becoming an Anglican worship area.

Visitors can contemplate numerous fittings and monuments, particularly the remarkable 14th-century iron grille separating the chapel and church, along with various brasses and tomb chests from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Notable artifacts include a beautiful 15th-century Spanish crucifix and a cinquefoil piscina, alongside a 14th-century fresco located in the south transept.

3. Collector Earl’s Garden

Positioned on elevated terrain to the west of the church and bordered by the stunning Arundel Cathedral, this meticulously designed formal garden was laid out in 2008 and is included with castle entry.

This exquisite Jacobean-style garden pays tribute to Thomas Howard, the 14th Earl of Arundel (1585-1646), famed as one of England’s early art collectors who gathered many works, like the portraits by Mijtens and van Dyck, forming the core of Arundel Castle’s collection.

The garden reclaimed a section of land previously covered by a car park.

Its layout consists of a series of “courts,” featuring precisely maintained lawns and hedges, Baroque-style stonework, a stumpery of gnarled tree stumps, and two Victorian glasshouses.

The centerpiece is a reconstruction of Inigo Jones’ “Oberon’s Palace,” magnificently situated atop a rocky mount and surrounded by palms and rare ferns.

4. Arundel Cathedral

As one of England’s most cherished Gothic Revival churches, Arundel Cathedral was constructed at the dawn of the 1870s, drawing inspiration from magnificent French Medieval cathedrals, particularly Bourges.

This structure served as a Catholic parish church until the establishment of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton in 1965. Its enchanting setting overlooks the west bank of the Arun, surveying the unfolding valley towards the coastal plain.

Upon entering, visitors can marvel at the craftsmanship reflected in the soaring rib vaults, stained glass work, and the intricate tracery of the rose window.

5. South Downs

Arundel is enveloped by the newest national park in the UK, designated in 2011, where the majority of the park encompasses the South Downs, a series of rolling chalk hills adorned with lush grasslands and interwoven with crystalline streams.

Exploring these downs by foot is the most rewarding experience, and access is readily available from the town.

Arundel offers four circular walking routes, traversing the parkland of Arundel Castle and proceeding through the scenic Arun Valley.

For those inclined towards longer excursions, access to two renowned trails is just minutes away.

South Downs Way stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne, passing through Amberley, while the Monarch’s Way retraces the journey of Charles II as he fled England in 1651, winding through the downs and concluding close to Shoreham, where he embarked on his voyage to France.

6. Arundel Museum

Local museums serve as an excellent resource for gaining insight into a town’s history, and Arundel’s museum is no exception.

This volunteer-run attraction overcame challenges in the 2000s, securing a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and relocating to a new riverside facility across from the Lower Castle Gate in 2013. The bright, well-organized galleries allow one to explore Arundel’s prehistoric origins, learn about trade along the Arun River, and examine tools like bellows and anvils from when Arundel was an industrial center during the early 20th century.

Among its treasures are an 18th-century sedan chair for the mayor, a Roman stylus, Cretaceous sea fossils, and remains of an early human from 500,000 years ago.

7. Bignor Roman Villa

In 1811, a farmer plowing a field on the Bignor estate uncovered this splendid Roman villa.

The villa was quickly excavated and became a visitor destination within three years.

The site remains under the ownership of the family of the farmer who first discovered it; part of its charm derives from the elegant Georgian shelters erected over the site two centuries ago.

The villa boasts some of the most exquisite Roman mosaics discovered in the UK, celebrated for their exceptional preservation and craftsmanship.

One mosaic features Medusa’s severed head, while another captivating piece illustrates Ganymede being abducted by Zeus in the guise of an eagle.

Adjacent to the villa is the Nyetimber vineyard, noteworthy within southern England’s burgeoning sparkling wine industry.

8. Arundel Wetland Centre

Managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the Wetland Centre is situated just beyond Castle Park, around the bend in the Arun.

The wetlands are nestled below Offham Hanger, a picturesque stretch of elevated woodland in the South Downs.

However, the centre transcends typical nature reserves by showcasing a captive collection of avian species, including rare Hawaiian geese, Australian wood ducks, and endangered Mediterranean marbled ducks.

The wetlands provide a habitat for various wild species, such as numerous warblers, tits, geese, ducks, and kingfishers.

A boardwalk meanders over water and reed beds, complemented by eight hides for wildlife observation.

Visitors can embark on boat safaris through the reedbed channels, while children can enjoy pond dipping, feeding geese, and exploring the wildlife-themed playground.

9. Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre

Set in 36 picturesque acres of South Downs countryside, the Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre showcases the industrial heritage of South East England.

The museum is located on the site of a former Victorian chalk quarry, featuring remaining structures from the operation, including kilns, a DeWitt steam engine, a locomotive shed, a bagging shed, and various offices.

Other buildings have been relocated to the site, such as a 1920s bus depot, a rural telephone exchange, a metal foundry, and a historic roadside cafe dating back to the 1930s.

Throughout the museum, visitors can admire authentic tools from traditional trades, including cobbling, pottery printing, brick-making, wheel-making, and blacksmithing.

There is also a narrow gauge railway extending nearly half a kilometre and a remarkable collection of historic buses, most of which are in working condition and date back to between 1914 and 1937.

10. Tangmere Military and Aviation Museum

The historic Royal Air Force base located just 15 minutes away at Tangmere boasts a fascinating history.

Established in 1916, it was utilized by the now-defunct United States Army Air Forces during the interwar period before becoming pivotal in the Battle of Britain, suffering an attack by hundreds of Stuka dive bombers in August 1940. Following the war, the RAF’s High-Speed Flight tests were conducted here, setting world air speed records in 1946 and 1953. Since the 1960s, the airfield has reverted to agricultural use, but two hangars and a small collection of aircraft outside still serve as a reminder of its storied past.

Key exhibits include the Gloster Meteor and the Hawker Hurricane, the aircraft responsible for breaking air speed records in 1946 and 1953, respectively.

11. Swanbourne Lake

Adjacent to the Arundel Wetland Centre lies a substantial reservoir surrounded by woodlands and the steep slopes of the South Downs.

Swanbourne Lake is remarkably ancient for a man-made water body, tracing back to before the Domesday Book in 1086. The lake’s shores are partly defined by chalk cliffs, with the Swanbourne Lodge situated on the eastern bank.

This stunning split flintstone Jacobethan structure, established in 1852, accommodates a cafe offering cream teas, ice cream, and light meals.

During the summer months, visitors can hire rowboats for a small fee, with life jackets included.

12. Aldingbourne Country Centre

This family-friendly open farm operates under the management of the Aldingbourne Trust, a charity dedicated to providing training, education, and employment for adults with learning difficulties.

The Country Centre employs individuals from this background and features various domestic animals, including friendly goats, ponies, chickens, alpacas, and turkeys.

Visitors can enjoy a tranquil woodland walk, while children can partake in tractor rides, play mini-golf, or engage in the castle-themed playground.

A cafe serving healthy meals further enhances the experience, with some produce sourced from the farm’s own vegetable garden.

13. Arundel Farmers’ Market

To experience the best of the Sussex and Hampshire countryside, the Arundel Farmers’ Market convenes in the town center on the third Saturday of each month.

Nearly all products are sourced, created, or raised within a 40-mile radius of Arundel.

Here you may find poultry, meat, dairy products, preserves, fruits, vegetables, cakes, pies, bread, herbs, and flowers.

Patrons can also enjoy locally roasted coffee or purchase bags to take home, knowing they support local farmers and enterprises by shopping here.

14. Littlehampton

Visitors to Arundel traveling with younger children will be pleased to discover a seaside town merely ten minutes to the south.

Littlehampton, positioned at the mouth of the Arun, encompasses all the features of a quintessential English coastal resort.

To the east of the river lies a continuous pebble beach lined with vibrant beach huts and a promenade.

On the east bank of the Arun, there is a selection of pubs, fish and chip shops, and restaurants with terraces where you can observe the yachts drifting by during the summer.

In the charming Norfolk Gardens, visitors will find a delightful miniature railway, mini-golf, and a pitch & putt course.

15. Arundel Festival

Over a period of ten days in August, people flock to Arundel for a multitude of performances across music, drama, street theatre, and art.

Arundel’s wealth of art galleries and studios also participate in the Arundel Gallery Trail.

Consisting of 65 diverse locations—an impressive number for such a small town—the event welcomes 150 participating artists.

This festival provides a unique opportunity to meet talented painters, ceramicists, illustrators, sculptors, furniture makers, printers, and more, with the added pleasure of experiencing many of Arundel’s exquisite period residences.

The Arundel Festival occurs during the ten days leading up to Bank Holiday Monday, culminating on the final Saturday with a lively dragon boat race on the Arun, benefiting charitable causes.