Local Attractions & Links
Places To Go, People To See!
Arundel is a fascinating historic town packed with experiences to make your stay a memorable one. Here are but a few!
ARUNDEL CASTLE - Ancient Castle & Stately Home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 850 years. Priceless collections and marvellous interiors, kitchen and flower gardens. Occasional falconry displays and historical re-enactments. Don't miss the Arundel Festival which lasts 10 days taking in the August Bank Holiday, drama, music, spectacular firework display. Tel 01903 883136 or see website
www.arundelcastle.org.uk & www.arundelfestival.co.uk
CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY & ST PHILIP HOWARD - This spectacular Roman Catholic Cathedral was built between 1869 and 1873 by the 15th Duke of Norfolk. Corpus Christi-Carpet of Flowers, 93ft carpet of fresh flowers for 2 days 60 days after Easter. Tel 01903 882297.
ARUNDEL GHOST EXPERIENCE - A ghostly walk around the old prison cells with Ghost stories from Arundel and the local area. Tel 01903 889821.
ARUN RIVER CRUISES - What could be nicer than messing about on the River! In high season boats cruise up river to The Black Rabbit Inn or further on to Amberley. Self drive motor boats are also available to hire. Tel 01903 882609.
SWANBOURNE LAKE - Very popular lake within Arundel Park, great for little ones to feed the ducks, rowing boats to hire (seasonal), miles of beautiful parkland. Great spot for a picnic or there is a cafe and ice cream kiosk. Tel 01903 882609.
WILDFOWL & WETLANDS CENTRE - With 60 acres of ponds, lakes and reedbeds, WWT Arundel is a 'twitchers paradise'. Over 1000 of the worlds most spectacular ducks, geese and swans can be found here. Tel 01903 883355.
www.wwt.org.uk
ACTIVITIES - Horse riding, fishing, sea fishing, windsurfing - all can be arranged locally. Swimming is available at the open air Lido (high season), or about 4 miles away at Littlehampton Swimming Centre or sea. Littlehampton beach is safe and shallow, pebbles at high tide but lots of sand further out. Traditional bucket & spade, ice cream & wasp day out! If it rains, try the Look & Sea Visitor Centre, family fun with panoramic views of Littlehampton town, harbour and sand dunes of picturesque West Beach.
FURTHER AFIELD - Of course there are lots of lovely villages along the Downs to explore. The National Trust cares for large areas of South Downs, countryside and coastal, including Cissbury Ring and Birling Gap near the Seven Sisters. Chichester has the Festival Theatre, Cathedral, Canal boat trips, Butterfly Farm & much more. But if you want a specific destination for a day out here are a few ideas :
AMBERLEY WORKING MUSEUM - A 36 acre working museum with traditional craftspeople on site, working narrow-gauge railway & vintage bus collection. Lots for children to explore. Tel 01798 83137.
www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
WEALD & DOWNLAND OPEN AIR MUSEUM - Step back in time, over 40 restored and re-located historic buildings set in 50 acres of beautiful downland. Working water mill. Special events throughout the year with historic breeds & shire horses. Tel 01243 811348.
www.wealddown.co.uk
GOODWOOD HOUSE - Stunning Regency house near Chichester, location of the hugely popular Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival motorsport extravaganzas. Tel 01243 755005.
www.goodwood.co.uk
FISHBOURNE ROMAN PALACE - Remains of the largest known Roman residence in Britain. Beautiful mosaics, museum, recreated Roman garden and Roman gardening museum. Tel 01243 785859.
www.sussexpast.co.uk
TANGMERE MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM - Sited on the former Battle of Britain airfield, this museum tells the story of 80 years of flying with aircraft, documents and personal stories from pilots, navigators and ground crew. Hunter, Meteor plus many more. Tel 01243 775223.
www.tangmere-museum.org.uk
THE SOUTH DOWNS PLANETARIUM - The Sir Patrick Moore Building, Kingsham Farm near Chichester. Occasional shows, for times and details call the information line or log onto their website. Tel 01243 774400.
www.southdowns.org.uk/sdpt
PORTSMOUTH HISTORIC DOCKYARD - HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, The Mary Rose, Royal Naval Museum plus water tours around the harbour. Ferry across the harbour to Gosport for the Submarine Museum (easier & quicker than driving). Tel 02392 861533.
www.historicdockyard.co.uk
FANCY A DAY AT THE RACES ? - Both Goodwood & Fontwell race courses have regular meetings. Call or log on for details. Glorious Goodwood in July. Tel 01243 755022.
www.fontwellpark.co.uk & www.goodwood.co.uk
HOUSES & GARDENS :
PETWORTH HOUSE & GARDENS - One of several National Trust properties in the area, famously landscaped by 'Capability Brown'. A veritable treasure house of priceless paintings and sculptures, but even more remarkable are the preserved kitchens, with row after row of glinting copper pans. Very Upstairs, Downstairs! Tel 01798 342207.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth
Other National Trust properties nearby include Nymans, Sheffield Park and Wakehurst Place.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/westsussex
PARHAM HOUSE & GARDEN - Beautiful Elizabethan house with important paintings & needlework collection. Set within an ancient deer park, there is a 4 acre walled garden plus 11 acres of stunning gardens to explore. The childrens house is a delight. Tel 01903 742021.
www.parhaminsussex.co.uk
WEST DEAN GARDENS - Classic nineteenth-century designed landscape with walled kitchen garden containing 16 restored Victorian glass houses. Extensive grounds including 49 acre St. Roche's Arboretum. Special events during the year. Tel 01243 811301.
www.westdean.org.uk
DENMANS GARDENS - Garden of renowned garden designer and writer John Brookes including quiet sitting areas, a dry gravel 'stream', a walled garden and pond. Year round interest through the use of forms, colour and texture. Cafe & Plant Centre. Tel 01243 542808.
www.denmans-garden.co.uk
For general information on things going on in and around Arundel you may find the following websites useful :
www.arundel.org.uk
www.sussexbythesea.com
www.bestofarundel.co.uk
www.visitsussex.org