What to See in Arundel West Sussex England

Arundel is a beautiful old town just outside Chichester in West Sussex. It is famous for Arundel Castle and Arundel Cathedral.

These are both very statuses buildings and give a lovely view coming into Arundel or driving past.

Arundel is a quaint little town beside the River Arun with beautiful scenery, independent shops and lovely cafes and restaurants.

What is there to see in Arundel?

Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle is the main feature of Arundel. The original castle dates back to 1067 and belonged to Earl of Arundel. It was built to protect the mouth of the River Arun and to protect Sussex from attack.

Between 1870 and 1890 the castle was almost completely rebuilt. Apart from the gatehouse, barbican and the lower part of the Bevis Tower.

This is how it can be seen today, all the features from when it was rebuilt. It has a grand Victorian gothic style. Today the castle belongs to the Duke of Norfolk.

The castle can be viewed from the end of March through to the end of October. It is closed to the public between November to the end of March.

There are car parks in Arundel, but they are not huge, so bear that in mind if driving and arrive early to get a parking place. Especially at weekends and school holidays.

There are different tickets to see different rooms in the castle. If you have not been there before I recommend buying a ticket to see all the rooms that are viewable by the pubic as the castle is very grand inside and is fascinating to see.

The manicured gardens that surround the castle are beautiful to walk around, as there are different themes. There are special events that take place at the castle so always check online before you plan your trip there to see if there is a special event when you go.

Arundel Cathedral

Arundel Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral and has dramatic gothic architecture. It is on top on the hill and towers over the town along with the castle.

Arundel Museum

The Arundel Museum is by the carpark and has lots of history about Arundel. Their friendly staff are on hand to give you a wealth of local knowledge about Arundel and the surrounding areas.

Arun River

The Arun River runs through the town and is nice to walk along on or take boat trip down. There are pubs and restaurants on the water to have a relaxing drink or meal.

Arundel Town Centre

The town centre of Arundel is a pretty area to walk around. Look at all the old buildings, have a stroll around the shops and stop for coffee or lunch.

Where to Eat in Arundel

There are lots of great cafes and restaurants. My favourite café/restaurant is Pappardelle. It is an Italian café/restaurant; downstairs is a café perfect for coffee or light lunch and upstairs is the restaurant with amazing Italian food perfect for lunch or dinner.

Where to Shop in Arundel

All the shops are lovely in Arundel as they are all independents. It is a great place to find something different.

My favourite shop in Arundel is Gray’s of Tarrant Street. It is a shoe and accessories shop with a beautiful selection of seasonal shoes and accessories and it is very different from anything you would find on the high street.

How to Get to Arundel

To get to Arundel from London you can take the train from London Victoria to Arundel. From the train station it is a ten minute walk into the town centre. If you are driving, it is on the A27 between Portsmouth and Brighton.

You may also enjoy reading about Chichester and Singleton.

Essential Info

• Weather: Winter: 3 – 11*C Spring: 6 – 10*C  Summer: 16* – 21*C
• Wear comfortable shoes as it is mainly walking up hill.
• Arrive early if driving to get a parking space.
• Public toilets cost 20p to use by the carpark
• Language: English
• Currency: Pound Sterling

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