Arundel is a historical town in West Sussex in the South East of England.
Understand
Arundel sits at the midpoint of the South Downs, and is named after the River Arun, which passes through the western part of the town. The town is steeped in history, and was mentioned in the Norman Domesday Book.
Get in
By car
Arundel is on the main coast road through West Sussex, the A27, which runs east to Worthing, Brighton and Hove, and west to Chichester, Portsmouth and Southampton. The A284 links Arundel to nearby Littlehampton to the south and London via the A29.
By train
Arundel is on the Arun Valley Line (also known as the Mid Sussex Line). Direct trains are available from London Victoria, Gatwick Airport, Southampton, Portsmouth, Chichester and Bognor Regis. West Coastway Line services from Brighton, Worthing and Littlehampton will usually require changing at Barnham or sometimes Ford. From Epsom, Leatherhead and Dorking it will be necessary to change at Horsham.
Get around
Arundel is very compact, and you can easily discover its charms on foot, although the High Street is set on a very steep hill. Take your time and make the climb up the hill via St Nicholas Church to the Cathedral, well worth the climb.
By bus
The town is served by buses operated by Stagecoach and Compass Travel.
By taxi
There is taxi rank at Arundel Station and information can be found at Arundel Visitor Information Centre.
See
- 1 Arundel Castle, ☏ +44 1903 882173, info@arundelcastle.org. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. 11th-century castle and gardens. One of the most complete and impressive castles remaining in Britain. Also host special events such as jousting, Shakespeare, period combat tournaments where additional charges may apply. £9.00 for adults, £7.50 for keep and gardens only.
- 2 Zimmer Stewart Gallery, Tarrant Street, ☏ +44 1903 885867, info@zimmerstewart.co.uk. Established in 2003 this contemporary art gallery shows new and established artists in a rolling programme of 8-10 exhibitions each year.
- 3 Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, Station Road, Amberley, BN18 9LT (next door to Amberley Railway Station), ☏ +44 1798 831370, office@amberleymuseum.co.uk. Industrial heritage centre in a rural 36 acres (15 hectares) disused chalk quarry with heritage bus and rail transport and traditional craftsmen.
Do
- 1 Arundel Wetland Centre, Mill Road BN18 9PB (about a mile down Mill Road at the east end of the town just north of the River Arun), ☏ +44 1903 883 355, info.arundel@wwt.org.uk. Winter 9:30AM-4:30PM; Summer 9:30AM-5:30PM. Wetland wildlife park with walks, talks and a variety of native and exotic species with a boat safari included. Very wheelchair/pushchair friendly. £11.18 adult; £5.64 child (4-16).
- 2 Arundel Cathedral (Cathedral Church of Our Lady and St Philip Howard), London Road, ☏ +44 1903 882297, aruncath1@aol.com. Founded by Henry, 15th Duke of Norfolk, the building was completed on 1 July 1873 to the designs of Joseph Hansom, inventor of the Hansom cab. All are welcome to pray, meditate, contemplate or simply view the architecture Free; donation to upkeep welcome.
- 3 Arundel Lido, Queen Street, BN18 9JG (by car: use Fizalan Pool Car Park off of the Causeway; on foot: use the alley on Queen St just south of the river crossing), ☏ +44 1903 884 772, manager@arundel-lido.com. Generally May to early September: M-F noon-6PM, Sa Su noon-7PM. Outdoor main, entry and child swimming pools in landscaped grounds with refreshments Adult day ticket £7; concessions and cheaper sessions available.
- 4 Chalk Springs Trout Fishery, Park Bottom BN18 0AA (immediately to the right on a small road between two lodges after the final roundabout on the A27 Arundel by-pass westbound), ☏ +44 1903 883742, enquiries@chalksprings.com. 8AM-dusk. Rainbow and brown trout fly fishery and farm in woodland valley. Pre-booking recommended as spaces limited. Fresh trout also sometimes sold, again best to call first. From £25 with two fish limit.
- 5 Swanbourne Lodge and Lake (about 1 km down Mill Road), ☏ +44 1903 884 293. Tea Lodge, 1,000 acres (400 hectares) park and rowing boat hire March-September (weather permitting)
- 6 Arundel Museum, Mill Road, BN18 9PA (mill round is off the roundabout at the lower end of the high street, the museum is on the right), ☏ +1903 885 866, office@arundelmuseum.org. 10AM-4PM. Local collections of Arundel history from Roman times to present including clockmaking, horseracing, railwayana from Ford and children experiences. £3.50 adult.
- 7 Mill Road Leisure Putting and Tea Room, Mill Road, BN18 9PA. April to September. Putting green and tea room.
- 8 Waterside Cafe and Boat Hire, Mill Road, BN18 9PA, ☏ +44 7908 159173. Waterside café with view of river Arun with small boat hire available
Buy
Buy art and antiques - Arundel is full of antique shops and galleries.
- 1 [dead link] Nineveh House (Arundel Arts, Craft & Antiques Market), Tarrant Street, BN18 9NJ, robinkoolbird@hotmail.com. 10AM-5PM. Antiques market in the former Trinity Chapel, early Victorian building - 1837 to 1981 - raised by the Congregational Dissenters under the Rev Orlando Thomas Dobbin to replace the Old Chapel two doors down (now Larkin's Supermarket).
Eat
Arundel has many places to eat dotted about the town, particularly around the High Street, Tarrant Street and Queen Street.
- 1 White Hart, 12 Queen Street (if you're approaching Arundel from the train station, the pub is on your right hand side, just before you reach the river), ☏ +44 1903 882374. Real ale and pub food, reports of dodgy pints have been heard.
- 2 Pizza Express, 33 High Street, ☏ +44 1903 885467.
- 3 China Palace, 67 High Street, ☏ +44 1903 883702. This Chinese restaurant is slightly on the higher priced range, but is known throughout the area for its high quality food and polite service.
Drink
Arundel has many pubs around the town:
- 1 The Eagle, 41 Tarrant Street. Pub with food and noted for live music.
- 2 The Kings Arms, 36 Tarrant Street. Traditional free house pub with real ales, opened circa 1625.
- The Norfolk Arms Hotel, 22 High Street.
- 3 The Red Lion, 45 High Street, BN18 9AG (Corner with Tarrant Street), ☏ +44 1903 882 214, admin@redlionarundel.com. Traditional English pub with local food, ales and a beer garden
- 4 The St. Mary's Gate, London Road, BN18 9BA (Near King Street west of the Cathedral), ☏ +44 1903 883 145, stmarysgate@outlook.com. A traditional pub with food, drink and a few B&B rooms.
- 5 The Swan Hotel, 27-29 High Street, BN18 9AG, ☏ +44 1903 882314, swanhotel.arundel@fullers.co.uk. Pub and restaurant with 14-bedroom accommodation.
- 6 The Black Rabbit, Mill Road, BN18 9PB (past the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust), ☏ +44 1903 882 638, blackrabbit.arundel@hall-woodhouse.co.uk. Pub and restaurant with riverside views of the Arun.
Sleep
- 1 The Norfolk Arms, High Street, BN18 9AB, ☏ +44 1903 882101, reservations.norfolk@sjhotels.co.uk. Restaurant and bar with 33 Bedrooms from standard doubles to superior suites. From £45.
- 2 Comfort Inn, Crossbush BN17 7QQ (take A284 towards Littlehampton just off junction with A27), ☏ +44 1903 840840. Modern hotel with 53 en-suite rooms, breakfast/bar area.
- 3 Amberley Castle, BN18 9LT, ☏ +44 1798 831992, info@amberleycastle.co.uk. Provides luxury rooms in an exclusive environment. A table for lunch, tea or dinner can be reserved by non-residents but children must be over 8 and well behaved.
- 4 Premier Inn, Crossbush Lane, Crossbush, BN18 9PQ (Behind Crossbush Beefeater), ☏ +44 871 527 8022. Premier Inn with free onsite parking.
- 5 Old Railway Station, Station Rd, Petworth GU28 0JF, ☏ +44 1798 342346. All aboard! The railway station was built to take the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII) to his amusements, and today two rooms are in the station and 8 in Pullman coaches (not suitable with impaired mobility). No children under 10 or dogs. B&B double £150.
- The Town House, 65 High St, Arundel BN18 9AJ, ☏ +44 1903 883847. Restaurant with five rooms in a Regency town house gets great reviews for comfort and cuisine. Assistance dogs only. B&B double £100.
Go next
Other places of interest in the Arundel area:
- Littlehampton
- The South Downs
- The village of Amberley.
- Littlehampton seaside town, located only four miles away. Regular bus service to and from Littlehampton available.
Routes through Arundel |
Portsmouth ← Chichester ← | W E | → Worthing → Brighton |