Tourist Guide for Arundel in West Sussex
Historic Market Town Near South Coast of England
Aug 21, 2008
Approaching Arundel from the south the weary traveller is met with a memorable view, the ancient market town's skyline dominated by its castle and cathedral. Nestling on a hillside in West Sussex, Arundel offers a great location for a weekend away or a base to explore the south coast.
History
Arundel traces its roots back to Roman times, and at one point was a busy trading port. The River Arun passes through the town, but the trading ships are long gone. Instead the riverfront is a place for relaxing walks and a haven for wildlife.
Accommodation
There is accommodation to suit every budget, from plush hotels to self-catering cottages. Restaurants and eateries are just as diverse, offering various cuisine from around the world alongside traditional British dishes. For such a small town there are a surprisingly large number of public houses, many very traditional. Some of these have live music on a regular basis. Arundel also has an annual festival each August which attracts music stars from a variety of genres, performing concerts in the castle grounds. Previous acts include Lesley Garrett, Georgie Fame, Level 42 and a production of, 'The Barber of Seville', with 40-piece orchestra.
Shopping
The town itself oozes old world charm, with narrow streets and timbered buildings. Shops are plentiful and diverse. There are several antique and curio shops along with an old shopping arcade, where specialists sell everything from walking sticks to military memorabilia.
Walking
Arundel's location, on the southern edge of the South Downs, means that the town is surrounded by countryside. There is a selection of scenic walks, taking in panoramic views of the region. A walk along Mill Lane takes in Swanbourne Lake, with its picturesque lodge and a variety of wildlife. On the same route is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Conservation Centre. Further along is the riverside pub The Black Rabbit. For those not wishing to walk there are also river cruises available from Arundel.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors may like to arrange their holiday to coincide with an event at nearby Goodwood. The horse-racing course is world famous, especially for the Glorious Goodwood festival, held each August. Nearby Goodwood House is the home of Lord March. It is open to the public between March and October and sits in a tranquil setting. The tranquillity is shattered each July, however, when the grounds are turned over to motor racing for the world renowned Goodwood Festival of Speed. The event attracts the cream of cars and drivers from around the world. In September the focus moves to the Goodwood racing circuit, restored to how it looked in its 1960's heyday, for the annual Goodwood Revival meeting.
How to Get There
Arundel has a train station with frequent services to and from Gatwick Airport. Southampton Airport is also a short train ride away. By car it is situated just off the A27, between Chichester and Worthing.
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