Things to do in Arundel

A market town steeped in history, Arundel is a real jewel on the West Sussex coast. While the jaw-dropping castle and cathedral might be the main tourist attractions, there’s plenty to enjoy in this charming town nestled on the banks of the River Arun just a few miles from the south coast. The town’s rich history is ably served by several excellent museums including the Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, which brings to life the region’s industrial heritage via a series of recreated scenes, while the 10-day Arundel Festival every August is a regional highlight, bringing together art, culture, live music, comedy, street food, poetry and more.

As befits a popular tourist town, Arundel has an extensive range of eating out options, most of which are contained around the High Street and Tarrant Street, just a short walk over the River Arun from our Arundel hotel. From bespoke burgers to tapas joints, romantic Italians to several excellent coffee shops known for their home-baked scones, you’re never far from your next culinary adventure. And there are plenty of upmarket taverns, bars and cosy village pubs to unwind in after a hard day exploring the stunning medieval castle and the Gothic-style cathedral.

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Activities

History looms large in Arundel, with the stunning castle and cathedral taking pride of place in the heart of the town. There’s plenty for museum-buffs in Arundel as well, thanks to the Arundel Museum and Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, while the 10-day Arundel Festival is a must-do for anyone visiting in August.

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Entertainment

You can literally dive into Arundel’s entertainment scene thanks to the town’s lido, the last-remaining, open-air heated pool in West Sussex. Alternatively, try Harbour Park and its rollercoasters and rides, or head to the Priory Playhouse to see the Arundel Players in action at the historic theatre.

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Places to eat

If there’s one thing the historic town of Arundel does very, very well, it’s cosy tearooms alive with the smell of freshly baked scones and clotted cream. But with fine-dining, Indian and Italian options, there are plenty of options all just a short walk from our Arundel hotel.

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Nightlife

Arundel might be relatively small, but its nightlife scene packs a healthy punch thanks to an array of traditional pubs, restored country taverns and cutting-edge modern bars serving up everything from local beers to fine wines and bespoke cocktails.

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Shopping

Running on the third Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm, the Arundel Farmers Market covers a wide range of food, drink, plants, herbs, gifts and more. Importantly, all the local produce has been grown, produced or reared within a 40-mile radius of Arundel, meaning you’re supporting local business. The busy market takes over the Town Square, Town Quay and Jubilee Gardens and hosts dozens of stalls selling everything from organic dog biscuits to sausage rolls, small-batch beer, fresh shellfish and more.

Housed in a Victorian-themed shopping area, The Old Print Works Shopping Arcade is a collection of shops, stores and boutiques. Inside the Tarrant Street arcade, you can shop for vintage vinyl, retro clothes, old-fashioned gifts and get your nails done, with plenty of nearby cafés and restaurants including The Parsons Table and Moat Gate.

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Getting Around

Gatwick is the nearest airport to Arundel, with the 40-mile journey taking around 45 minutes by car or around 50 minutes via a direct train service. The second-busiest UK airport, Gatwick services nearly 50 million passengers each year flying across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world via a wide array of airlines. To simplify your journey even more, you could stay the night before you travel at one of our hotels near Gatwick Airport.

If you’re travelling by train, you’ll most likely need to use Arundel Train Station just south of the town centre and a short walk from our Arundel hotel. The two-platform station runs regular services to London Victoria, Gatwick, Southampton and

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Shopping in Arundel

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Getting Around Arundel

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