Entertainment in Arundel

With the sun beating down on the south coast, there can be few finer places to be than sat basking in the warm glow at Arundel Lido, the last of its kind in West Sussex. Open from May to September, the heated, life-guard-protected pools are surrounded by open lawns, shaded areas, picnic tables, loungers and parasols, making it the perfect place to lounge away the day. There’s also a large adventure playground, café and shop that even sells swimming nappies if you’ve forgotten yours. Located on the banks of the River Arun opposite the museum, the lido is just a five-minute walk from our Arundel hotel.

Aimed at children aged 2 to 14, Harbour Park is a fun-filled family day out packed with rides, attractions, activities and more. A short walk from Littlehampton Pier, the amusement park has nearly 20 rides including rollercoasters, waltzers and go-karts, plus an indoor soft play area, mini adventure golf course, trampolines and a small lake with bumper boats. Thanks to an array of indoor attractions, the park is open year-round with the outdoor rides largely open from April to September, but do check ahead for specific opening times. There are plenty of places to eat and drink on-site, including doughnut stands, ice cream stalls and several cafés and restaurants. Entry to the park is free, with a pay-as-you-ride policy and cheaper tickets available online.

The leading theatre group in the area, the Arundel Players have been running since 1977 in the western wing of the 13th-century priory on London Road, now named the Priory Playhouse. After helping restore the building, the dedicated cast of volunteers now put on half a dozen productions each year spanning original productions as well as classic plays. Located on London Road a short walk from the castle, the theatre has its own bar open on show nights, with plenty of nearby cafés and restaurants nearby, including the recommended India Gate.