If you’re looking for a charming market town with a stylish vibe, Arundel in the South Downs might just be what you are looking for. Our guide covers the best things to do, where to stay and walks from the town.
You’ll often hear Arundel described as England’s most picturesque town. While many villages could be bestowed with this title, Arundel has all the right ingredients to make it a strong contender.
There’s a towering medieval castle rising above tiny streets, an imposing cathedral, Georgian architecture, antique shops, rolling countryside and a meandering river.
But Arundel also has great coffee, cool restaurants, a local farmers’ market and some wonderful walks right from the centre of town.
It’s one of our top places to visit in England, and we think anyone interested in historic towns, traditional pubs and country getaways will find something they love in Arundel.
Best Things to Do in Arundel
1. Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle has been the home to the Dukes of Norfolk for over 850 years, and it’s one of the best medieval castles in England.
The oldest part of the castle is the Norman Keep, which was built shortly after the Norman Conquest. The views from the top, with the River Arun sweeping past the countryside, are well worth the entry ticket.
Inside, it’s lavish Victorian interiors; outside, the formal gardens are beautiful. Although the gardens and rooms are beautiful, there are a lot of activities for kids.
The castle is only open from April to November. The gardens are open from 10 am to 5 pm and the rooms from 12 pm to 5 pm. Check the latest opening times and prices on the Arundel Castle website.
2. Wander the Historic Town
The historic town of Arundel is both attractive and loaded with shops we actually find interesting – something slightly rare for us.
Narrow streets are lined with independent boutiques, antique shops, galleries, great cafés and traditional pubs. Generally we would say the food is above average for a market town in England.
Start at the High Street to admire the beautiful Georgian houses, then wander down Tarrant Street, which is possibly the prettiest street in the town. It’s full of period cottages, antique dealers and small boutiques.
3. Visit Arundel Cathedral
Arundel Cathedral is one of England’s most impressive Gothic Revival churches. The building was completed in 1873 and features soaring spires, elaborate stonework, vaulted ceilings, and intricate stained-glass windows.
Like most churches in England, you can step inside for free, provided there is no service underway.
The most impressive vantage point, however, is from outside, where the elevated position dominates the rest of the town.
4. Swanbourne Lake
Swanbourne Lake is a lovely, peaceful spot around a 10-minute walk from the centre of town, surrounded by mature trees and rolling parkland.
There is a wonderful flat path around the lake, making it a very easy stroll for all abilities.
During spring and summer you can hire rowing boats and spend an hour on the lake or, if you’re feeling less energetic – as we were – you can just grab an ice cream from the lakeside café.
From the lake you can continue on to Arundel Park, which has a series of footpaths that take you out into the open countryside.
Plan your trip with our detailed England guides including towns, cities & countryside.
5. Walk Along the River Arun
Without a doubt, the highlight of Arundel is the River Arun, which snakes its way past the castle and the town. There are plenty of riverside walks you can take which give the best view of the castle.
Start from the bridge on Mill Road, then follow the riverside path towards the Wetland Centre. This route is mostly flat and easy to follow with plenty of places to stop and enjoy the views.
If you are looking for a longer walk, we recommend a loop to South Stoke, which we cover further on in this guide.
6. Arundel Wetland Centre
The WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, located just a short walk from the town, is set on 65 acres of lakes, reedbeds and marshland. There’s a network of accessible paths and boardwalks where you can spot kingfishers, herons, ducks and geese.
There are also seasonal safari boats with guides that will help you spot wildlife in the meandering waterways.
The Arundel Wetland Centre is open every day from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
7. Arundel Museum
If you want to learn more about the town’s history, the Arundel Museum provides a great introduction to how this small market town developed over the centuries.
The museum covers everything from the construction of the castle to the influence of the Dukes of Norfolk and how they capitalised on the town’s inland port on the river.
You don’t need long to have a look around, but the museum is staffed by local volunteers who will be happy to share recommendations for other things to do in Arundel.
8. Browse the Independent Shops
If there’s one thing we don’t love about towns in England, it’s the abundance of chain stores piled into the high street.
Arundel is different, and the independent stores are one of the main things we love about the town, even though we wouldn’t describe ourselves as shoppers.
As mentioned above, the best streets are High Street and Tarrant Street, but wander down small lanes and courtyards, and you’ll find plenty of surprises.
Nineveh House is a converted Victorian Chapel on Tarrant Street with a collection of independent traders selling crafts, artwork and gifts.
The other thing we loved in Arundel is the farmers’ market which takes place on the third Saturday of the month.
9. Visit Amberley (or Stay There)
Amberley is a small historic village around 4 miles west of Arundel on the edge of the South Downs National Park. It’s a lovely village made up of flint cottages, thatched roofs and medieval buildings.
If you have the time, we recommend popping in for a quick visit.
The other way to see it is by staying there. Amberley Castle is a 900-year-old fortification converted into a luxury hotel. We stayed here the last time we visited Arundel, and it was a truly unique luxury experience.
We had dinner in the 12th-century Queen’s Room, which was beautiful, and the rooms are very swish.
The highlight was a hidden door in our bathroom that opened onto a secret staircase leading up to a private turret. Apparently, there are several hidden corners in the hotel.
Check prices for Amberley Castle.
10. Circular Walk to South Stoke
The final thing we really loved in Arundel was the circular walk to South Stoke via the river.
The 8-mile walk starts in the town, heads up the High Street, passes the cathedral, then enters the castle’s landscaped gardens.
The path drops to the river, which it follows to the village of South Stoke, which has a charming 11th-century church.
On the way back, we stopped at the Black Rabbit for a well-deserved pint overlooking the river.
We have all the details plus a map in our guide to the best walks near London.
Practical Information
Getting There
Arundel is easy to reach by both train and car, and it’s one of our favourite day trips from London.
By Train: Arundel station is on the Arun Valley line, with regular services from London Victoria taking around 90 minutes. The station is a 10-minute walk from the town centre.
By Car: Arundel is just off the A27 between Chichester and Worthing. The drive takes around 30 minutes from Brighton, 45 minutes from Portsmouth and 2 hours from Central London.
We would recommend going by car if you can.
Parking
There are several pay-and-display car parks within a short walk of the town centre, making Arundel easy to see by car.
- Mill Road Car Park – The most convenient option for the castle, cathedral and High Street.
- Crown Yard Car Park – Smaller but centrally located.
- Lorry Park – A good alternative on busy weekends.
How Long Do You Need?
Arundel is a compact town with enough to explore on a day trip. However, if you have longer, there’s plenty to do for a weekend.
With a full day, you can explore the castle, the cathedral, the town centre, Swanbourne Lake and the river, allowing time to peruse the shops.
Over a weekend, you could also add in a walk in the South Downs National Park, visit the wetland centre or explore nearby villages such as Amberley and Petworth.
Where to Stay in Arundel
Although it’s very doable as a day trip, we think Arundel is a great place to splurge on a long weekend.
- Amberley Castle – One of the most memorable hotels we’ve ever stayed in. Set within a 900-year-old medieval castle, it has luxurious rooms, award-winning dining, and beautiful grounds.
- The Town House – A stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Arundel with individually designed rooms.
- Norfolk Arms Hotel – Dating back to the 18th century, this pub is directly opposite the castle, making it one of the most convenient hotels in town. It has traditional rooms, an on-site restaurant and private parking.
Best Airbnbs in Arundel
If you like self-catering accommodation or you’re travelling with a group, an Airbnb is often the better way to go. Here are a few great options in Arundel.
- The Central Apartment – Stay in this beautifully appointed apartment right in the heart of Arundel, with a modern bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a washing machine.
- The Cute Cottage – Renovated Georgian cottage over three levels with accommodation for four guests. The wooden beams and log burner are perfect for a cosy stay.
- Tarrant Street Apartment – A quirky apartment over 2 floors with all the amenities you need and friendly, welcoming hosts.
Best Time to Visit
Arundel is a year-round destination, but Spring would be our favourite time to visit when the castle gardens are in bloom, and the surrounding countryside is bright green.
Summer is great for long days, outdoor dining, and the best weather, though weekends can be busy.
August is lovely with the woodland walks turning golden, and winter is quieter but a great time to cosy up in a festive pub.
Plan Your Trip with Our England Guides
Anywhere We Roam is
reader-supported
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Thanks for your support // Paul & Mark
