Things to do in Arundel
Arundel is a picture-perfect market town located on the west side of the Arun Valley where it gives way to the river. This lesser-known gem of the south is almost fairy-tale in its beauty and is dominated by its magnificent castle.
Arundel’s hilly town centre may be small but it’s packed with scenic Georgian and Victorian houses, unusual independent shops and plenty of recreational opportunities. It’s a great place for art lovers who will revel in the galleries and studios, as well as at the thriving arts festival at the end of August. However, there are plenty of other options in Arundel including both historical and natural wonders, all of which can be reached within a 15-mile drive from our fantastic Haven Church Farm Holiday Park. We’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Arundel to help you plan a day of activities for you and your family.
Attend a festival
Each year Arundel plays host to some of the liveliest events in Sussex, these include Arundel Food Festival, the Cathedral’s Feast of Corpus Christi and the magnificent Carpet of Flowers. However, the crowning glory has to be the Arundel Festival of the Arts which has now been going for almost 50 years. At the end of August, you can enjoy local art, theatre, culture, food, and drink in the historic West Sussex town. The Dragon Boat Racing, Duck Race, and Street Entertainment are also particularly popular and blend well with Arundel’s vibrant café culture. If you can make your visit coincide with festival season then you’re onto a winner.
Arundel Castle
Address: Arundel BN18 9AB
Towering over the town and offering stunning views of the Sussex countryside, Arundel castle is housed within a crenelated Norman keep, complete with a gatehouse and barbican. Parts of it have stood since the 11th-century, serving as the ancestral home of the Dukes of Norfolk, it is one of England’s oldest and most complete castles. Enjoy a guided tour to see the suits of armour, clocks and ancient tapestries that are on display outside or otherwise enjoy one of the events put on by the castle offering something different for every visit including medieval jousting.
Collector Earl’s Garden
Address: Arundel BN18 9AB
If you make the trip to Arundel Castle, then a visit to these gardens is obligatory too. Featuring charming water fountains, rills depicting the local river Arun, beautiful green oak Pagodas and Oberon's Palace with its spectacular floating crown and water grotto, these gardens are truly unique. You’ll find any number of intriguing vistas and quirky designs to capture with your camera. Admission to The Collector Earl’s Garden is included in the Castle’s admission price so there’s no reason to miss out.
Arundel Cathedral
Address: London Rd, Arundel BN18 9AY
Overlooking the historic market town is a magnificent Victorian Gothic cathedral that could have been teleported here from northern France. Despite being completed in the 19th-century, Arundel Cathedral was originally the Church of St Philip Neri and only renamed in 1965. This means that Arundel is one of the only cathedral destinations not classified as a city. However, the cathedral is still a wonderful piece of architecture and will reward visitors with glorious rib vaults and magnificent stained-glass windows.
Arundel Museum
Address: Mill Rd, Arundel BN18 9PA
Learn about Arundel, the town, its port, and castle as well as its people at this little gem of a museum. You can discover Arundel’s story through photos and story boards as well as a range of artefacts from throughout history such as grandfather clocks, Second World War memorabilia, an old printing press and even prehistoric finds dating back 3000 years.
There’s also a museum shop and cafe that serves tea, Lavazza coffee and biscuits. Those planning to visit Arundel Castle should also note that you will receive a discount voucher, allowing you to enter the museum for half price.
Arundel Farmers’ Market
Address: High St, Arundel BN18 9AJ
Arundel Farmers Market is the place to go for fine British food and drink, artisan products and goods from local producers. The market is held on the lower High Street on the 3rd Saturday of every month, from 9am to 1pm. Local growers, bakers, butchers, and florists all gather to sell their high-quality products at reasonable prices. Arundel Farmers Market has a great reputation as a friendly market so don’t miss out the chance to taste the best food and drink and freshest ingredients that Sussex has to offer.
WWT Arundel
Address: Mill Rd, Arundel BN18 9PB
WWT Arundel is one of just ten reserves managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, located in an area of wetland just north-east of Arundel Castle. The reserve spans 60 acres of wetland and is home to a great variety of swans, ducks and geese with other wildlife also in abundance! Tickets are around £14 with a donation, but the facilities are fantastic and the natural beauty of the landscape alone is well worth the price of admission.
Hiorne Tower Arundel
Address: Arundel BN18 9AU
Built in 1797 by Francis Hiorne, this folly stands alone in an open landscape of fields. The mock castle is surrounded by well-maintained walking paths with really excellent views so it’s a great place to take the dogs. We particularly recommend the walk down to Swanbourne Lake and following the footpath toward Mill Lane Road. There’s free parking along the main road at the bottom so access shouldn’t be a problem.
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Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.