Arundel Tourist Information Castle Cathedral Museum Arundel West Sussex UK

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Beautiful and historic Arundel is a West Sussex favourite with visitors and one of the most popular holiday locations in Sussex. Nestling alongside the River Arun within the South Downs AONB and boasting the spectacular Arundel Castle and Arundel Cathedral, Arundel's narrow character streets are lined with historic buildings, fine restaurants, cafes, country inns and chic specialist shops.

Attractions are numerous in and around Arundel and families will feel more than at home here. The 11th century Arundel Castle is not to be missed alongside the Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, the Arundel Museum, the mighty gothic Victorian cathedral, the Arundel Ghost Experience and the acclaimed Arundel Festival and Concerts. Every third Saturday of the month Arundel holds its farmers market and the town's fine restaurants including hotspots such as the Black Rabbit pub along the River Arun are some of the best in Sussex.

Around Arundel find more outstanding attractions including the Amberley Working Museum set within 136 acres of the South Downs with on-site Narrow Gauge Railway, nature trails and heritage craft workshops. Sussex is one of the UK's top county's for racecourses and Arundel is within easy reach of popular Fontwell Park Racecourse. Take a River Cruise from Arundel Boatyard to Amberley Village and the museum or south to the mouth of the River Arun at family favourite Littlehampton. Walking and horse riding are within easy reach in the Downs and look to Chalk Springs within the Duke of Norfolk's Estate for top fly fishing and tuition in Arundel. The grounds and gardens cover 40 acres in all.

Arundel Visitor Centre, 1-3 Crown Yard Mews, River Road, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AJ. Tel. 01903 882268. Open from Good Friday/Easter to Early November from Tuesdays to Sundays inclusive of August Mondays and Bank Holiday Mondays. See Arundel Castle's webguide for specific opening times for the 14th century Fitzalan Chapel, Gardens, Grounds, Restaurant, Keep, Castle Rooms and on-site gift shop and restaurant. For the Arundel Ghost Experience contact Arundel Town Hall, Duke's Path Entrance, High Street, Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ. Tel. 01903 889821. (see the Ghost Tour's webguide for details).

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Arundel Castle, Stately Home & Gardens

Founded originally in 1067, the elevated Arundel Castle is both masterpiece of the Victorian Gothic and an outstanding example of various Norman features which survive including the Keep, Gatehouse and Barbican and the lower section of the Bevis Tower. From its hill top position spectacular views of the meandering River Arun and the South Downs can be seen from Arundel Castle. Extensive stunning gardens surround it and a stately home is also on-site.

The Dukes of Norfolk have resided here at Arundel Castle for over 900 years dating from Roger de Montgomery, the Earl of Arundel's construction of the castle at the end of the 11th century. The castle's oldest features include the motte mound dating from 1068 and the spectacular gatehouse dating from 1070.

A breathtaking collection of treasures sit within the castle spanning almost a 1000 years of history. Highlights include portraits by Gainsborough, Mytens, Reynolds and Canaletto and certain personal items of Mary Queen of Scots including a prayer book and rosary beads. The commissioned portrait by William Fowler of Queen Victoria who visited Arundel Castie with Prince Albert in 1846, is also fascinating. It was Henry, the 15th Duke of Norfolk (1847-1917) who was responsible for the mammoth restoration project between the 1870s and 1890s which essentially turned Arundel Castle into one of Britain's great Gothic Victorian buildings which gives the castle a uniquely 'fairytale' look. The on-site gardens are equally lavish and include a peach house, vinery, rose garden, an 18th century bowling green and new Jacobean formal garden.

Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB. Tel. 01903 882173.

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Arundel Cathedral

Two striking structures greet you as you approach Arundel from any direction - Arundel Castle and the spectaular French Gothic Arundel Cathedral. Built from honey beige Bath stone and founded by Henry the 15th Duke of Norfolk (responsible also for the gothic transformation of Arundel Castle), Arundel Cathedral was completed in July 1873 and is part of the Catholic Diocese.

On the exterior the ornate west facade with its mighty rose stained glass window contains stunning sculptures of Christ with the apostles and below those a statue of Mary and child. Move inside to discover more striking features including the tall and narrow nave with six bays and vaulted ceiling.

You'll note various features denoting St Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel born in 1557 -for example he features in stained glass windows and in the shrine within the north transept. St Philip died in the Tower of London in 1595 when held there as a prisoner. As a Catholic he had been accused of wishing victory for the Spanish Armada. The cathedral is today dedicated to him.

Arundel Cathedral is particularly famous for its annual Corpus Christi event in late May/early June. A carpet of flowers are spread along the central aisle of the cathedral. Influenced by customs in the Italian church, Duke Henry again first introduced this practice in 1877. Arundel Cathedral, Cathedral House, Parsons Hill, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AY. Tel. 01903 882297. When services are not taking placed the cathedral is usually open to visitors.

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Arundel Museum

Temporarily located in the Museum's History Store within Mill Road car park opposite Arundel Castle's entrance, the Arundel Museum is where to head to dig deep into Arundel's history particularly during the Medieval and Victorian periods.

The museum plans to offer a series of new guided walks during the summer season including topics such as Medieval Arundel, Hidden Arundel, The Port of Arundel and Historic Pub Crawl. See the museum's webguide for details and forthcoming dates for walks. Exhibitions have included a focus on Arundel's Victorian Architects and Queen Victoria's visit to Arundel. Events and talks are held through the year, listed via the website.

Arundel Museum and Heritage Centre, c/o The Town Hall, Maltravers Street, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AP. Open daily at the Mill Road Car Park site from 11am to 3pm during Summer from Easter to Sept-end. During Winter open from 11am to 1pm October to Good Friday. Admission is Free!

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Arundel Festival & Concerts

Ten full days of the best of theatre, music, art and comedy feature in the annual late August Arundel Festival centred around Arundel Castle.

Recent artists appearing in the Arundel Festival have included the Brighton band The Levellers, the Yorkshire born soprano Lesley Garrett and the ever popular Shakespeare performances including recently A Midsummer Nights Dream.

Early booking is always recommended as the Arundel Festival, with firework finales and picnic open style concerts is incredibly popular. The castle also plays host to frequent opera performances and alongside the Arundel Festival runs the Arundel Gallery Trail displaying artwork from established artists and new talent around Arundel venues.

Arundel Festival, Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AB. Tel. 01903 882173. See the Festival's webguide for forthcoming dates and concerts.

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