Introduction
At the point where the River Arun cuts through the South
Downs, lies the quiet town of Arundel. With the skyline
dominated by its castle and 'Gothic' cathedral, from a
distance Arundel has more the air of a feuding settlement
than the picturesque market town that it really is.
The Town
High Street, which is said to be the steepest in England,
rises up the southern slopes of the Downs. At the bottom
of the hill is the river, at the top the castle, and in
between are numerous picturesque shops and inns. An important
settlement in pre-Norman times, the buildings are a fascinating
mixture of old and new, with plenty of attractive facades
and fine Georgian houses. The unpretentious narrow streets
are lined with antique shops and places to dine, with
many of the buildings concealing Tudor timber-framing
and medieval foundations.
The River
The River Arun is tidal from Pulborough in the north all
the way south to the sea at Littlehampton, and the stretch
around Arundel has been owned by the Dukes of Norfolk
and their predecessors from before the Magna Carta. The
docks and warehouses on the riverbanks have gone, but
Arundel was once a busy port exporting 60,000 tons of
grain a year during the Napoleonic Wars. In its heyday,
ships were built here and in the sixteenth century, Henry
Fitzalan widened and cleared the river to improve the
town's prospects as a commercial port. Even as recently
as the 1930's, tall ships would come up river full of
coal, salt and timber; and there was once a thriving oyster
fishery based upon shellfish beds in the Channel.
In and around: Arundel
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Arundel
Castle
Situated in a glorious heavily wooded 1100-acre
(45 hectare) park, Arundel Castle's treasures include
furniture dating from the 16th century, tapestries,
paintings and a magnificent mahogany library from
the 18th century. |
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Arundel
Cathedral
Built for the fifteenth Duke of Norfolk in 1873,
the Cathedral was constructed in the French Gothic
style of 1300, with Romantic features such as pinnacles,
flying buttresses and gargoyles. |
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Arundel
Museum and Heritage Centre
Housed in an elegant Grade II listed building, splendid
exhibits and an impressive collection of photographs
illustrate the town's colourful past. Information
includes the local trades, the Port of Arundel and
the Civil War. |
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Dominican
Friary, Arundel
The remains of the friary founded in the mid-thirteenth
century can be found on the banks of the River Arun. |
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St Nicholas'
Parish Church, Arundel
Dating back to the fourteenth century, the parish
church is unusual because the chapel is reserved
for Roman Catholic services. Built on the site of
an eleventh-century church, a stone set into the
flintwork bearing a pattern of four crosses is all
survives of the original building. |
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Swanbourne Lake
Originally a millpond and situated in the grounds
of Arundel Park is the lovely Swanbourne Lake, which
was painted by both Turner and Constable. Rowing
boats are available to hire. |
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Wildfowl
and Wetlands Trust
Anyone who loves birds must visit the Arundel Wildfowl
and Wetlands Trust. Situated to the east of Arundel
on marshy ground, it is possible to see wildfowl
from all over the world, including the Hawaiian
goose (the rarest goose in the world). Facilities
include a restaurant, cafe, gift shop, picnic area
and binocular hire. |
Near to: Arundel
Amberley Castle
Built as a manor house and once belonging to the Bishops
of Chichester, it was not until 1377 that it was turned
into a castle in order to protect the nearby river.
In 1989 the castle was purchased by the present owners
and opened as a luxurious hotel. Visits should only
be made by prior appointment as the castle is not open
for public viewing.
Amberley Museum
A working museum on a 14.5 hectare site dedicated to
keeping traditional trades alive, a resident team of
craftspeople use traditional tools and material to produce
a number of fine wares. Also available are vintage bus
rides, a narrow gauge railway, cycle exhibition and
electrical items in the Seeboard Electricity Hall, plus
lots more.
Arundel Vineyards
A vineyard trail, collection of agricultural equipment
and picnic area plus wine tasting in a fifteenth-century
Sussex Barn.
Fairmile Bottom
A way-marked trail takes you through 160 acres (64 hectares)
of beech and yew woodland, grassland and meadows, with
picnic areas provided for you to stop and admire the
countryside.
Ford Church
Located near the Open Prison in Ford, this flint church
is simple but very pretty and has parts dating back
to Norman times.
Ford Market
Bargains galore - everything from household goods, car
accessories, garden furniture and plants can be found
here.
Parham House and Gardens
Carefully restored in the 1920s, this typical 'E' shaped
Elizabethan house was built in 1577 for Sir Thomas Palmer,
a London merchant. It is located north of the South
Downs in a massive deer park. Treasures inside include
china, tapestries, furniture and a collection of Elizabethan
and Stuart portraits. The grounds included a 4-acre
(1.6-hectare) walled garden, orchard, eighteenth-century
landscaped garden, lake, brick & turf maze and pleasure
pond.
Southdown Gliding Club
Founded in 1930 and now one of the largest in Britain,
the Southdown Gliding Club is the perfect place to experience
the thrill of soaring quietly through the air over the
South Downs. The club owns a number of tandem seat trainers,
single seat gliders and several tug planes which can
be used by club members, whatever their experience or
age. Not sure if gliding is for you? Then before committing
to full membership, why not take to the air with a trial
lesson.
St Mary the Virgin, Burpham
Restored in 1868, this cruciform church dates from the
Norman times, although the west tower was added in the
fourteenth century. Featuring an attractive vaulted
chancel with a number of mouldings and carvings, the
church also features two piscinas and the double aumbry.
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