Long before Ed Sheeran hit the charts singing about his Castle on the Hill, the West Sussex market town of Arundel – known for its turrets, tea rooms and tulip festival – topped the best places to live in Britain lists and has even beaten Europe’s finest to triumph as its most relaxing destination.
Where else in Britain can you combine a grade 1-listed castle that dates back to 1067 – and oversaw some of the country’s most important historic moments including the signing of the Magna Carta – with a cultural charm that oozes out of every cobbled street and wonky medieval and Georgian building?
Let’s all go to Arundel
But while it may look like the set of a period movie – and has been accused by The Guardian of being ‘too perfect’ – Arundel possesses more than its quintessentially English good looks, and positively vibrates with a cool, cosmopolitan chicness.
It is the place that seemingly has it all: a rich history, romantic skyline, architectural gems galore and could easily be mistaken as the inspiration for the fairytale town in a certain Disney movie – Arendelle anyone?
But Arundel also now boasts an enviable events calendar, has a thriving culinary and coffee house scene with one of the county’s best gastropubs, The George at Burpham, and a laidback lifestyle deserving of TravelSupermarket’s title of Europe’s most relaxing place.
Set in the stunning South Downs, it’s the place where can you can admire the cathedral’s Gothic revival architecture – this is where the town’s Tudor saint St Philip Howard’s bones are enshrined – browse myriad bric-a-brac stores, then head to watch a medieval joust at that magnificent castle on the hill which is the latest Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award winner.
Let’s all go to Arundel
Not only does Arundel Castle host the Easter Medieval Festival with displays of combat, archery and falconry every year but the gardens feature 100,000 tulips showcasing 120 unique varieties – now regarded as one of the best displays in Europe – at the titular Tulip Festival every April.
Let’s all go to Arundel
The ancestral seat of the 18th Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, who organised Elizabeth II’s funeral and the King’s Coronation, the castle is now a premier travel destination in its own right, attracting a global audience eager to explore its elegant interior, exhibits and exquisite gardens.
The Allium Extravaganza transforms the gardens into a sea of vibrant blooms during May (entry from £17 per adult and £8 per child), while the clocks are turned back to 1474 on Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 25 for the castle’s Medieval Festival – A Skirmish weekend, £29 per adult, £13 per child or £71 for a family ticket. Visit three tented encampments to see 15th century crafts, try archery or watch two skirmishes each day to experience this turbulent time after the War of the Roses in England’s history.
Let’s all go to Arundel
You can also see fire eating and falconry or watch knights battle for glory, and their nation’s honour, at the castle’s International Medieval Jousting Tournament between Tuesday June 21 – Sunday July 26, £33 per adult, £14 per child or £80 for a family ticket. arundelcastle.org
The town’s busy summer schedule also includes the Arundel Festival of the Arts from August 22 – 31 and showcases music, dance, comedy, drama and entertainment culimating with dancing in the streets. arundelfestival.co.uk
Arundel’s naturally stunning setting, just three miles from the sea but in the heart of the verdant Sussex countryside, makes it the perfect location to explore on foot. The South Downs Way links the town with Bramber while the Arundel Castle Circular loops around the castle.
So small it can easily be covered in a day, you can take in the Arts and Crafts houses, along with the Victorian flint cottages, in the town that dates back to Roman and Saxon times and was once an important port.
Take a boat around Swanbourne Lake then pop into Arundel Museum to learn about the town’s history and from May 2 – July 26, visit Exhibition: Women’s Land Army to discover the crucial work women of ‘the Cinderella Service’ did during war time amid initial hostility from politicians, civil servants and even farmers who doubted they would be up to the task. Entry, £5.75 for adults, arundelmuseum.org
FOOD AND DRINK
Arundel’s vibrant culinary scene got an upgrade last year after The George at Burpham was recognised in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs awards extended list, The Good Food Guide and The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Pubs. With its AA Rosette-winning cuisine, the 18th century pub was recognised in the prestigious awards for its commitment to fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, the majority of which are from within 20 miles of the Grade II-listed pub so many of the regular visitors travel further than their food.
Partnering with local farms such as Goodwood and Calcott, Brighton Fish, dairy producers to seasonal vegetable suppliers Chefs Farm to support the local South Downs communities and bring out the best flavours in West Sussex, the pub, which sits at number 35 on the Top 100 Best Pubs list, has a menu that’s packed with exciting, quality dishes. The chefs specialise in small plates at lunchtime and heart dinners, so menus are changed daily to showcase local, seasonal produce while drinks including local beers, ciders and English wines are chosen to complement the food and to offer a taste of the region.
Dog-friendly, and with a warm welcome from the owners to match the delicious menu, this is a genuine Sussex gem perfect to enjoy, especially now that the weather is warmer.
Tuck into Pork & sage scotch egg, with pickled walnut aioli (£10), roast lamb rump, chargrilled white asparagus, wild garlic mayonnaise (£29) and for dessert Chocolate Nemesis, with boozy prunes, and creme fraiche (9.50).
As well as the recent 2025 awards it has also been featured in the AA 2023 Pick of the Pubs guide and received multiple AA Rosettes. georgeatburpham.co.uk
Stroll along the River Arun to the Black Rabbit – one of the country’s best pubs. More than 200 years old, you can drink in the picturesque views across the wetlands to the castle while tucking into roasts, burgers or bites such as crispy cauliflower wings (£7.95), baked camembert to share (£18.95) or loaded hashbrowns with buttermilk chicken bacon, mozzarella and tomato sauce £13.45.
Be sure to look out for memorabilia from the Harry Potter movies too. www.theblackrabbitarundel.co.uk
Follow your nose back into town for some of the best freshly-baked bread and cakes in the town and it will take you to the Dickensian- looking doorway of Pallant of Arundel. Here’s you’ll find a store that’s three shops in one – a wine merchant, cheesemonger and purveyor of general provisions.
Selling fine food and more than 250 wines, as well as a range of whisky and gin, whether sourced locally in Sussex or further afield, they showcase smaller and artisan producers who create high quality interesting and delicious products that are not widely available. Think jams, jellies, chutneys and pickles as well as locally roasted coffee beans, ground to order, eggs, and pastries.
They have more than 100 British and European cheeses to choose from – making them one of the best cheese counters in Sussex with many sourced directly from local dairies – along with smoked trout, charcuterie, honeys, pasta and homemade chocolate. Their handmade sausage rolls, scotch eggs, pies and quiches are always popular, too – all tried and tested by the team!
They do a roaring trade in hampers all year round – summer picnics are a speciality – as well at Christmas and as gifts. Their impressive collection of wines showcase the very best of Sussex as well as a growing selection from around the world. www.pallantofarundel.co.uk
Gaskyns Wholefields celebrates its sixth anniversary this year and is continuing to grow its range with more products in stock than ever before. The family-run business stocks a wide range of healthy food and drinks including organic and ‘free from’ by brands such as Infinity, Clearspring, Biona, Doves Farm, Belvoir and Mr Organic among others. The shop supports businesses on their doorstep and stocks local honeys as well as organic eggs.
There are plenty of vegan, vegetarian, gluten and dairy-free produce and products too including household cleaning and laundry products from Ecover as well as hair, body care and soaps from Faith in Nature too which are both refillable, saving the planet as well as money. A selection of Lamberts supplements and Aqua Oleum essential oils is also available.
Gaskyns is now also the new collection point in Arundel for Little Fish Sushi in the Sticks who offer delicious sushi and pan-Asian fine dining take-away food.
Co-Founder Neil Witney is a Michelin-trained, multi-award-winning chef who is on a mission to deliver a freshly made fine dining menu at home. You can now pre-order online via their website (www.little-fish.uk) and collect your freshly made food from Gaskyns Whole Food.
To celebrate this new partnership, they are offering Gaskyns’ customers 10% off their whole menu for new customers with code AGW10. www.gaskyns.co.uk.
SHOPPING
Once you’ve browsed all the antique stores and indulged in a cream tea, it’s time for some serious retail therapy in some of the independent and unique boutiques. Who wants to look like everyone else in a High Street mass produced garment when you can have something stylish or bespoke?
Ladies fashion boutique Fanny Adams (fannyadams.org.uk) offers a stylish but affordable range of clothes you’ll want to wear again and again. The bijou store, which also sells shoes, jewellery and accessories, started as a pop-up during the Arundel Festival in 2012 but was so successful founder Kim Bailey decided to stay and open the store in Tarrant Street. With designs in silk, linen and cotton, a friendly expert team to offer a personal service and advice, new stock arriving every week all year round and the shop being open seven days a week – including bank holidays – there is always something new to discover. A stylish and original jewellery collection, along with beautiful handbags, and gift ideas for all the family, means you can treat your loved ones – and yourself. Your wardrobe will thank you! www.fannyadams.org.uk
Turn heads with a handcrafted hat that makes a style statement. Isabella Josie is an award-winning British milliner based in Arundel who creates luxury hats and headpieces using traditional techniques. Designed and made in her Tarrant Street studio, each piece is elegant, beautifully constructed, and made to inspire confidence for life’s most special occasions. Her ready-to-wear pieces can be turned around quickly and there are options to suit every budget.
Pop into Sussex Hats by Isabella Josie to chat with the designer about creating a bespoke hat, fascinator or head piece for your holiday, a wedding, as mother of the bride, something special for a day at the races or for one of the Goodwood events.www.sussexhats.co.uk
Now for something scent-sational – a new fragrance. Scent Lounge, on the High Street, is the destination for perfume lovers looking for something unique. Specialising in premium and niche fragrances that are rarely found outside of luxury department stores and brand boutiques, Scent Lounge offers customers the opportunity to discover scents that are distinctive, artistic, and truly individual. Its carefully curated collection brings together exceptional perfume houses known for creativity, quality, and craftsmanship.
As well as fine fragrances, Scent Lounge offers a range of quality home fragrance, candles, diffusers and body products that mean you can enjoy beautiful fragrance in every part of their life. The friendly, expert team takes the time to understand each customer’s preferences, guiding them through a sensory journey to pinpoint fragrances that suit their personality, mood, and style.
Scent Lounge also stocks many unique gift ideas and can put together bespoke hampers. www.scentlounge.com
BUSINESS
Monan Gozzett LLP
The flagship offices of Monan Gozzett LLP – the expert crime, family and dispute resolution solicitors – are in Arundel under the watchful gaze of the castle.
The leading law firm has more than 50 years of experience in handling the most complex cases including criminal law, divorce and separation matters and regulatory issues.
Founders and co-owners Maria Monan and Neal Gozzett have for over a decade applied their legal expertise and business acumen to creating a bespoke law firm that is centred on the cornerstones of empathy, understanding, and dedicated personal care. Their hand-picked team is highly-trained and provide the level of attention their clients need, which is reflected in client testimonials.
Contact them on 01903 927055 or email info@monangozzett.com. www.monangozzett.com
If you want to know about any local businesses, news or interesting facts about the town, head to Visit Arundel which also lists a host of events happening throughout the year. visitarundel.co.uk
MUST DO
Swanbourne Lake
There’s nothing quite like messing about on the water so why not take out a boat and enjoy the scenic views? Close to the town’s Wetland Centre, and opposite the castle’s entrance, there has apparently been a mill pond on this site for more than 1,000 years. Stroll round the lake, stop for a cup of tea, or bird watch – you can see tufted ducks, little grebes, gadwalls and herons among others. Boats are £5 an adult and £4 per child for 30 mins. Booking not essential.
MUST SEE
Arundel Wetland Centre
The Arundel Wetland Centre is just beyond Arundel castle where guests can feed blue-billed puna teals or see the shovelers, eiders and sand martins.
And until May 31, little ones can explore the wonderful world of wetlands with Gozzle the gosling from Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie’s freshly hatched picture books. There are outdoor adventures, an interactive trail, special activities, story telling sessions and you can even become an animal helper in Gozzle’s Vet Check.
Tickets from £14.36, adult and £9.18 child and £39.96 for a family of two adults and two children. www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel
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