24 Things to look forward to in and around Arundel in 2024
There’s always plenty happening in and around the town and that means lots to look forward to!
You may already have your own ‘bucket list’ of places you want to visit and things you want to do, however if you need some inspiration, we have compiled a list of 24 things to look forward to doing in and around Arundel for 2024!
You may want to do just a few of our suggestions – or even all of them! Either way, they will help to ensure you make time for yourself. Sometimes we’re so busy juggling work, family commitments and countless other obligations we need to give ourselves some ‘me time’ to look forward to.
1. Doing something that's just for you
Make sure your Health & Wellbeing is at the top of your list! Relax, un-wind and take yourself off to somewhere you can recharge like Lets’ Retreat. Pamper yourself Health, Beauty & Wellbeing or get outdoors Countryside & Walks.
Arundel is located between the South Coast and the South Downs National Park, on the banks of the River Arun and is one of the sunniest parts of the UK! The perfect setting to help give your health a real boost. By simply being in Arundel you can look forward to feeling good.
2. Visiting the theatre
There are two local theatres you can visit – Drip Action Theatre who regularly perform in the heart of Arundel and Chichester Festival Theatre that offer a wide selection of shows and plays. Go along with your friends or family then everyone can look forward to seeing some great entertainment.
3. Seeing some flowers in bloom!
Apart from appreciating their beauty, being around flowers has been proven to help reduce stress, speed healing, and improve concentration as well as enhancing your mood!
Visit the Tulip Festival at Arundel Castle in April when it’s It’s Tulip Time in Arundel!
Or Arundel Cathedral when Corpus Christi and the Carpet of Flowers at Arundel Cathedral is there for visitors to see, you will truly be embraced by the beauty of the flowers.
The mental health benefits that will come with seeing both these world-famous events are certainly something you can look forward to so get the dates in your diaries and book yourself a real treat.
4. Playing golf
Play golf at the only Links course in West Sussex at Littlehampton Golf Club where you can literally smell the sea as it is situated right next to the beach!
Or take the family for some fun at Mill Road Putting Green and Tea Room still with 18 holes but perhaps easier for the children. They will look forward to beating the grown-ups there!
5. Being at a music festival
And there is a big one happening in Arundel on 19th July! It will be held just behind the Mill Road Car park in Brooks Field. It’s going to be fabulous, especially as the fantastic Murdoch’s Crazy Eyes will be performing!
Arundel is well known for a huge variety of live music so keep watching the Events Calendar and Arundel Festival. There are so many musicians and singers that perform in the town throughout the year so you will always be able to look forward to someone performing somewhere!
6. Attending the Arundel Festival of the Arts
From Saturday 17th to Monday 26th August – and WHAT a Festival Arundel puts on every year!
The Arundel Festival will once again be spectacular and there’s so much to see and do when the annual 10 days of wonderful entertainment in August takes place.
You can see the Opening Ceremony, Abba Magic, It’s A Knockout, Theatre and Arundel Gallery Trail Have you seen Arundel’s famous Duck Race during the Arundel Festival of the Arts? There is a Vintage Day and Retro Bingo!
But these are just a few of the events that will be happening. So remember to look at our What’s On calendar and Arundel Festival page so you can keep up with all that will be happening!
For more information on any of the events or to get involved, contact secretary@arundelfestival.co.uk
Everyone looks forward to the Arundel Festival
7. Tasting wines at a vineyard
There are some 50 vineries in West Sussex – more than in any other county in the UK! And as luck would have it that many of them are near to Arundel!
Offering Tours and Tastings these local vineyards are wonderful places to visit if you want to look forward to popping a cork or two, or perhaps even more! See Vineyards & Wineries or read more about West Sussex Vineyards.
If you’re in Arundel, why not pop into Digby Fine English and have a tasting flight experience.
8. Getting on or around on the water
The River Arun flows right through the town. The town was once a busy port with a huge variety of goods transported in and out of Arundel – from cattle to canvas and salt to swans!
There used to be some 42 pubs in the town ensuring the sailors passing through had plenty of choice of where to drink! There are still plenty of Pubs, Bars & Breweries to choose from. If you want to be near a more sedate watercourse then visit Swanbourne Lake Arundel Wetland Centre or go for a swim at Arundel Lido.
The Arun also flows past Riverside South Downs | Cafe Bar & Restaurant | Self-Drive Boat Hire | E-Bike Hire.
In nearby Amberley and you can get active on the water with Fluid Adventures Ltd.
9. Watching a cricket match
Why not watch a cricket match at one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the World at Arundel Castle Cricket Club? Apart from the magnificent views, The Club provides the most outstanding all-round cricketing programme.
If you are interested in history then click on this link It’s Just Not Cricket?…as it tells you all about how the ground was the location of a major settlement that eventually evolved into what we now know as Arundel. Howzat for an interesting fact!
10. Learning about history at a museum
If you go to Arundel Museum you can handle exhibits, take part in guided walk around the town and attend the many events they run throughout the year.
Just a few miles down the road you will find the unique and fascinating Weald & Downland Living Museum just perfect for those who want to see, touch and even smell what life was really like for people living in years gone by.
At nearby Amberley Museum you can travel back in time and experience the South’s industrial and rural heritage. All these museums are totally unique and will give you and your family a fabulous and informative day out without having to go too far – all somewhere you can look forward to visiting.
11. Going on a train ride
Arundel has its own station so you can visit other local towns very easily. Public Transport
Or take a trip on a narrow-gauge railway that takes you all around the site at Amberley Museum, A train ride is something all the family can look forward to.
12.Taking the children for a day out
There is nowhere for children like Arundel Castle. Their imagination can run wild when they see the armoury, the keep, the grounds and watch events like the Medieval Festival, History Days and Jousting.
Arundel Wetland Centre has pond dipping and Boat Safaris across their lake and you might even see Ratty from the Wind in the Willows! as water voles often pop along to say ‘hello!’
Aldingbourne Country Centre has a maze, an indoor slide and lots of animals to see and plenty of events to take part in from Foam Park fun to a Reptile Day and lots more in between.
Or if you fancy getting wet and have a splashing time, head to the Arundel Lido for a swim or fun with the inflatables.
Get your thinking caps on and all the family can be involved with the Arundel Treasure Hunt (self guided) taking you through the best bits of this medieval town, it only takes 1 -2 hours to complete.
Check out our Events Calendar for when you are going to visit and look at our many Attractions to see what your children might like to do.
Once you have planned your day out, you can look forward to having time to sit back and just watch the youngsters having fun! – or you can join in if you want to!
13. Visiting a farmers market
The town has a fabulous and very popular Arundel Farmers Market held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. You will find flowers, plants, meat, bakers, gifts and all kinds of food and drink from local producers who come to the town to sell direct to you.
Lots of visitors and folk living in the local area look forward to this lovely social event and attend every month.
14. Experiencing a workshop
Join Isabella at Isabella Josie – Bespoke Millinery for a fun filled craft workshop. You can even arrange a private workshop or hat party! These sessions are a great way to celebrate a special birthday, bridal showers or just as a meet up with friends. Look forward to seeing who can make the best hat!
Or you can attend floristry workshops with Beachtown Blooms, or become a Barista for a day with an experience at Edge Coffee Roastery in Ford.
Keep your eye on our event pages as workshops & experiences are added here regularly.
15. Taking your dog for a wonderful walk
Arundel is so Dog Friendly. You can take them for a walk around Arundel Park in the South Downs or you look for more Dog Friendly Activities.
There is also a dog event held annually nearby at Goodwood – called Goodwoof. It’s a dog event like no other! Your dog will look forward to his or her day out! Especially if you take plenty of their favourite treats!
16. Seeing a castle and cathedral in all their glory
Arundel Castle and Arundel Cathedral are almost next door to each other and these two buildings are seen on the skyline as you come into the town. A unique view to look forward to every time you approach the town. You can walk right past both buildings and take in their majestic splendour but if you have the time to visit them too – well that is a bonus!
17. Visiting a stately home
You can’t get more stately than Petworth House and Park surrounded by a beautiful deer park or Parham House and Gardens where Elizabeth I stayed.
Right in the centre of town is Arundel Castle set high on a hill, this majestic Castle commands the landscape with magnificent views across the South Downs and the River Arun. Once you’ve seen the outside of these wonderful buildings, you must surely look forward to seeing the inside of them too!
18. Attending the Arundel Literary Festival
The Arundel Literary Festival is being held from 7th – 9th March based at The Victoria Institute, with readings, talks, workshops, discussions and competitions.
19. Treating yourself to a meal out
That is always something to look forward to – Indian, Chinese, Italian and more are all catered for in Arundel and there are lots of Restaurants, Pubs, Bars & Breweries and Tearooms, Cafés and Coffee Shops to choose from.
20. Drinking great bear at local breweries
The Brewhouse Project is an independent, family run bar and cafe, and the taproom for Arundel Brewery, one of the highest rated breweries on the South Coast. They run an exciting programme of events including brewery tours, live music and street food pop ups.
Fauna Brewing & Taproom are crazy about beer! They hold brewery tours, pub quizzes and music events so plenty to look forward to when you call in their taproom near the Cathedral!
21. Getting some retail therapy - just go shopping!
Arundel is full of Independent & Local Shops including those found in The Shopping Arcade – and a historic chapel filled with shops known as Nineveh House. Buy food and drink, books and gifts, clothing, antiques and so much more. Look forward to seeing what you can buy and treat yourself!
22. Taking afternoon tea
A ‘proper’ cream tea is a popular choice in Arundel with lots of cafés providing sandwiches, cakes and even Prosecco.
Having an Afternoon Tea is a very relaxed way of enjoying an hour or two of delicious food and drink and perhaps sitting by a log fire, a lovely garden, a scenic view or just watching the world go by along a bustling high street.
Where will you go to have your cake and eat it? Arundel of course! Check our Tearooms, Cafés and Coffee Shops although you will need to check with the venue as not all of them do afternoon tea!
23. Going horse racing
And They’re Off!! And so could you be to either Goodwood Racecourse where you can see Flat racing from May to October or Fontwell Park Racecourse with Jump Racing all year except in July.
Look forward to a great day out and you never know, you may even pick a winner!
24. Visiting Arundel at Christmas
Every year, leading up to Christmas, there is an amazing programme of events planned to ensure that Arundel is THE town to visit for festive fun and entertainment.
Visiting Arundel at Christmas is a sure way to get into the Christmas spirit! So do keep checking out the website as it gets regularly updated the closer we get to December.
Although Christmas can be a busy period, take some time out for you and your family, and see the buildings adorned with Christmas trees, the twinkling lights and decorated windows. Arundel is just the perfect place to visit for Festive Fun!
The above ideas will help you find things to do that you can plan for and look forward to. If you do ever get through the whole list, we would love to know! – so get in touch and we can then look forward to hearing from you!
Written by Barb Hogan
Photography by Charlie Waring & Nigel Cull