Arundel Castle in the South of England

UK is a fantastic place to be in. The lush green hills, medieval castles, canalways and British humour are some of the joys of visiting the island. Though I have settled in the country for more than 7 years, I never ceased to be amazed by new discoveries; it could be a quaint village that reminds me of Hansel and Gretel, castle ruins which makes me wonder who used to live there or walking along miles of coastal beaches, listening to the sound of the Atlantic waves as it roars from the ocean.




I lived in Southern England. Whenever I am on the Southern train heading towards Chichester, I always look out for Arundel castle which sits tall and proud on the hill.

If you yearn to see unspoilt towns that is steep in history, Arundel is the place to visit. Arundel is a historic market town in the South Downs of West Sussex. The town have its own river, the River Arun which runs through the western side of the town. The river was once a transport links for traders but it is now home to many bird species, the most common of which is the mallard. Somewhere in June, you can witness little mallards making their daredevil stunts, dawdling on the pavement and on River Arun.

Arundel Castle is the major attraction in Arundel. The castle which is perched on a hill was built in the 11th century and the current owner is the Duke of Norfolk who reside within.Part of the castle is open to the public, where you can join in live commentary as you moved through rooms filled with rich tapestry, paintings and monuments.

Arundel castle is open to the public from April to November. The castle hoard famous paintings, tapestries, stained glass, china, clocks, sculpture, carving, heraldry and armour in stunning room settings. The beautiful and vast garden grounds are used for concerts in summer. There are different entrance fees for visiting the castle and the garden, check the website www.arundelcastle.org or enquire at the castle gate about the different fares.

Though you do not need to be fit to walk on the street of Arundel, the high street in Arundel is said to be the steepest in England. As you browse in and out of the many antique shops, searching for unique memorabilia or Victorian artefact, you would probably dispute the claim.

In true British style, your visit will not be complete without an afternoon break of cream cakes and tea in quaint tea rooms in Arundel. If afternoon tea is not your favourite genre of a break, there are also several pubs and restaurant scattered around Arundel. The most popular haunt is the Black Rabbit, a pub and restaurant nestle amongst hedgerow with the River Arun as its frontage. Located slightly away from the main street, Black Rabbit is a tranquil place to take a rest and have a beer and perhaps some chips too.

How to get to Arundel. From Victoria Station in London, the Southern train will bring commuters to Arundel within an hour and half. The train station is within walking distance to the centre. If travelling by car, Arundel lies to the north of the A27 with Hampshire in one end and Brighton in the other.