How to spend 4 hours in Arundel
Visit Arundel throughout the year
There’s so many different events and Attractions to choose from – The Arundel Wetland Centre has so much to do and see during springtime. A boat can be taken out on their lake to see water voles and lots of wildfowl. Pond dipping for the children and fantastic views of many different species of birds that can be seen at this beautiful venue. The café over looks their lake and it’s a great place to have a snack and enjoy the goings on of the residents there! After your visit to the Arundel Wetland Centre, head back into town and have some refreshments at one of the town centre cafes like Lulamae’s or the Waterside Café positioned on the riverbank. Watch the boats by the town Quay from The Edible Sandwich café overlooking the river.
Visit the Carpet of Flowers at the Cathedral held to celebrate Corpus Christi – held in Arundel Cathedral usually somewhen between 21st May and 25th June. Walk further along London Road to visit the historical 14th Century St Nicholas Church. Stop for a snack at the many cafés and pubs. The Red Lion has a lovely garden or sit outside at the Edible Sandwich or Waterside Café next to the river. You can also hire a boat from the Waterside Café and take a short stroll alongside the river past the Museum and get an ice cream from the Moathouse who have a huge selection of flavours to choose from.
Arundel Castle gardens hold their Tulip Festival during the spring – usually April and is an absolute ‘must’ to see. The award winning Tropical and English gardens include a stumpery, glasshouses and water features. Just wander round, relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings with the historic Arundel Cathedral and Castle itself as the backdrop. There is so much to see with a surprise around each corner. When leaving the Castle grounds you can get refreshments in the town at many cafes including Belinda’s – built in the 16th Century where all the food is home made. If you have a little time left over perhaps a walk up the Mill Road past the Castle entrance to get an ice cream from Mill Road Leisure and Café and even a game of putting on their 18-hole course if you have the energy!
Visit Swanbourne Lake and hire a rowing boat. Or at the other end of Mill Road is the Waterside Café where a motor boat can be hired for a river trip. What about visiting the Lido – a wonderful outdoor swimming pool. Tennis and a Putting Green are both available at Mill Road Leisure.
You can walk through Arundel Park at the top of the town – the Arundel Castle Cricket Club is nearby and see the famous Hiorne Tower. There the footpath takes you down through lovely countryside to Swanbourne Lake where rowing boats can be hired and lunch or tea can be taken at Swanbourne Lodge Café by the side of the Lake. Walk back into the town via Mill Road and see if you can spot the water voles and duck and swan families in the stream there alongside the path.
Arundel Museum provides a wealth of fascinating information about the town, its history and people. It has a fantastic section for the children – the Children’s Trail. The Museum also often has art displays and you can even gat a coffee whilst you are in there! If you are feeling energetic you can play golf on the putting green or tennis both of which are available at Mill Road Leisure and Café. Maybe a stop in a cosy café like 16th Century Belinda’s in Tarrant Street or the Waterside Café situated right on the riverbank where the swans visit each day.
Just outside the town you can take a walk or perhaps you may prefer to drive to the Brewhouse – a must for coffee and beer lovers. Then come back to Arundel to have a meal at The Burger Shop or if you fancy an Indian or Chinese, then Indian Royal and the China Palace will be glad to see you. The Parsons Table restaurant, tucked away in Tarrant Street offers lovely food in a cosy setting – just perfect on a Winters’ day. Why not wrap up and take a stroll along the Mill Road which is a beautiful lane whatever the weather. There are plenty of ducks to see on the Mill Stream as you walk along and mistletoe grows high in the branches of the trees. Mill Lane leads to Swanbourne Lake which is full of visiting wildfowl during the winter months but don’t forget to take them something to eat!