Sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Arun, the pretty little settlement of Arundel, England, is punctuated by a cathedral and a magnificent castle (where open-air theater is held during the summer). With its quaint half-timbered buildings, old-fashioned tea shops and rowboats for hire, Arundel is a pleasant place to while away an afternoon. It is located 50 mi/80 km south of London.
The nearby Arundel Wetland Centre is an excellent reserve for water birds, although visitors may also enjoy observing the "twitchers," or bird-watchers—who are themselves an interesting species of English eccentricity.
The picturesque village of Amberley, just to the west, consists almost entirely of thatch-roofed cottages. Petworth House, to the north of Arundel, is worth visiting for its fabulous art collection, which includes a number of early 19th-century Turner landscapes.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.