Historic English market town that sounds like something from a fairytale – with huge castle and a very scenic train line
ARUNDEL is an historic market town in West Sussex that’s home to an 950-year-old castle, riverside pubs and independent shops and boutiques.
And while we know that the fictional town in the Disney movie Frozen was inspired by the Austrian town of Hallstatt.. we’re going to go out on a limb and say there are an awful lot of similarities with this southern English location.
For starters, Arendelle – the town in Frozen – sunds an awful lot like Arundel.
Secondly, the big focal point of Arundel is the imposing castle, much like in Frozen, where the castle is the home of the princesses Elsa and Anna.
Built by Roger de Montgomery in 1067, Arundel Castle is the historic home of the Duke of Norfolk, with it being occupied by that family line for more than 850 years
The castle is currently home to Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk and his wife Francesca Herbet.
Despite being a family home of the Duke of Norfolk, Arundel Castle has been the backdrop for huge blockbuster films like 2017’s Wonder Woman, starring Gal Gadot.
Helen Mirren also filmed the Madness of King George alongside Nigel Hawthorne in Arundel Castle.
Arundel Castle is open to the public, with the historic building being named the Historic Park & Garden of the Year in 2024.
Visitors can explore rooms like the Regency Library, the Baron’s Hall, the Drawing Room and several Victorian and Edwardian bedrooms.
There are also plenty of buildings located within the grounds of the castle, including Fitzalan Chapel, a Gatehouse and a Chapel.
Events also take place at Arundel Castle throughout the year like the Household Cavalry Exhibition, which showcases twelve large-scale portraits of the Household Cavalry by the photographic artist Ripley
Jousting shows and walking tours will take place throughout the castle in October.
Entry tickets to Arundel Castle cost £29 for a full-paying adult and £12 for children, with family tickets coming in at £70.
You can also get an excellent view of the castle if you choose to take the train to the town’s station, Arundel Castle.
The Arun Valley railway line runs right past the foot of the grounds.
There are plenty of other tourist attractions in the historic market, including Arundel Cathedral.
The Gothic cathedral is free to visit, with one of its most beautiful features considered to be the rose window that sits directly behind the organ gallery.
Arundel Town Centre is packed with independent shops like Kim’s Bookshop, Lavender House, and the Tea and Biscuit Club.
Another attraction is Arundel Lido, which has two outdoor swimming pools.
While the pools are heated from April to September, they become cold water swimming spots throughout the winter when the heat is turned off in the colder months.
Because Arundel is backed by the South Downs National Park, walking routes and hiking trails are another popular pastime in the area.
One of those is the five-kilometre walk around Swanbourne Lake, which takes visitors past Hiorne Tower and back into Arundel Town Centre.
There’s also Arundel Park Walk that stretches for nine kilometres passing places like Monarch’s Way, the village of South Stoke and the River Arun.
Arundel isn’t short on pubs, with The Black Rabbit Pub highly-rated.
The riverside boozer offers views across the Wetlands towards Arundel Castle and serves a range of traditional grub like Sunday Roasts.
Other pubs in Arundel include the Lamb Inn, the Red Lion and the Kings Arms.
Holidaymakers can book to stay overnight at the Norfolk Arms Hotel, a Georgian Coaching Inn was built over 200 years ago by the 10th Duke of Norfolk.
Stays start from £70 per person per room, based on two people sharing a room.
Arundel is an hour’s drive from Brighton.
Three fascinating castles to visit in the UK
THE UK is home to some amazing castles - here are some of the best:
Bamburgh Castle
This medieval fortress is built overlooking the stunning Northumberland coast, offering a wonderfully picturesque place to explore some of England’s history.
The castle itself is incredibly well preserved and dates all the way back to the 11th century.
Kenilworth Castle
Brits can find out about sieges and royal scandals at Kenilworth Castle, one of the most famous forts in the country.
The medieval castle has had a fascinating history and was even transformed into an Elizabethan palace.
Today its keep, its Tudor towers and Elizabethan garden are among the sites people can explore.
Edinburgh Castle
Dominating the skyline of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh Castle has been dubbed “defender of the nation” by locals.
Today, the castle is still an active military base, with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo remaining a highlight among visitors.
It’s also home to Scotland’s Crown Jewels as well as other national treasures.
Earlier this month, we revealed our favourite towns and villages to visit across the UK.
Another tiny village in the UK has been compared to a retro 1940s film set.