23.10.2020- Travel Talk: How to Spend 48 Hours in Arundel, West Sussex

 *looks around nervously* I'm not too sure whether posting a retrospective travel post at the moment is the best of ideas, but it's so strange to think that this little adventure down to Sussex was only a few weeks ago...and even stranger now that things seem to be shifting backwards each and every day. In short, my lovely pal Lucy and I were supposed to be visiting Florence at the start of the month after postponing our trip from April, but after our rescheduled flights were cancelled twice in as many days, we decided to get our money back and spend it on a little UK trip. Arundel seemed like the perfect option as it's not too far away (about an hour and a half from London on the train), and it's an area which I know quite well having spent a lot of time there with my grandparents when I was small. It was lovely to spend a bit more time there, exploring some old favourites and scoping out some new finds too...

Where to stay

In view of the current situation, we opted for an AirBnB which meant that we could stay as self contained, and socially distant as possible. Our accommodation was The Old Pottery on Maltravers Street, hosted by the wonderful Fi. The location was absolutely ideal, and the lovely thing about Arundel is that everything is more or less walkable- perfect if you're sans car (or, like me, in the process of plucking up the courage to learn how to drive..!) The Old Pottery had everything we needed for our stay, and I'd happily stay there again- in fact, it was a struggle to leave it behind! The word on the street is that there's a new branch of The Pig opening in the area soon too...

Things to do

The moment you approach Arundel station on the train, you can't fail to spot the incredible castle which looks over the town. Complete with an authentic medieval keep, Arundel Castle has recently undergone something of a glow up (either that or my memories from childhood are very vague indeed!) and now boasts an incredible sprawling garden and recently created Stew Ponds. Whilst they've had to reduce visitor numbers to allow for social distancing, it's open until the end of the month to visitors, however tighter nooks and crannies such as the keep are out of bounds for the time being. Don't let that put you off, though- the incredible library alone is worth the price of admission, and the grounds and wonderful at this time of the year. If you're in a car, then nearby Petworth House is definitely worth a visit too- just make sure to pre-book your ticket online! 

Arundel has always had a bit of a reputation for being a hub of arts and crafts, and the independent boutiques and galleries along Tarrant Street and Maltravers Street are well worth exploring. If you're in the market for antiques then this is the perfect place to rummage about, with Arundel Bridge Antiques and Arundel Antiques Market offering some brilliant finds for very reasonable prices. The Book Ferret is a lovely independent bookshop (complete with bonus whippets behind the till), and The Scent Lounge is heaven for fragrance fanatics and candle collectors alike- I really struggled not to buy everything on display! 

If you're after some outdoor adventuring or just some good old fashioned fresh air, then a walk down to Swanbourne Lake and the adjacent tea room is a must. From there, you can visit the wonderful Arundel Wetland Centre (again, pre-booking is a must) and soak up the surroundings of the incredible South Downs. If it's good walking you're after, then there are plenty of routes to choose from, including from Amberley to Arundel via Burpham and from Arundel to Littlehampton along the River Arun, although I'd recommend choosing a dry day as the river has a tendency to flood when it rains. 

Again, if you've got your walking legs on, then a hike to the top of the hill to visit Arundel Cathedral is well worth it, just be sure to check their opening hours in advance in light of current restrictions.
 

Where to eat

Arundel has become something of a foodie haven over recent years, and is packed with plenty of choice when it comes to eating and drinking. There's a vast array of options on offer, from tea rooms including the Motte & Bailey Café, The Edible Sandwich Co. and Belinda's to coffee options including Tarrant Street Espresso and Bagels & Coffee. Pub wise, a walk along the river to The Black Rabbit is well worth the work (and the reward of a baked Camembert at the end is always worth it..!). For a taste of fine dining, then I cannot recommend The Parsons Table enough- with a fantastic menu built around locally sourced ingredients, it's a must-visit. If you're in the market for something with a bit of a difference and don't mind going a little bit out of the town, then the treat of afternoon tea at Amberley Castle is well worth exploring too. Cooking in your accomodation? Pallant of Arundel and Arundel Butchers on the High Street have you covered. 

As with everything at the moment, if you're planning an at-home holiday, then please do make sure that you're abiding by all of the current rules and restrictions, maintaining your social distance and abiding by the hands, face, space mantra. 

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission.)