Arundel

An ancient market town and civil parish in the South Downs of West Sussex, situated inland between Brighton and Chichester. The River Arun, which was named after the town, runs through the western side of Arundel. The huge castle standing in 1,000 acres of grounds has been lived in by successive Earls of Arundel for the past 500 years, although there was a castle on the site even before the Norman conquest of 1066. Apart from the castle there are many other attractions and beauty spots nearby.

The Wildfowl & Wetland Trust was founded in 1946 by the artist and naturalist Sir Peter Scott. WWT Arundel is one of nine centres and consists of more than 60 acres of ponds, lakes and reed beds. Set in ancient woodlands in the middle of the South Downs it is home to over 1,000 of the world's most spectacular ducks, geese and swans, many of which are rare or endangered, including the world's rarest goose, the Nene, which was saved from extinction by the WWT. This is also the only site in the world outside of New Zealand where Blue Ducks have been successfully bred. The centre attracts many wild birds to the lakes, reed beds and woodland areas and is a nationally important site for over wintering pochard. Peregrine falcons breed nearby with kestrels and sparrowhawks seen on a daily basis. The Waters Edge Restaurant situated in the main viewing gallery overlooking the lake offers superb homemade food. There is also a gift shop as well as a telescope and binocular specialists shop.

The Arundel Festival is an annual week long event that includes Street Theatre, Gallery Trails, Open air Theatre and so much more. It usually occurs around the August Bank Holiday and is a festival that always assembles an outstanding selection of artists to deliver six evenings of top quality entertainment, featuring theatre, jazz, classical, choir and pop music. The Gallery Trail is an art 'open house' event whereby local residents open their houses and gardens to nearly one hundred artists who exhibit work in a wide range of media that includes painting, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, jewellery, prints, photography and furniture. There is a sensational Spitfire display as well a spectacular show of fireworks to round the week off.

Arundel is an excellent base from which to explore England's beautiful South Downs. There are the ancient yew trees at Kingley Vale, a Norman cathedral at Chichester and the magnificent treasure house of Goodwood as well as the Goodwood sporting estate. There are miles of unspoilt countryside including the nature reserves of Lancing Ring and Mill Hill, home to a wide range of fauna and flora including wildflowers such as orchids, speedwell and musk thistle, the rare Adonis Blue butterfly and birds such as kestrels and skylarks.

Arundel is easily reached by the A27 and benefits from having a convenient rail link to both London, Victoria and Gatwick Airport. Gatwick airport is less than an hour away by car.