West Sussex

West Sussex is the coastal region between Brighton and Portsmouth. Its main attractions include the historic city of Chichester and the small town of Arundel, with its large castle.

Arundel

This small town on the A27 between Brighton and Chichester is noted for its large castle, which dominates the town.

Practical Information

Arundel Tourist Information Centre

61 High Street, Arundel

Tel (01903) 882268

Website www.arundel.org.uk

Open Jan-Easter 10am-3pm daily; Easter-Oct Mon 9.30am-5pm, Tue-Sun 9am-5pm; Oct-Dec 10am-3pm daily

Coming & Going

Southern (website www.southernrailway.com) operate direct trains between Arundel and London Victoria (via Gatwick Airport) and there are also trains from Arundel to Brighton, Chichester and Portsmouth.

Stagecoach (website www.stagecoachbuses.co.uk) bus routes 315 stops in Arundel on the Coastliner route linking Eastbourne and Falmouth and route 702 also stops here en route between Brighton and Chichester.

Accommodation

Arundel YHA

Warningcamp, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9QY

Tel (01903) 882 204

Gumber Bothy

Gumber Farm, Slindon, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 0RN

No access by car

Sights

Amberley Working Museum

This museum is comprised of reconstructed period buildings that include bus and train stations and a printing works. The museum features a wide range exhibits that range from old TVs and radios to vintage cars and locomotives.

B2139, Amberley

Train Amberley

Tel (01798) 831370

Website www.amberleymuseum.co.uk

Admission £7.50

Open 17 Mar-4 Apr Wed-Sun 10am-4.30pm; 5-18 Apr 10am-4.30pm daily; 21 Apr-18 Jul Wed-Sun 10am-4.30pm daily; 19 Jul-5 Sep 10am-4.30pm daily; 8 Sep-24 Oct Wed-Sun 10am-4.30pm daily; 25-31 Oct 10am-4.30pm daily

Arundel Castle

This impressive 11th century castle is home to the Dukes of Norfolk and has been open to visitors for nearly 200 years.

Arundel

Tel (01903) 883136 / 882173

Website www.arundelcastle.org

Admission £12.00 (ISIC £9.50)

Open Apr-Oct Tues–Sun 10am–5pm, castle Rooms noon-5pm, last entry 4pm

Chichester

This historic cathedral city traces its history back to Roman times and its attractions include the 900-year-old Chichester cathedral and the brilliant Fishbourne Roman Palace.

Practical Information

Chichester Tourist Information Centre

29a South Street, Chichester

Tel (01243) 539 449

Website www.chichester.gov.uk

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 9.15am-5.15pm; Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 9.15am-5.15pm, Sun 11am-3.30pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 9.15am-5.15pm

Coming & Going

Chichester lies on the coastal train line linking Brighton with Portsmouth and Southampton and there are also regular trains to London (Victoria station). There are also good bus connections with National Express (tel 0870 580 8080; website www.nationalexpress.co.uk) buses to London and Stagecoach (website www.stagecoachbuses.co.uk) buses go to Brighton (route 702) and Portsmouth (routes 700 & 701).

Accommodation

There are no hostels in Chichester, however it can be visited as a daytrip from either Portsmouth or Arundel, which both have hostel accommodation.

Sights

Chichester Cathedral

Chichester's cathedral dates from 1091 but incorporates an eclectic range of architectural styles owing to additions to the cathedral that have been made over the past 900 years.

Tel (01243) 782595

Website www.chichester-cathedral.org.uk

Admission £2 donation

Open summer 7.30am-7pm daily; winter 7.30am-5pm daily

Chichester District Museum

This small museum has exhibits on local history.

26 Little London, Chichester

Tel (01243) 784683

Website www.chichester.gov.uk/museum

Admission free

Open Jun-mid Sep Sat noon-4pm

Fishbourne Roman Palace

Discovered by accident in 1960 while digging a water trench, the fascinating Fishbourne Roman Palace is Britain's largest Roman building dating from the 1st century. The site features Britain's largest collection of in-situ mosaics, which include the famous Cupid on a Dolphin. There are also formal gardens that have been replanted according to the original Roman plan and an adjoining museum with exhibits relating to the site.

Salthill Road, Fishbourne, Chichester

Bus 11, 56, 700 Train Fishbourne

Tel (01243) 785859

Website www.sussexpast.co.uk

Admission £5.20 (student £4.50)

Open Jan-Feb 10am-4pm daily; Mar-Jul 10am-5pm daily; Aug 10am-6pm daily; Sep-Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-4pm daily

Pallant House Gallery

This elegant building is noted for its collection modern art, which is complemented by a programme of temporary exhibits.

9 North Pallant, Chichester

Tel (01243) 77455

Website www.pallanthousegallery.com

Admission £4

Open Tue-Sat 10am-4pm

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum

This open-air museum 11km north of Chichester has over 40 historic buildings that date from medieval to Victorian times. Highlights of the museum includes a Tudor farmhouse and a working 17th century waterwheel.

A286, Singleton, Chichester

Bus 60

Tel (01243) 811348

Website www.wealddown.co.uk

Admission £7.50

Open Jan-Feb Sat-Sun 10.30am-4pm; Mar-Oct 10.30am-6pm daily; Nov-Dec Sat-Sun 10.30am-4pm

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