Arundel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arundel |
|
|---|---|
 Town overlooked by castle |
|
 Arundel
|
|
| Area | 12.13 km2 (4.68 sq mi) |
| Population | 3,475 (civil parish, 2011) |
| • Density | 286/km2 (740/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TQ018070 |
| • London | 49 miles (79 km) NNE |
| Civil parish |
|
| District |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ARUNDEL |
| Postcode district | BN18 |
| Dialling code | 01903 |
| Police | Sussex |
| Fire | West Sussex |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Arundel (pronounced ARR-ən-dəl) is a historic market town in West Sussex, England. It's located in the Arun District, near the beautiful South Downs.
This charming town is famous for its amazing medieval castle and its grand Roman Catholic cathedral. Arundel also has a museum. It has the second-highest number of important historic buildings in West Sussex, after the much larger city of Chichester. The River Arun flows right through the eastern part of the town.
Arundel has a long history of self-governance. It became part of the Arun District in 1974. Today, it is a civil parish with its own town council, helping to manage local affairs.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Arundel comes from an old English word, Hārhūnedell. This means "valley of horehound", which is a type of plant. The name was first written down in the Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086.
However, some people believe the name comes from an Old French word, arondelle, which means "swallow". Swallows are birds, and you can even see them on the town's official coat of arms!
How Arundel is Governed
Arundel has its own local government, called the Arundel Town Council. This council helps make decisions for the town. The Town Council is based at the Arundel Town Hall.
The area around Arundel is also an "electoral ward" for voting. This ward includes the town and stretches north to a place called Houghton. In 2011, about 4,298 people lived in this ward.
Arundel's Location and Landscape
The town of Arundel is split into two main parts: an older area to the north and a newer area to the south. A main road separates these two parts.
Arundel is a very important place for crossing the River Arun. For a long time, it had the lowest road bridge over the river. This was until a new bridge opened in Littlehampton in 1908.
Arundel Castle was built by the Normans a long time ago. Its main job was to protect the valley and the land to the north of the South Downs. The town of Arundel then grew up on the hillside below the castle. The river itself used to be called the Tarrant. Later, people renamed it after the town.
Arundel is located just north of the A27 road. This road has a short bypass that goes around the town center. There have been many discussions about building a larger, better bypass for the town. In 2018, plans for a new four-mile dual carriageway bypass were announced.
Arundel has its own Arundel railway station on the Arun Valley Line. This makes it easy to travel to and from the town by train. The Monarch's Way, a long-distance walking path, also goes through Arundel. Another famous path, the South Downs Way, runs just a few miles north of the town.
It's interesting to note that the town of Arundel itself is just outside the official boundaries of the South Downs National Park.
Life in Arundel
Arundel is home to two very important buildings:
- Arundel Castle: This is the historic home of the Duke of Norfolk.
- Arundel Cathedral: This is the main church for the Catholic Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.
On July 6, 2004, Arundel was given "Fairtrade Town" status. This means the town supports fair trade practices, helping producers in developing countries get a fair price for their goods.
People who are born in Arundel are sometimes called "Mullets" by locals. This is because there are many mullet fish in the River Arun!
Arundel is also home to one of the oldest Scouting groups in the world. The 1st Arundel (Earl of Arundel's Own) Scout Group started in 1908, just weeks after Scouting began. They have active groups for Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Scouts.
Sports and Fun
Arundel has its own non-League football club called Arundel F.C.. They play their games at Mill Road.
The town also has a beautiful cricket ground right at the castle. Many people say it's one of the prettiest cricket grounds in the country! The Sussex County Cricket Club plays some of its games here each season.
Famous People from Arundel
Many interesting people have connections to Arundel:
- Christopher Alexander: A well-known architect.
- Mary Cuningham Chater: A composer and music advisor.
- Nigel Cumberland: An author.
- Derek Davis: A talented potter and painter.
- Judy Geeson: An actress.
- St Philip Howard: A nobleman from the time of Queen Elizabeth I who was a martyr for his Catholic faith.
- Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon: A teacher and artist who lived in Arundel as a child.
- C. E. M. Joad: A philosopher and radio presenter who wrote many books near Arundel.
- George MacDonald: A pastor at Trinity Congregational Church in Arundel in 1850.
- Liam Treadwell: A jockey.
Images for kids
-
Town overlooked by castle
-
Arundel's old marketplace
-
Arundel Town Hall
-
Arundel's old town main street
-
The River Arun at Arundel.
-
Arundel cathedral from the South
-
The church of St Nicholas
See also
In Spanish: Arundel (Inglaterra) para niños
