Arundel Festival – a perfect day trip

Note: originally published in July 2008, updated in July 2010.

If you’re looking for a day trip out of London, Arundel with its castle, quiant little streets and swans on the river is hard to resist. Even more so if you can time your visit to the historic town to coincide with the famous Arundel Festival held late August.

The 2010 Arundel Festival runs from 20 – 30 August and includes a number of outdoor concerts and plays. This year also includes open air cinema at Swanbourne Lake. As it’s held in August the festival has in the past been plagued by the temperamental British summer weather, so it’s worth mentioning that tickets are non-refundable.

For international guests who rely on public transport back to London, the evening concerts can be a bit tricky, as the last train from Arundel station to London leaves at 22:57.

However, day time events are in abundance during the festival as well, including the Arundel Festival Theatre Trail and the Arundel Gallery Trail.

The Arundel Festival Theatre Trail is a series of plays by Drip Action Theatre Company staged at different venues in Arundel during the festival. 8 plays are performed every day this year including “The Inner Soprano” and “The Visitor”.

While I have yet to experience the Theatre Trail, I have enjoyed some amazing pieces of art on the Arundel Gallery Trail. I felt a bit awkward entering someone’s home to view art, but the artists were very welcoming. The Arundel Gallery Trail runs from 20-30 August this year and features the work of more than 100 artists. All Arundel Gallery Trail venues have free entrance.

Arundel is worth a visit at any time of the year, but if you can fit in a bit of art, music, theatre and fireworks, come visit from 20 – 30 August. I know, I will.

External Links:

- Arundel Festival: http://www.arundelfestival.co.uk/

- Arundel Festival Theatre Trail: http://www.dripaction.co.uk/

- Arundel Gallery Trail: http://www.arundelgallerytrail.co.uk/

- National Rail Enquiries: http://nationalrail.co.uk/

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TAGS: Arundel Festival, travel