History & Heritage in Sussex by the Sea
Don’t just picture the scene, come and put yourself in the picture. From some of the country’s oldest and most beautiful architecture at Arundel to ancient traditions and customs, Sussex by the Sea provides a real taste of Olde England.
Arundel has a history which is, in miniature, part of England’s story. Founded soon after the Norman Conquest, the town boasts one of the finest castles in Britain which overlooks the River Arun and the ruins of a Dominican Friary.
Step inside the town’s breathtaking gothic cathedral and admire the Great Rose Window adorned with stained glass.
You can explore Arundel with a blue badge guide. They offer walking tours, lectures and driver guided-tours with commentaries in English or selected foreign languages.
Other places of interest in Arundel are St Nicholas Church, the Arundel Museum History Store and the Arundel Jailhouse to brave the Ghost Experence.
Learn about the influences that shaped Bognor Regis at Bognor Regis Museum. Discover how an 18th Century businessman, ‘Hotham the Hatter’, changed it from a fishing hamlet to a seaside resort chosen by royalty.
Trace Littlehampton’s fascinating history at Littlehampton Museum where you can view a mammoth tooth that’s over 1,000 years old.
Learn how this tranquil location attracted famous painters and poets such as Byron, Coleridge, Shelley and Constable.
Watch the past come back to life at Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre where traditional craftspeople demonstrate how things were done in years gone by.
Also just outside the district in Singleton is the Weald and Downland Museum, showing the way we used to live. Or visit the impressive Fishbourne Roman Palace, discovered by accident during the digging of a water main trench in 1960.
Or over in Storrington we have the Elizabethan Parham House and Gardens where the first foundation stone was laid in 1577, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Inside the house you'll discover many rare and precious collections of paintings, furniture, needlework and antiquities.
Sussex by the Sea also has an abundance of charming towns and villages, each with its own story to tell.
Keep an eye on our events tofind history themed events to attend whilst visiting Sussex by the Sussex.
