Arundel Museum

Arundel Museum stands in the heart of Arundel, a historic town in West Sussex beside the River Arun. The museum occupies a modern building near the riverbank, opposite the Lower Castle Gate. It is run by volunteers from the Arundel Museum Society, a registered charity supported by donations and fundraising. The society began in 1963 to preserve local heritage threatened by development. Early displays filled old prison cells beneath the town hall, relying entirely on volunteer effort. The museum’s significance grew after moving to a Grade II* listed Georgian building in 1977. It became one of the first in the area to meet national museum standards, gaining registration and later accreditation. Volunteers recorded oral histories published as *Arundel Voices*, created a port history display, and launched guided walks. When the lease ended in 2007, the society faced uncertainty until local estates offered a new site in the town centre. Today’s museum opened in 2013 after a £1.4 million rebuild supported by grants and local fundraising. The architect Graham Whitehouse designed the new building, while Jonothan Potter shaped its internal displays. Eight galleries now show Arundel’s past, from trade along the river to daily life in the town. Temporary homes during the move included portacabins and a mews space serving as a tourist information point. The Duke of Norfolk opened the current museum beside the river, linking past and present for visitors.