Arundel Castle

The Norman keep dominates Arundel's skyline from miles away, rising above the River Arun like something from a storybook. The castle itself is genuinely impressive - a proper medieval fortress rather than a ruin - with enough interior rooms and grounds to fill a solid half-day, longer if you're the type who reads every placard.

You get a real sense of how these places functioned as both homes and strongholds. The rooms are furnished, the views from the battlements sweep across Sussex's rolling countryside, and the grounds include formal gardens that actually feel cared for rather than tired. Kids tend to enjoy the ramparts more than the period furniture, though if yours are into castles full stop, they'll find plenty to keep them occupied.

It's a paid attraction and worth budgeting for, though you'll want to check current opening hours and admission prices before you go. Summer weekends get rammed with school groups - weekday mornings are much more pleasant. Allow a couple of hours minimum, three if you're thorough.

Stay at Brookside Caravan Park just 1.8 miles south and you're minutes from the town centre. Arundel itself is an easy walk from there - proper little market town with decent fish and chips, a decent pub or two, and enough character to justify an evening stroll. Littlehampton Caravan and Motorhome Club is only 2 miles away if that suits your setup better. The castle justifies the trip, particularly if you're touring the wider Sussex coast.