Things to do in Arundel with kids

At the castle, choose a route before promising every tower and room. The Keep has more than a hundred steep steps, so it may suit confident older children better than a family managing a buggy. Gardens and selected rooms can make a complete visit without the climb. Rooms open at noon; an early arrival can begin outdoors, but this is less appealing in persistent rain. Check dated demonstrations and trails rather than expecting an event every day. The wetland centre offers a different pace: watch a few habitats, use a spotter sheet and leave time for play. Two or three hours with a food break is a sensible starting point. Most paved routes and boardwalks are buggy-friendly, although the seasonal Waterside Walk is rougher. The Visitor Centre has a Changing Places toilet and accessible facilities. Under-threes enter free, while older children need admission tickets. Ask about a boat safari when you arrive if your family wants one. Places are limited and the extra ticket cannot be reserved with general admission. Children aged seven and under wear the provided life jacket, and high winds or ice can stop sailings. Winter weekdays have fewer options. Hand feeding is currently suspended, so frame the visit around looking and listening rather than feeding birds. For a lower-cost outing, Swanbourne Lake offers a short circuit with plenty to look at. Supervise near the water and check muddy sections before committing to the full loop. The approach from the town and the return each add around 20–30 minutes; a lake visit is not just a twenty-minute gap between indoor attractions. Keep seasonal rowing as an optional separate activity, with its own suitability and weather checks. A practical family day is the wetland centre in the morning, lunch on site and one final favourite area before returning to town. Add only a short quay look if energy remains. For the shorter alternative, visit the museum for 45–75 minutes, choose a proper lunch in the lower streets and finish there. The museum’s tea and biscuits are a snack stop rather than a full meal. A quiet cathedral visit can work for interested children, but it should not be the reward for a long walk when they need active play.