Arundel Cathedral

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Built astride a hill Arundel Cathedral sits majestically, overlooking the ancient town of Arundel and stands out as an inspiring landmark in West Sussex. Construction on the church began in late 1869, in French Gothic style, and it was opened on 1 July 1873. The cathedral’s location, construction, design, and dedication owe much to the Howard family, who, as Dukes of Norfolk and Earls of Arundel are the most prominent English Catholic family, and rank first (below the royal family) in the Peerage of England. Since 1102 the seat of the Howards’ ancestors has been Arundel Castle.

With the new Diocese of Arundel and Brighton created in 1965 the church became a Cathedral.

The River Arun is a river in the English county of West Sussex. At 37 miles (60 km) long, it is the longest river entirely in Sussex and one of the longest starting in Sussex after the River Medway, River Wey and River Mole. It is one of the faster flowing rivers in England, and is tidal as far inland as Pallingham Quay, 25.5 miles (41.0 km) upstream from the sea at Littlehampton.

The first major improvements to the river were made between the 1540s and the 1570s, when Arundel became a port, and navigation up to Pallingham was improved, but barges had difficulty negotiating the flash locks that were installed. With the coming of the railways and changes in coastal shipping, Littlehampton superseded Arundel as the port of the Arun.