Built nearly 1,000 years ago, Arundel Castle remains an awe-inspiring building, with a glorious location next to the river Arun and boasting 40 acres of sweeping grounds.

All of which, of course, makes it a prime spot for history buffs - but also means it works magnificently as a venue for anything from classical to pop to spoken word.

The Arundel Festival, now in its 29th year, offers all these and more, including fireworks and a Spitfire display, making good the Duke of Norfolk's promise to offer something for everyone "whether you are seven or 70".

As if that's not enough, the parallel Fringe event takes place all over town, comprising everything from circus theatre to poetry readings, and the Arundel Gallery Trail, which features nearly 100 artists.

Call 0870 118 1646 for more information.

  • Arundel Gallery Trail, Various shops and houses throughout Arundel, Saturday until Sunday, Sept 3, 2pm-5.30pm daily.

Now in its eighteenth year, the Gallery Trail is a hugely popular part of the Arundel Festival, apparently attracting more than 10,000 visitors over the ten days. Expect a huge variety of work, both traditional and modern, from paintings and ceramics to photography and furniture.

The 50 or so venues include gardens and historic buildings as well as houses and shops.

Wire mesh sculptures have been installed at Arundel Castle as part of the trail, with wire mesh rhinos roaming through the parkland.

  • Katherine Jenkins and Orchestra, Lower Lawns, Arundel Castle, Aug 25, 7.30pm, £35 (under 16s £17.50)

Having performed at such prestigious occasions as Live8 and the VE Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square, Katherine Jenkins is far better known than most of her classical contemporaries, and is now the bestselling classical artist in Britain.

It's worth getting there early too, as there's a Spitfire display at 7pm, while the evening will culminate with an award-winning fireworks display.

  • Georgie Fame, Humphrey Lyttleton, Tina May, Lower Lawns, Arundel Castle, Aug 26, 7.30pm, £25 (under 16s £12.50)

As a sideman, his CV includes such towering artists as Muddy Waters, Joan Armatrading, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison, but ever since Live At The Flamingo, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames' 1963 superb debut album, he's been known as a phenomenal band leader too.

Here, in an impressive triple bill, he is joined by renowned trumpeter and broadcaster Humphrey Lyttleton and the vocally blessed Tina May.

  • Texas, Lower Lawns, Arundel Castle, Sunday, 7.30pm, £35 (under 16s £17.50)

Since the release of I Don't Want A Lover more than 15 years ago, the Scottish popsters have gone on to achieve international fame with a string of hits, including Say What You Want, Black-Eyed Boy and Sleep. So while we may have heard less from Sharleen Spiteri and cronies of late, there's still an arsenal of tracks to sing along to.

  • Phoenix Big Band, The Victoria Institute, Tarrant Street, Arundel, Thursday, 8.15pm.

Club members free, non-members £2.

As part of the parallel Fringe Festival, The Phoenix Big Band are inviting festival-goers to hear swing classics from the likes of Count Basie and Glenn Miller. It's billed as an open rehearsal rather than an actual concert, but as some of the 20 or so players have been members of the band since the Seventies, you'd expect them to know the parts by now.

  • John Mortimer: Mortimer's Miscellany, Barons Hall, Arundel Castle, Thursday, 7.30pm, £25.

Barrister turned writer and dramatist, John Mortimer is a gifted raconteur whose unusual career has given him a wealth of interesting material to draw upon.

Here he presents a highly varied show that includes some anecdotes from the legal world but also draws on poetry, music and bizarre newspaper articles. Poignant at times and funny throughout, this promises to be a highly entertaining evening.

  • Die Fledermaus, Barons Hall, Arundel Castle, Friday, Sept 1, 7.30pm. £40.

He may be known as the waltz king, but Austrian composer Johann Strauss II also wrote numerous polkas, marches and operas, the most famous being this comic operetta.

Based on a German farce, it is an exuberant tale bursting with frivolity and flirtation - but as well as a good deal of laughter, it also guarantees some of the most captivating music ever written.

  • Magdala, Fitzlan Chapel, Arundel Castle, Arundel Sunday Sept 3, 4.30pm, £20.

Founded more than 500 years ago, Magdalen College, Oxford, has a rich musical history - but Magdala is their first ever mixed-voice chapel choir.

They formed in 2002 with the intention of exploring European music of the 15th and 16th Centuries and have met with considerable success, being featured on Radio Three and Channel 4 and notching up several prestigious live appearance. Expect sublime voices and a powerfully moving performance.