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One of the Finest in All of England – The Historic Arundel Castle
Updated: 3 days ago
The grand castle of Arundel is home to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and is one of the most impressive castles you will see!
Perched upon a hill in the quaint old town of Arundel in England, this castle is nearly 1000 years old and is beautiful in both its internal and external design.
It is also surrounded by glorious gardens that are worth a visit all on their own!
We had such a wonderful experience here, especially amongst the fountains and roses of the castle gardens. Come and explore this wonderful realm with us.
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History, Photos, and Facts about Arundel Castle
One of our first major trips in England, Arundel holds up as one of our most spectacular.
We are starting to feel like we are saying that about EVERYWHERE we visit, but this time we do mean it!
Arundel is a charming town which is rich in Georgian architecture and medieval influence.
For a small town the castle is incredibly large and of elaborate design, understandable given its strategic importance and history of ownership.
After finding parking, we followed a small creek at the foot of Castle Hill up to the main gate.
We were already enamoured by the grandeur of the castle as it peeked through the trees up above, and it is fair to say that it did not disappoint in the slightest.
We purchased our tickets at the gatehouse, which gives you access to the castle and its wonderful grounds. We couldn’t help but take heaps of photos on the way up the hill!
The castle dates back to 1067, and many of the original features, such as the Gatehouse and Keep, are original.
It was almost completely rebuilt in the 1870s and is regarded as one of the finest works of Victorian England.
As a first-time visitor even the grand gatehouse will not quite prepare you for the sheer scale and beauty of the main structure, blending in seamlessly with the brilliantly kept gardens.
The entrance fee at the time of writing is £25 for adults and £10 for children if you want the full experience of the castle, bedrooms and gardens.
It is slightly cheaper if you would prefer to exclude one or two of the options. We went to the castle and gardens, although in hindsight we wish we had taken all three!
The bedrooms do look marvelous. Maybe next time! Visiting season is April to November and opening times are 10 am to 5 pm.
The castle overlooks the River Arun and was built by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel, in the 11th century.
The grounds sprawl over 40 acres, and it is one of the great treasure houses of England, home not just to the splendid Collector Earl's Garden but also priceless works of art within its walls.
The town of Arundel, along with a third of the entire area of Sussex, was gifted to Roger de Montgomery by William the Conqueror.
It was given in thanks for his help during the Norman Conquest of 1066 and on the proviso that he build a castle to defend the area.
It was he who built the large artificial mound that houses the keep and also the gatehouse and stone walls.
A brief period of ownership under King Henry 1st led to the castle being inherited by his wife after his death.
Her subsequent marriage to William d'Albini brought it into its current lineage.
Despite another brief exchange with the royals during the civil war, it has been passed through the same family ever since.
The castle has since been renovated by many different owners over the years and is filled with history and personality from each of its custodians.
It has held plenty of royal events and was even brought back to the defensive frontline again in World War 2 when it was used by the military with large guns being installed in the park areas near the coast.
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The Award-Winning Collector Earl's Gardens
The award-winning gardens are an absolute must-see in our opinion.
They are so well-groomed and there is a dazzling variety of plants on display, alongside the beautiful fountains and gold-topped ornaments and obelisks.
It felt so romantic and special to be here; we probably spent more time outside than we did inside the castle!
The Rose Garden
We were in our element wandering amongst the wonderful smells and sights of nature in all of its glory.
The Rose Garden in particular was magnificent... Jenn didn't want to leave! It was aromatic and beautiful, fit for royalty!
We had never been in a garden with such fragrant flowers; it reminded us of one of the very first poems Jenn wrote when we were falling in love, titled 'botanical'
Fitzalan Chapel
The castle has suffered several sieges in its time, with the most damaging during the mid-1600s in the civil war between Parliamentarians and Royalists.
Both parties had control of the castle at one point with much damage done to the Fitzalan Chapel in the grounds and the external castle walls.
Fitzalan Chapel was a particular highlight for us. Dating back to 1380, after being commissioned by Richard Fitzalan, the 4th Earl of Arundel, it was constructed in the typical French Gothic style of the time and is a grade I listed building.
It is also the private mausoleum of all of the Dukes of Norfolk and houses many tombs which are all beautifully engraved.
This charming chapel suffered significant damage during the siege of 1643, as mentioned earlier, and after many years of neglect, it was eventually restored by Bernard Howard (12th Duke of Norfolk).
The restoration process must have been painstaking; the intricacy and detail on display everywhere we looked were mightily impressive. It is as beautiful as it is peaceful and serene.
Interestingly, this is one of the very few church buildings in England that is divided into two worship areas; the chancel is the Roman Catholic side, and through the gate in the picture below, you can see the Anglican side of the Church of St Nicholas (accessed outside of the castle grounds).
We would highly recommend a visit here. It is a great day out and you could easily spend a good few hours wandering around the castle and its grounds.
The gardens are breath -taking and would be a lovely place to hang out and read a book or just relax in the sun!
Then, of course, you have the epic sight of the Cathedral in the near distance… somewhere you should check out afterwards!
Arundel Cathedral
Just a short walk from the spectacular Arundel Castle stands perhaps one of the best cathedrals in all of England.
It is an impressive sight from the castle gardens and even more beautiful the closer you get to it.
It is not one of the first names that roll off the tongue when talking about the great cathedrals of England, but in this blog we aim to show that it should be!
After spending time at the beautiful castle and gardens of Arundel, we didn't anticipate how impactful the Cathedral would be. But it holds its own!
Find out all about its history, and why we fell in love with this magnificent cathedral. Uncover Arundel Cathedral.
The Town of Arundel
Aside from the two main attractions the town of Arundel also has plenty to offer in its own right.
Beautiful cobbled streets, a museum, local independent stores, and lovely cafes will greet you as you wander around.
It has a lovely quaint ‘old style’ feel to it and is about as traditional British as you can get!
Arundel even has a Town Crier, a position which has been operating since 369 AD, no less!
How to Get to Arundel Castle
Located just a short stroll from Arundel Castle, Arundel Cathedral rises dramatically above the town with its Gothic Revival architecture and stunning views over the South Downs.
Here’s how to reach this magnificent landmark:
By Train
Catch a direct Southern Railway service to Arundel Station from London Victoria, Gatwick Airport, Brighton, or Portsmouth.
Trains run regularly, and the journey from London takes around 90 minutes.
From the station, it’s a 15–20 minute walk through the charming town centre to the cathedral.
By Car
By Bus
On Foot (from Arundel Castle)
By Bicycle
⪢ Contact Information for Arundel Castle
● Address: Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB, United Kingdom
● Email: visits@arundelcastle.org
● Contact no: +441903882173
● Website: arundelcastle.org
⪢ Opening Times
The 2025 season will run from Tuesday, 1st April to Sunday, 2nd November.
Castle & Gardens open from 1st April - 2 November 2025
● Gardens: 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
● Fitzalan Chapel: 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
● Keep: 10.00 am - 4.30 pm
● Castle Rooms: 12.00 noon - 5.00 pm
Last Admission 4.00 pm
Closed on Mondays, except bank holidays and in August
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Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels in Arundel, sourced from reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com.
Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination.
FAQ: Visiting Arundel Castle – England’s Majestic Medieval Fortress
Where is Arundel Castle located?
Arundel Castle is in West Sussex, southern England, overlooking the River Arun. It’s about 90 minutes from London by train or car, making it perfect for a day trip.
What makes Arundel Castle special?
When is Arundel Castle open to visitors?
Can you tour the inside of the castle?
How much does it cost to visit Arundel Castle?
What are the highlights to see at Arundel Castle?
Is Arundel Castle suitable for kids and families?
Are guided tours available?
Is the castle accessible for people with mobility issues?
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