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Uncover Arundel Cathedral: A Magical Piece of British History
Updated: Oct 28, 2024
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 of 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 definitely holds its own! Read on to find out all about its history and why we fell in love with this magnificent cathedral.
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History, photos and facts about Arundel Cathedral
Arundel was one of the first places we visited together in England on our way to Stonehenge and the marvellous Roman city of Bath (more on that on a future blog post). Located in West Sussex, Arundel is famous for its well conserved Georgian buildings and is also home to the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk. The town was established over 1000 years ago and you can sense the rich history throughout.
Construction began on the cathedral in 1868 under the instruction of Henry, the 15th Duke of Norfolk. It took 5 years to build and was designed by architect Joseph Hansom. Built in Bath stone (now very hard to find in England), the cathedral was to rival the magnificence and splendour of Arundel Castle and Hansom duly obliged. Originally dedicated to St Philip Neri, official Cathedral status was granted in 1965.
We had travelled to Scotland prior to this adventure and it is fair to say that Jenn had already seen a fair bit of the beautiful history and architecture that Britain has to offer. But this ended up being something so much more than just dazzling stained glass and epic stone construction. From the spectacular rose window to the clusters of pillars and beautiful vaulted ceilings, it was a sight to behold and its story and energy completely drew us in. Totally unforgettable!
The impressive organ of the cathedral is thought to have been commissioned in 1867 for a London Church in Islington but was enlarged and transferred to Arundel in 1873. Little is known about its origins and indeed why it was chosen for Arundel. We do know it was produced by William Hill & Sons however, who at the time were highly regarded in the industry. We were immediately drawn to it when we visited, we wish we would have been able to hear it in action too!
As we were wandering amongst the pews we couldn't help but take notice of the alluring stone carvings in the walls. Regardless of whether you are a practicing Christian or not, the beauty and alluring nature of these carvings drew us in and we suppose that was the intention. Following along the walls we couldn't help but imagine what it must have been like to receive messages of this kind and to etch them on stone tablets of the past... let alone carry them across continents.
There was an awesome presence to be felt here and one series of carvings in particular were those showing the path and journey of Christ. The fourteen Stations of the Cross, depicting the last journey from the condemnation of Christ by Pontius Pilot to his crucifixion and laying to rest in the tomb, is showcased in all churches and cathedrals of the Christian faith. But perhaps this is one of the most unique; the method of carefully and brilliantly carving them into the walls was no doubt to help translate impact and curiosity and they certainly do that with aplomb.
For us the grandest feature of all is the phenomenal rose window with the Virgin Mary and her Holy Child at its centre. This amazing window sits above the organ gallery and is a shining light that encases the entire building with its size and glow. It is on the West front and was made by the esteemed Hardman's Workshop of Birmingham. The outer circle depicts the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary. It is hard not to get completely lost in the brilliance of this striking art and craftsmanship!
In her own words Jenn ‘resonated with the cathedral on a spiritual level’. It certainly was a profound feeling as we paused underneath the incredible vaulted dome above the altar, the multi coloured stained glass windows shimmering in our peripheral vision as we took in the energy and solitude of the moment.
This cathedral really is a sight to behold with its incredible attention to detail. It is an epic place of gothic revival architecture, stained glass windows and spiritual energy. Like much of Britain at the time, architects were being asked to design buildings in classical themes, blending the old with the new. You can clearly see the attention to detail here and wherever you look the Cathedral offers a glimpse into past medieval Victorian styles yet with its smooth Bath stone offers a bright and modern feel.
So should you head to Arundel and visit the Cathedral (and the castle too)? Our answer is a resounding YES. In fact you simply must do so if you love historical buildings, British history and places that have an incredible energetic and mystical connection. You certainly feel it here and perhaps it is no coincidence that it is so close to the ancient site of Stonehenge too.
Arundel Castle
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, 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!
If you do have the time, we would highly recommend combining a trip here to Arundel Castle and its incredible grounds. It is just over the road from the cathedral and is one of the finest castles of its kind in all of England. Check out our blog post here to find out more.
How to get to Arundel Cathedral
To reach Arundel Cathedral, you have several options. If traveling by car, use GPS or online maps like Google Maps. Arundel has a train station, and you can take a train to Arundel Railway Station, followed by a 20-minute walk to the cathedral.
If you are more local, check for bus services connecting to Arundel or explore the town on foot if you're already there. Bicycling is also an option, with potential bike routes available.
Contact Information
Address: London Rd, Arundel BN18 9AY, United Kingdom
Email: arundel@abdiocese.org.uk
Opening hours: 9.30am to 4.30pm, 7 days
Contact no: +441903882297
Website: arundelcathedral.uk
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