Visit Arundel Castle


A brief history

Arundel Castle is a restored medieval castle and has been a stately home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 850 years. The Castle occupies a defensive site on a prominent hill in West Sussex, overlooking the River Arun and the South Downs.

Roger de Montgomery was a man William the Conqueror could trust. In 1067 De Montgomery was awarded Arundel and given responsibility for defending the Sussex coast against possible French raids or even an invasion, both of which were considered a real threat.

After a short period in the hands of the crown, the Castle, lands and title of Earl of Arundel were given to the d'Albini family in 1155. When Hugh d'Albini died, Arundel Castle and Honor of Arundel was inherited by John Fitzalan.

Arundel was held by the Fitzalan family until 1556 when the last descendant, Mary Fitzalan, married Thomas Howard, fourth Duke of Norfolk, in whose family it remains until today.

The Arundel Castle you see today is mainly down to the 15th Duke of Norfolk, Henry Fitzalan-Howard, who restored the castle and the work was completed in 1900. It was one of the first English Country Houses to be fitted with electricity, lifts and central heating.

A charitable Trust was established in the 1960s to preserve the castle, its surrounding gardens and the Little Park for the benefit of the public.


Things to do at Arundel Castle

THE STATE ROOMS AND BEDROOMS

Wander through the State Rooms and admire the Fine Art, beautiful Collection of 16th and 17th-century furniture, tapestries and intricately carved statues. The walls are hung with a series of portraits dating back to the 16th century, including works by Gainsborough and Lely. 

The Bedrooms are all individually decorated with Victorian and Edwardian bathrooms.

FITZALAN CHAPEL

On the edge of the Arundel Castle grounds, the private Fitzalan Chapel has been the burial place of the Dukes of Norfolk since 1390 and it is one of the very few church buildings that is divided into two worship areas, the chapel is Catholic and the church is Anglican.

The Chapel is a fine example of Gothic architecture with a carved timber roof and choir stalls and contains a profusion of tombs and monuments to the Howard family.

THE GARDENS

The Walled Gardens at Arundel are a celebration of innovative design and horticulture. The different themed gardens include the Rose Garden, the Cut Flower Garden, the Organic Kitchen Garden, the White Garden and the English Herbaceous Borders.

The unique Stumpery has been designed artistically using magnificent old tree stumps from the Norfolk Estate and grapes, chillies and peaches grow in the Victorian Vine House.

A new garden opened at Arundel in May 2008 - The Collector Earl's Garden. It was originally part of the kitchen garden and is dedicated to the 14th Earl of Arundel, Thomas Howard, an avid art collector who lived in the 17th century.


Location

Arundel Castle
Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AB

Official Website: Arundel Castle