Arundel Castle

Set high on a hill in West Sussex, Arundel Castle commands the surrounding landscape with extensive views across the South Downs and the River Arun. Built at the later part of the 11th Century, Arundel has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 900 years.

Set in 40 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens, Arundel Castle has been open to visitors seasonally for nearly 200 years. It is one of the great treasure houses of England, having its own unique place in history and home to priceless works of art.

The original castle was founded on Christmas Day 1067 by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel, one of William the Conqueror's most loyal barons. He was awarded a third of Sussex with the stipulation that a new castle be built near the mouth of the Arun to protect the approaches to Sussex from attack.

The Castle is one of the longest inhabited country houses in England. Many of the original features such as the crenelated Norman keep, gatehouse, barbican and the lower part of Bevis Tower survive. Between the 1870s and 1890s the house was almost completely rebuilt and the magnificent architecture in Gothic style is considered to be one of the great works of Victorian England.

In the grounds you will discover different themed gardens; the rose garden planted in contemporary style; the Chapel garden with white and cool coloured plants; the cutting garden with tender perennials and rare plants; the renovated Victorian peach house and vinery where exotic fruits and vegetables are cultivated.

The Gardens and grounds are planted sympathetically, and managed with an organic, eco friendly ethos to encourage wild flowers, beneficial insects and wildlife.

The Collector Earls Garden is a new formal garden in a light-hearted tribute to Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel (1585 - 1646), known as 'The Collector'. It was designed by Isabel and Julian Bannerman with Russell Taylor as job architect, and has been conceived as a Jacobean formal garden. It is in fact an imaginative re-creation of what the Collector Earl's formal garden may have been like at Arundel House, his town palace overlooking the Thames in London.

The garden is divided into formal courts with a centre canal pond, tufa-lined cascade and wild flower labyrinth. The planting is restrained with scented magnolia grandiflora, Indian Bean Trees, shrubs and semitropical plants taking advantage of the walls to trap heat.

It is recommended that you allow at least 3 hours for your visit.