Arundel - Historic Town in England with Magnificent Castle

It is one of my favourite places, not least because of its castle and its cathedral, two of the first things you see as you enter the town as they dominate the skyline.  I return to Arundel regularly, not just for the sense of history it gives (it is mentioned in the Domesday Book) but for the magnificent gardens which are a delight to visit at any time of the year.  Built at the end of the 11th Century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel, this great castle has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for nearly 1000 years. 

In its long history, the castle has had occasional reversions to the Crown, but mainly it has descended directly from 1138 to the present day, the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 850 years, and still very much inhabited.

The third Duke of Norfolk (1473-1554) was the uncle of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, both of whom became wives of Henry VIII.  In those politically dangerous times many of the Norfolk ancestors met an untimely death.  The 3rd Duke of Norfolk escaped the death penalty only because King Henry VIII died the night before the execution was due: the 4th Duke (1536-72) was accused of plotting to marry Mary Queen of Scots and was beheaded:  and St. Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel (1557-95) died in the Tower of London for his faith.  (Although fiction, the wonderful Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, brings the Norfolk family to life as nothing else does.  Cannot recommend them too highly).

The castle as it stands now owes much to the 15th Duke of Norfolk (1847-1917) who completed the restoration in 1900, in the course of which it became one of the first English country houses to be fitted with electric light, service lifts and central heating.  

So much of this history can be seen in the collection of fine furniture, clocks, tapestries and paintings that line the walls of the castle.  On display are portraits by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Canaletto and others along with personal possessions of Mary, Queen of Scots.  The beautiful carved chimneypiece in the drawing room cost a mere £150 to make and install which tells us a lot about the money paid to fine craftsmen in those days.

Once inside there are guides on hand to explain the history of the house: outside, the views from the top of the lofty keep make the climb worthwhile.

There are many ‘events’ at the castle during the year, most of them being geared to the younger generation, even toddlers.  The ‘siege’ events have an air of a carnival, medieval craftsmen in period costume wandering in and out among the food and drink stalls as the highly entertaining display of the armies battling each other with bows and arrows, swords and cannons on the crest of a hill take place.

Falconry displays are among the most popular offerings for kids from nought to ninety.   Falcons, kestrels, and owls are usually on show, demonstrating their skills and being available to touch and stroke under the watchful eye of the owner.   They are a big draw for 'selfies' although a donation will be expected.

Outside, the gardens which are managed with an organic eco-friendly ethos to encourage wild flowers, insects and wildlife, are a major attraction.  They have been since 1854 when they first opened to the public.

There are many gardens in which to wander, from the internationally renowned Collector Earl’s Garden, The Stumpery, the hot and cool Herbaceous Borders with contrasting foliage plants, the Cut Flower Garden and the Organic Kitchen Garden, These supply the Castle with fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers.  The sheltered location of the gardens makes it possible for many perennials such as Cannas, Salvias, Bananas and Palms to remain in the ground throughout the winter.  Then there is the White Garden by the Fitzalan Chapel, planted with white Iceberg Roses, Cosmos, Cleomes, and Snow White Erymurus Lilies, and the Rose Garden, once a Medieval bowling green now planted with heavily-scented old-fashioned English roses that are at their very best in June and July.  

The Collector Earl’s Garden is a stunning place, with Italianate upper terraces filled with terracotta pots planted with magnificent displays of Tulips in spring and Agapanthus in summer which run along the water rills, whilst the lower terrace has a sub-tropical planting scheme with Palms, Bananas, Canna Lilies, Crown Imperials, and Tree Ferns.  During April & May, Arundel Castle is the place for tulip enthusiasts as over 15,000 tulips are in full bloom - one of the most impressive tulip displays in the country, among which are found Holland’s Glory, Lilac Time, Apeldoorn’s Elite, Black Parrot, Negrita, and the peony flowered Angelique.

The grand centrepiece in the Collector Earl’s Garden  is the ‘mountain’ planted with palms and rare ferns to represent another world with a ‘fun’ addition  of a golden coronet ‘dancing’ on top of the jet of water from the stalagmite fountain inside the shell-lined interior. 

Over a meal in the restaurant or a snack in the cafeteria you may feel that you know the castle.  This may be because you have seen it many times on television as its exterior and interiors have been used for such films as Henry V – The Hollow Crown (BBC):  Henry VIII (Granada):  The Madness of King George, the much Awarded film The Prince and the Pauper (BBC):  Victoria & Albert (BBC):  The Antiques Roadshow (BBC):   Dr Who (BBC) and many others.

Viewing the castle will probably take a day, but try and make time to walk the streets of this lovely old town, or along the banks of the river.   It is a town worth spending time in but it is fortunate in having good transport links to all the other towns along the south coast, and London can be reached in just over an hour so that a return visit can always be scheduled.

http://www.arundel.org.uk/

http://www.arundelcastle.org/

Best book on Arundel Castle:  Arundel Castle by John Martin Robinson 

Available from Amazon.co.uk  £15 Hardback