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Welcome to Arundel Castle & Gardens and The Collector Earl's Garden
Set high on a hill in West Sussex, this great castle commands the landscape with magnificent views across the South Downs and the River Arun. Founded at the end of the 11th Century, it has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for nearly 1000 years.
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. Arundel Castle is one of the longest inhabited country houses in England. Many of the original features such as the crenellated Norman keep, gatehouse and 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.
Stroll through the grounds where 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 & 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.
Contemplate in the 14th Century Fitzalan Chapel, burial place of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors. Ascend to the top of the Norman Motte & Keep that overlook some of the most beautiful downland in England and out to sea. Discover the rich history of The Dukes of Norfolk, the Earls of Arundel and Surrey and the Castle from our friendly and informative guides. Enjoy the grandeur of the finely preserved interior with its fascinating furniture, tapestries and rare collection of paintings by renowned artists including Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Canaletto.
The Private Chapel inside the castle is one of the most perfect monuments of 19th Century Catholic revival in England. Admire the exquisite craftsmanship evident throughout the Castle, typified by the rich mahogany panelling and vaulting that has marked out the Library as one of the finest Regency interiors in the world. Ascend the grand staircase and discover the Castle Bedrooms and Victorian bathrooms.
The Collector Earl's Garden - This new formal garden is a light-hearted tribute to Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel (1585 - 1646), known as 'The Collector'. It has been 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 domed pergola and fountains are based on those seen in the garden vista in the background of the famous Mytens portrait of the Countess of Arundel (in the drawing room here), while the various gateways and pavilions are based on Inigo Jones's designs for Arundel House.
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. The grand centrepiece is the rockwork 'mountain' planted with palms and unusual ferns to represent another world, supporting a green oak version of 'Oberon's Palace', a fantastic spectacle designed by Inigo Jones for Prince Henry's Masque on New Year's Day 1611, flanked by two green oak obelisks. This contains a shell-lined interior with a stalagmite fountain and gilded coronet 'dancing' on a jet of water.
The Stumpery has been designed artistically using magnificent old tree stumps from the Norfolk Estate. Planted with Cowslips, Foxgloves, Ferns, Hellebores, Euphorbias, Primroses and native Bluebells, the Stumpery encourages wildlife and insects including hedgehogs, butterflies and stag beetles.
The stunning English Herbaceous Borders have been redesigned with a natural style, using classic plantings such as tall Delphiniums, Lupins, Salvias, Alliums, Nepetas, Thalictrums, Geraniums, Roses, Alchemilla Mollis using blues, whites and pinks.
The Tropical Glass House features exotic Paw Paws, Passion Fruit, Bananas, Hot Chilli Collection, Coffee plants and Bird of Paradise plants. The restored Victorian Vine House has grape vines and fan-trained Chinese flat peaches.
The Cut Flower Garden, features Sweet Peas, Lavenders, Gladioli's, Alliums, Dahlias, Rudbeckias and English Roses.
By the Fitzalan Chapel, the tranquil White Garden is planted with soft white Iceberg Roses, Cosmos, Cleomes, and Snow White Erymurus Lilies.
The Rose Garden occupies the site of a Medieval bowling green. This garden is newly planted with lovely heavily scented old-fashioned English Roses that are at their very best in June and July.
The Organic Kitchen Garden produces a wonderful array of seasonal fruit and vegetables, and features flowers that attract beneficial insects, and deter unwanted ones. The old walls have fan-trained pears, cherries and apples and there are two lovely espalier apple arches divided by a small pond and fountain.
Opening details
Also open Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Bank Holiday Mondays & August Mondays
Last admission 16:00
Prices
Adult: £11 - £20
Concession: £11 - £17:50
Child: £11
Family: £41 - £45
Family: 2 adults and up to 3 children (5 to 16 years old)
Special Event Prices
Please note that Special Event Gold Plus admission prices will apply for the Castle Siege Weekend & Joust Week events below - please see the Castle website for details.
Castle Siege - Saturday 27, Sunday 28 & Monday 29 May 2017
Arundel Castle International Joust Week 25 to 30 July 2017
Also at this Venue
Also see
- Children's Attractions
Reviews
Contact
Bryan McDonald - Castle Manager
Address
Arundel,
West Sussex,
BN18 9AB
Location
Directions
Map reference: TQ 018071 Lat: 50.85581 Long: -0.55339
Arundel - A27 between Chichester and Worthing
Parking: Pay & Display opposite main Castle entrance in Mill Road, Arundel
Parking: with charge
Accessible by Public Transport: 1 mile from Arundel station
Nearby
Facilities
Baby changing facilities
Coach parties accepted
Credit cards accepted (no fee)
Disabled toilets
Education/study area
Facilities for educational visits
Gift shop
On-site catering
On-site light refreshments
Picnic site
Public toilets
Regional Tourist Board Member
Welcome Host
Wheelchairs available
Accepts groups
Helicopter landing
Children welcome
Disabled access
Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
Smoking not allowed
Self-Assessed Accessibility Details
Parking
Designated parking for guests with disabilities
- The surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance:
is solid
Drop-off point for guests outside entrance
- The route from the parking area to the entrance:
Is flat (i.e. without steps)
Public Areas
- Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift:
From the entrance to reception / ticket area
Good contrast between the floor and walls
Baby changing facilities
Visitor information available in large print (14pt and over)
General
Hearing loop system
Seating available for visitors with limited mobility
Clear signage
Effective lighting for visually impaired visitors
Wheelchairs provided
Free
Routes/pathways suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility
Displays at suitable height for wheelchair users / children
Entrance
Steps to the main entrance
Handrail by steps
Ramp to entrance
Handrail by ramp
Entrance is well lit
Food
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift to cafeteria
Good contrast between the floor and walls
- Restaurant / cafe provide meals for visitors with special dietary requirements:
Sugar free (diabetic)
Gluten free (coeliacs)
Lactose free (dairy free)
Vegetarian
Vegan
Seating suitable for wheelchair users, ie moveable and good height for person sitting in a wheelchair
High chairs for children
Children's menu
Notes
Please visit the National Disabled Access Guide – Arundel Castle at www.disabledgo.info for independent information about accessibility at Arundel Castle