Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle, located in West Sussex overlooking the River Arun, was originally built
to defend Sussex from attack.

Arundel Castle has gone through an unbelievable amount of changes throughout its life. Starting off as a simple mote and bailey castle, King Henry II insisted that a shell keep, curtained walls, a royal garden, and a chapel be added in 1140.

After the civil war in the 17th century, the castle was very badly damaged. Restoration began in the 18th century to restore some of the original Norman Features, and again in the 19th century to rebuild the grand gothic features. So what you actually get to see today is the reconstructed version of the original Arundel Castle.

Construction on the castle began in the mid eleventh century under the reign of William the Confessor and was then completed by Roger de Montgomery. Since the 11th century, the great castle has served as a hereditary home to several wealthy families (with occasional reversions back to the crown).

Today the castle is home to the Duke of Norfolk, who is a descendant of the very first inhabitants of Arundel Castle.

Because Arundel Castle has also served as a stately home, the interior is richly decorated and offers exquisite collections of paintings and artwork, including rare pieces by Van Dyck, Canaletto, & Gainsborough. Many of these treasures showcase the strong Catholic faith of the family over the centuries.

As Arundel Castle is set high upon a hill, the area offers breathtaking views across the South Downs. Tourists are welcome to stroll through the vibrantly colored and beautiful gardens surrounding the castle. Make sure not to the miss the walled garden constructed in the 19th century or the striking FitzAlan garden.

Visitors can explore the main castle building, the earlier medieval parts of Arundel Castle, and even the gardens. It is an amazing castle to see and explore and is an interesting piece of English history to visit. You can see Arundel Castle along with countless other fascinating sites with the Great British Heritage Pass.

Planning your visit to Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle is open from March 31st until October 28th, from Tuesday through to Sunday. The opening hours are: