Arundel Castle

A brief history of Arundel Castle

The Normans
After the Norman invasion of 1066, the new King, William the Conqueror (reign 1066-1087), ordered the construction of a long list of castles to defend his newly won territory. There was a need to plug a vulnerable gap in the South Downs, where the River Arun cuts through the hills. Loyal subject Roger de Montgomery receives the responsibility and one-third of the entire county for his trouble. 

For speed and cost, the fortress was built out of wood. Slowly over the next one hundred years, it was rebuilt using stone. Eventually, the estate is under the control of the Fitzalan family, the Earls of Arundel. The 12th Earl dies, and his daughter marries Thomas Howard, the 4th Duke of Norfolk (hence The Norfolk Arms pub in the high street).

The Dukes of Norfolk
One of the most notorious Dukes was Thomas Howard, the 3rd Duke of Norfolk. It is usual for Royal Courts to be full of ambitious souls trying to catch the ruling monarch's attention. The 3rd Duke cajoled, persuaded and pushed his two nieces, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, to marry King Henry VIII. As you know, both lose their heads at the block. The Duke makes no protest; his ambition overrides his sympathies for his nieces.

The vicious tug of war between Protestant and Roman Catholic saw the Duke walk a political tightrope. He faced imprisonment in the Tower of London, which almost led to his imprisonment; he was on the wrong side of the Christian fence, and he was Catholic. King Henry VIII dies, and the Duke gets a reprieve. He remains locked up through King Edward’s short reign (Edward was Protestant) and is then released when the Catholic Queen Mary came to the throne, and he dies aged eighty. 

The Collector Earl
The 14th Earl of Arundel (the ‘collector Earl) married the Earl of Shrewsbury’s daughter, a fabulously wealthy heiress. Her fortune was put to fair use, buying a superb art collection and marble statues. You will see some of that art during your tour of the Castle. 

Victorian restoration
The Victorian restoration is one of the most successful projects of its type. You can only imagine the magnitude of the task: taking an old castle and restoring it tastefully, while incorporating modern details and conveniences. The restoration took place between 1875 and 1900, a remarkable achievement. It is a designer Castle in many respects, with specially designed door hinges, radiators, and elevators. 

Today, Arundel Castle is the private home of Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk and his family. 

Highlights of the Castle

The Keep
The Keep is the old part of the Castle; the climb onto the walls is well worth it for views of the surrounding countryside. Only from the battlements do you fully appreciate the strategic value of the site. There is a commanding view of the old road and onwards to the coast. Lookouts could have seen enemy boats sailing up the river and called the alarm. Exhibits in the Keep provide a glimpse into medieval life. 

The Chapel
For many people, the chapel is the crowning glory of the 19th-century restorations - the ceiling made of chalk and Painswick stone supported by Purbeck marble columns. Westminster Abbey in London is the inspiration for the chapel structure. Still, Canterbury Cathedral inspires the stained glass; it is beautiful. 

The Fitzalan Chapel is the ancient burial place of the Howards and Fitzalans. There are some intricate effigies on incredibly elaborate tombs. The ‘white’ garden of the chapel is beautiful, which you see as you enter.    

The Barons Hall
The design of Great Halls gives that wow-factor; they are enormous and impressive. Arundel's Barons Hall does not disappoint; the hall measures 133 feet long and 50 feet wide. Family portraits hang on the walls, allowing your tour guide to explain the characters in the story of Arundel Castle. 

The Library
The Library never fails to impress; it is 122 feet long and entirely fitted with architectural features reminiscent of a church, made from Honduras mahogany. The chimneypieces resemble chantry chapels, a component of grand old cathedrals. Libraries must-have books, well, there are ten thousand here, many are incredibly precious.

The Collector Earl's Garden
A sub-tropical and English paradise divided by hedges and classic wooden buildings. The magnificent cathedral overlooks the gardens, creating a lovely backdrop to the whole affair. Enjoy the waterworks and grand seasonal displays. We love the Fitzalan Chapel's White Garden.

The garden is relatively new compared to the castle. The Collector Earl's Gardens Opened in 2008. Originally, the area was a kitchen garden and, more recently, a car park.

Touring and accommodation
Consider including Arundel Castle on your next tour of England. We feature the Castle in our suggested England’s South Coast guided tour, and we have an itinerary for a day tour from London, Brighton Arundel and the Sussex Downs. 

Please stay in the picturesque village of Amberley at the Amberley Castle Hotel near Arundel and use it as a base to tour England's Wine Country. The home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth, is under 30 miles away from Arundel. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard tells the stories of the Royal Navy with interactive displays and tours inside HMS Victory and several other historic vessels. Sail Chichester Harbour and shop in hip Brighton; there are plenty of options our Tour Designers incorporate into your itinerary based on your interests. For those thrill seekers, enjoy the Goodwood Experience, an English estate with motorsport at its heart.

Our five-star option in this region is South Lodge Hotel and Spa, a luxury hotel in Sussex, situated just a short distance from Brighton, Gatwick Airport, and Arundel Castle. There is a wide range of accommodation options available around London, including Manor House Hotels, Guest Houses, and Britain's Finest Hotels. 

If this is your first time in England, we recommend a custom version of our Town and Country Tour, which covers famous places and allows you to utilise your private driver-guide by exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. Our Classic tour of Ireland is a good place to start for the first trip to Ireland, and we suggest the Classic tour of Scotland for your first trip to the bonny Highlands. Merging Wales with England creates a dynamic experience of mountains, stately homes, and cosy country pubs.