“Arundel is so perfect it can seem almost unreal. Even its name somehow brings to mind an ancient, mythical stronghold – another Camelot” says Discover Britain.
This beautiful West Sussex town and its castle are the historic heart of the South Downs National Park. The picture-perfect townscape boasts a medieval castle on the bend of a river, all romantic towers and turrets, dwarfing a toytown of black-and-white timber houses, with the verdant Arun Valley as it’s fairy-tale backdrop. You could be forgiven for thinking you had walked on to the set of the similarly named Arendelle in the Disney film Frozen.
The local tourist website visitarundel.co.uk sums up the little city, which has the added benefit of being a stone’s throw from the coast and within easy reach of London too, as having “something for everyone.”
They say: “Combining one thousand years of history with independent shops, contemporary art galleries, restaurants, cafes, delightful drinking spots, great attractions and a thriving events calendar.”
Then it has the South Downs on its doorstep offering all manner of outdoors pursuits from walking and cycling to canoeing in the river Arun.
The beautiful city is dominated by its castle and its cathedral. Arundel Castle was founded on Christmas Day in 1067, which just adds to its magical quality, by Roger de Montgomery, the first Earl of Arundel. It is one of England’s longest-inhabited country houses, the seat and still the home of the Duke of Norfolk, England’s premier duke.
The castle was badly damaged in the Civil War and most of what you see today is the result of an extensive restoration that was completed in 1900. The present-day building owes much to Henry, the 15th Duke, who ensured that it was one of the first English country houses to be fitted with electric light and central heating.
Arundel Castle still holds plenty of medieval nooks and crannies with plenty of Old Master paintings to tapestries, china and clocks. Sadly, some of the family’s most precious treasures – including the gold rosary beads that Mary, Queen of Scots carried to her execution in 1587 – were stolen from the castle in 2021 and are yet to be recovered.
The oldest part of the castle is the Norman keep, whose ancient tower is reached by 131 steps – worth the effort for the breathtaking view of the river, town, South Downs and sea.
Outside is the beautiful Earl’s Garden which sprinkles more fairy dust over this magical place and includes an ornamental grotto flanked by urns and caryatids; ‘Oberon’s Palace’ – an exotic structure of green oak standing in jungly foliage; and a stalagmite fountain with a gilded coronet dancing on top of the jet. Thousands of cheerful tulips enliven the gardens in springtime for the annual Tulip Festival attracting 40,000 visitors.
Also in the grounds is the Fitzalan Chapel, founded in 1390 by the 4th Earl of Arundel and has been used as the family chapel ever since described as “a serene space with a Gothic timber roof and carved stone tombs.” In 1879, it was decreed that the chapel did not form part of the adjacent Protestant parish church but was an independent place of worship, which would forever remain Catholic.
The other Catholic place of worship is of course Arundel Cathedral which stands at the town’s highest point on a hill and dates back to 1873. The annual Corpus Christi celebration at Arundel Cathedral features a stunning display of flowers and devotion, drawing in visitors and worshippers from various corners of the globe. The intricate floral carpet, painstakingly put together in just one day by dedicated volunteers, showcases a distinct theme each year. Guests have the opportunity to observe the creation process or marvel at the breathtaking display in all its glory over the subsequent days. The celebration and famous Carpet of Flowers, will be held on Wednesday June 18 and Thursday June 19 this year (2025)
Arundel is also renowned for its collection of antique shops and antique centres and is a popular destination for professional collectors and keen browsers. The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow has visited Arundel multiple times.