Arundel Castle Summary

• Address: Mill Road, Arundel, BN18 9AB (Map)
• Tel: +44 (0)1903 882173
• Fax: +44 (0)1903 884581
• Owner: Arundel Castle Trustees Limited
• Administrator: Bryan McDonald - Arundel Castle Manager
• E-mail: Click here to contact
• Website: Go to the Arundel Castle website

The results of all this history are concentrated at the Castle, which houses a fascinating collection of fine furniture dating from the 16th century, tapestries, clocks, and portraits by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Lawrence, Reynolds, etc. Personal possessions of Mary, Queen of Scots and a selection of historical, religious and heraldic items from the Duke of Norfolk's collection are also on display.

There have been many royal visits: Queen Victoria (1819-1901) came from Osborne House with her husband, Prince Albert, for three days in 1846, for which the bedroom and library furniture were specially commissioned and made by a leading London furniture designer. Her portrait by William Fowler was specially commissioned by the 13th Duke in 1843. These can be seen during a visit.

The building we see now owes much to Henry, 15th Duke of Norfolk (1847-1917). It was one of the first English country houses to be fitted with electric light, integral fire fighting equipment, service lifts and central heating. The gravity fed domestic water supply also supplied the town. Electricity cost over £36,000 to install, but the splendidly carved chimneypiece in the Drawing Room only cost £150!

The Duke of Norfolk is the premier Duke, the title having been conferred on Sir John Howard in 1483 by his friend King Richard III. The Dukedom carries with it (since 1672) the hereditary office of Earl Marshal of England.

This means that the Duke is in charge of state ceremonial such as the coronation and funeral of the sovereign and such occasions as the sovereign declares shall be a state occasion, for example the investiture of HRH The Prince of Wales and the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill.

Arundel Castle is now the home of The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk and their children; for more information, visit their Website.

Opening Times - 2012

Summer:

• 31st March - 4th November: Tuesday - Sunday, Bank Holidays & August Mondays
• Kitchen Gardens Fitzalan Chapel, Gardens & Grounds: 10 am - 5 pm
• Main Castle Rooms: 12 pm - 5 pm
• Restaurant & Coffee Shop: 10 am - 4.30 pm
• Castle Keep: 10 am - 4.30 pm
• Shop: 10 am - 5 pm
• Last entry at 4 pm

Winter:

• Closed: November - April

Admission Prices - 2012

Gold Plus

• Adult - £17.00
• Seniors - £14.50
• Child (5-16 years) - £8.00
• Family (2+5 max) - £41.00

Gold

• Adult - £15.00
• Seniors - £12.50
• Child (5-16 years) - £8.00
• Family (2+5 max) - £39.00

Silver

• Adult - £10.00
• Seniors - £10.00
• Child (5-16 years) - £8.00

Bronze

• Adult - £8.00
• Seniors - £8.00
• Child (5-16 years) - £8.00

Pre-booked Groups - Welcome, subject to minimum fee, see their Website.

Further information including opening times and prices

Image Gallery

Events for Arundel Castle

• Pirate Days - 20 May 2012
  Story Teller, with demonstrations and Have-a-go Fencing.
• A Castle Under Seige - 02 June 2012 to 04 June 2012
  Set during the Wars of the Roses, the Castle is occupied by the Kings men and besieged by rebels. Medieval artillery, siege encampments, crafts, displays and lots of fighting! Brought to life by Raven Tor Living History Group, The Company of St Barbara and The British Plate Armour Society.
• Pirate Days - 08 June 2012
  Story Teller, with demonstrations and Have-a-go Fencing.
• Medieval Tournament - 23 June 2012 to 24 June 2012
  Demonstrations of archery, sword-fighting, crafts, cooking and falconry plus storytelling. The knights and men-at-arms from Raven Tor demonstrate the use of armour and weapons in a Tournament of hand-to-hand combat.
• Jousting and Medieval Tournament - 24 June 2012 to 29 June 2012
  The Knights of Destrier Pro compete for honour and glory in a Jousting Tournament set in an historic Medieval encampment. Also included are crafts, have-ago activities for the whole family and a story teller.

• Pirates and Smugglers - 14 July 2012 to 15 July 2012
  Camped in the grounds are Pirates and Smugglers, the King's soldiers of The 2nd (Queen's) Regiment of Foot attempt to capture them - who will win? With weapon demonstrations, drills, crafts and Have-a-go Fencing and Archery.
• Pirate Days - 02 August 2012
  Story Teller, with demonstrations plus Have-a-go Fencing and Have-a-go Archery.
• Pirate Days - 07 August 2012
  Story Teller, with demonstrations plus Have-a-go Fencing and Have-a-go Archery.
• Mustering for War - 18 August 2012 to 19 August 2012
  The Fitzalan Earls of Arundel household is mustering for the Wars of the Roses campaigns of the 15th century. Archery displays and demonstrations of military tactics by the Raven Tor Living History Group also included, plus Falconry demonstration.
• Arundel Festival - 18 August 2012 to 27 August 2012
  Details to be confirmed

• Shakespeare in the Collector Earl's Garden - 23 August 2012 to 25 August 2012
  Thursday 23rd & Saturday 25th – The Taming of the Shrew and Friday 24th - The Tempest
• The Sussex Ferrari Owners Club - 02 September 2012
  Gorgeous Ferraris to be viewed on the Lower Lawns.
• Pirate Days - 23 September 2012
  Story Teller, with demonstrations and Have-a-go Fencing.
• Normans in the Castle Keep - 31 October 2012 to 01 November 2012
  Norman knights, weapons, combat and crafts, with the Raven Tor Living History Group see the Castle as it was during the reign of King Stephen.

Your Reviews of Arundel Castle

David Smith (29 August 2006)

I went to the opening night 2006 of the Arundel Festival held in the Castle - Katherine Jenkins sang, Fireworks and a Spitfire/ ME109 dogfight. Fantastic location, excellent organisation - strongly recommended for next year.

Pete Butler (16 August 2005)

Arundel Castle suffered misfortune in 1643 when Oliver Cromwell ordered it to receive a little battering. From the 1700's onwards it has undergone much restoration, but it was all worth it, simply to save such a great & beloved landmark. The entire building has to be viewed, and not simply what we see on entering Arundel from the south, yet how many realise that within this Victorian exterior sit two massive storeys of Henry the Second's additions to the castle of c.1180? The remains of his Herbarium still exist too, making it probably the oldest garden in England. Additionally, also to survive the slighting of 1643 are: the 11th and 12th Century curtain wall that almost surrounds the castle; the Norman gatehouse of 1070; the huge Barbican of 1240; the shell keep of 1140 sitting atop its motte of 1070; medieval towers along the curtain wall; all the impressive medieval earthworks [and fishponds]; Elizabethan gallery [converted into the present library in c.1800, etc, etc. I think that its medieval builders would be very proud of its appearance today, and no doubt Henry the Second would be more than satisfied that his Great Hall and Chapel are now put to splendid use as today's Drawing Room and Dining Room, respectively. Arundel Castle is a breathtaking & awesome experience.

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Additional Info for Arundel Castle

• Gardens
• Disabled Access
• Education
• Refreshments
• Guides
• Meals Available
• Filming
• Gifts
• Shop

Heritage Groups

• Historic Houses Association

Credit Cards Accepted

• Mastercard
• Visa
• Delta
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