Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle is a restored medieval castle in West Sussex, England, overlooking the town of Arundel and the River Arun. Originally founded soon after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, it has served as the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk for much of its history and contains substantial historic interiors and gardens.

The complex includes a Norman keep, medieval curtain walls and extensive state rooms that were remodelled in later periods; visitors tour the keep, state apartments, chapel and formal gardens. The castle estate also contains the Fitzalan Chapel and landscaped grounds designed and altered over several centuries.

Arundel Castle was established by the early Norman lords in the decades after 1066 and has seen successive repairs, expansions and restorations from the medieval period through the Victorian era. It has been used as a defensive stronghold, a noble residence and later as a historic house open to the public.

The castle is located in the market town of Arundel in southern England, set on a hill above the River Arun and about 20 miles (roughly 30 kilometres) south of the city of Chichester and within reach of the South Downs National Park.

• Ownership and founding: Founded shortly after the Norman Conquest, the castle has been the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and remains privately owned by the Howard family while operating as a visitor attraction.

What to See #

• Great Keep: The medieval keep perched on a motte offers views over the town and the River Arun and is the oldest standing part of the castle complex.
• State Rooms and interiors: State Rooms and historic interiors largely dating from Tudor to Victorian remodelling, open to visitors as part of guided tours of the private family residence.
• Gardens and Fitzalan Chapel: Formal gardens, a landscaped terrace and the Fitzalan Chapel - the private mausoleum of the Dukes of Norfolk - within the castle precincts.