Arundel Castle Castle
Medieval castle with restored interiors and landscaped grounds
Norman foundation overlooking the River Arun in West Sussex, Arundel Castle offers restored interiors, galleries and formal gardens. Visitors tour medieval rooms, armour displays and seasonal exhibitions across the historic grounds.
Arundel Castle at a Glance#
Address: Arundel Castle & Gardens, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AB, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.arundelcastle.org/
About 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.
How to Get to Arundel Castle#
Arundel is about 1 hour by train from London Victoria (change at Barnham on some services) and a short taxi ride from Arundel station. By road it’s reachable from the A27 and A259; parking is available near the castle.
Tips for Visiting Arundel Castle#
- Arrive early in the morning to avoid the biggest tour groups and see the north-facing medieval keep in better light.
- Explore the town of Arundel afterward - the castle's tea-room and antique shops keep good hours.
- Buy tickets on the castle's official website for combined castle-and-gardens entry and to avoid queues.
Best Time to Visit Arundel Castle#
Spring through early autumn is best for gardens and longer visiting hours; winter offers a quieter, more intimate experience.
Weather & Climate near Arundel Castle#
Arundel Castle's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (751 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 83 mm | overcast | 93% | 6.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 51 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.9h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 3° | 61 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 5.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 4° - 13° | 6° | 48 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.6h |
| May | Very Good | 7° - 16° | 12° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.3h |
| June | Very Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 49 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.5 m/s | 1.5 very high | 16.2h |
| July | Very Good | 12° - 21° | 17° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.6 m/s | 1.5 very high | 15.7h |
| August | Very Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.3h |
| September | Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 82 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.6h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 4° | 83 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 9° | 2° | 81 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 7.9h |
