Arundel Castle: Tudor Day Trips From London
In this mini ‘day-out’ guide, we will discuss the Tudor history of Arundel Castle, one of the most iconic and well-preserved medieval castles, and provide some essential visitor information.
Arundel Castle: Essential Travel Information
Travel:
- By Train from London Victoria to Arundel direct.
- By Car, around 2 hours from central London.
- Journey Time: 1h 30 mins.
- Travelling from the Station to Castle: Arundel railway station is on the eastern side of the town, about 550 yards from the High Street, across the River Arun.
Key Locations:
Introduction to Arundel Castle
I often get asked: what are your favourite castles to visit in the UK? Well, without a doubt, Arundel Castle is right up there in my top five. If you approach from the east along the A27, you will enjoy the sight of this majestic building perched upon its rocky prominence and imprinted against the West Sussex skyline.
Built around the same time as Windsor, the castle’s outline is familiar, with its towers, turrets and crenellations. Indeed, on several occasions, Arundel has stood in for Windsor Castle in film and on TV.
The oldest existing structures are the Norman Tower or ‘motte’, built on an artificial mound that rises to around 100 feet above the dry moat, followed by the gatehouse, constructed in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries. The original outer bailey now forms a pretty central courtyard, where the rest of the castle’s buildings are arranged.
Unfortunately, the English Civil War inflicted significant damage on the castle. As a result, repairs were undertaken over successive centuries. The most extensive of these were completed in the late nineteenth century by the 15th Duke of Norfolk. This damage resulted in a virtual rebuild in the high Gothic style, which was so fashionable in Victorian England. The Duke also upgraded the fabric of the building, with Arundel Castle becoming the first English stately home to have electricity installed throughout! The buildings you see today are primarily the result of his endeavours.
The Howards Inherit Arundel Castle
But who are the Dukes of Norfolk, and how did they come to hold the title? The story of the current line of the Howards dates back to 1483 when Richard III conferred the title ‘Duke of Norfolk’ upon John Howard for his support of Richard’s usurpation of the throne following the death of Edward IV. Thus, John became the 1st Duke of Norfolk; however, it was not the first, but the third, iteration of the title. Since then, the line has passed unbroken to the current 18th Duke.
During the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, the family’s power base was centred first at Framlingham Castle and then at Kenninghall, both in Norfolk. Arundel Castle only came to the family through marriage when Thomas, the 4th Duke of Norfolk, married Mary FitzAlan, in 1555. She was a young and wealthy heiress – and, incidentally, the great-granddaughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France and the sister of Henry VIII.
Of course, the Howards were at the centre of politics and court life through the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries. The 2nd Duke led the victorious English army at Flodden against the Scots; the universally disliked 3rd Duke was the Uncle to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, while the 4th Duke was executed for his involvement in the Ridolfi plot to marry Mary, Queen of Scots and overthrow Queen Elizabeth I. One thing the Howards were never short of was pride and ruthless ambition.
Visiting The Castle and Town
I recommend spending a generous half-day exploring the castle and the adjacent town. You can visit the Norman keep and wander through countless State and private rooms stuffed full of precious artefacts. Many superlatives come to mind when attempting to describe the magnificence of the castle’s great hall, chapel, and library—my favourite room. But this is no dusty museum! The castle is warm and inviting; it is clear that it is still a much-loved family home maintained in immaculate condition.
However, what stands out for me is the fabulous collection of oil paintings of the Tudor Howard family. All the Dukes are lined up next to one another in the gallery, which lies just beyond the Great Hall. Alongside them is a glorious full-sized portrait of Mary FitzAlan, the heiress to whom the Howards owe so much. Tragically, she died shortly after giving birth to a son and heir in 1557, when she was around 16-17.
You will also want to keep an eye open for the many Tudor miniatures on display, particularly in the library. All the usual ‘suspects’ are there. However, I’ll wager that there will be portraits of some you might never have seen. It is a sheer delight for Tudor lovers to enjoy!
Once you have finished in the castle, you will want to roam the grounds. The FitzAlan Chapel contains several interesting tombs, although none is Tudor; you need to visit Framlingham to see the best of those. There is also the walled garden.
I was there in May when the castle had its tulip festival. Clearly, from the crowds making a beeline to the garden, this is quite a draw! I wondered what the fuss was about, but I didn’t have to wait long to find out. Beyond the high walls lies a breathtaking sight; a garden overflowing with over 60,000 tulips, perfectly coiffed into coordinated displays of colour. It is a welcome assault on the senses. The Cathedral of Our Lady and St. Philip Howard towering over the garden in the background make for the perfect photo opportunity!
The castle sits directly adjacent to the small town of the same name. It is quaint, with several cafes and restaurants where you can rest and restore yourself after a few hours of concentrated time travelling. The High Street climbs up a steep hill, which you must conquer if you wish to visit the cathedral mentioned above and the nave of St Nicolas Church. You might note that the east end of this church makes up the FitzAlan chapel, as discussed above.
On a practical note, close to the castle entrance is a pay-and-display car park if you visit by car. As is often the case, an early arrival makes you more likely to secure a spot. A steep hill winds its way up from the ticket office to the castle and gardens. Thankfully, motorised vehicles shuttle visitors who have limited mobility up and down between the two. There is a cafe onsite within the castle.
For more visitor information, check out the Arundel Castle website.
Other Tudor places to visit nearby:
Cowdray House (16 miles)
Chesworth House (25 miles)
Mary Rose Museum (30 miles)
