Bucket list experience:
One of England’s great treasure houses, Arundel Castle has been home to the Dukes of Norfolk for over 850 years. The castle houses a fine collection of art, with works by Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Canaletto, while the gardens combine manicured lawns, vibrant herbaceous borders and a charming kitchen garden.
The high point – literally – is the 131-step climb to the top of the Castle Keep, which offers spectacular views across the Sussex countryside.
Just along from the castle, pop your head into St Nicholas’ Church – the only one in the country that’s half Catholic, half Church of England – bizarrely divided by a screen. Refuel with tea and sticky, indulgent homemade cakes at Belinda’s, a 17th-century tearoom on nearby Tarrant Street.
Arundel is near the south coast between Brighton and Worthing, about 1.5 hours by train or car from London. The station is a ten-minute walk away.
Parking in Arundel in summer can be a nightmare; leave the car at the station car park and walk from there, or try parking on Mill Road, which runs from the castle to pretty Swanbourne Lake.
There’s a nice summary on the website of the castle’s history – worth a read before you go.
The castle is open from April to October, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
Autumn is a great time to visit – the trees along Mill Road are a blaze of colour and the village is less crowded.
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Arundel, West Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[5.9 miles]
Luxury and history combine at this authentic 900-year-old castle, complete with beamed bedroom, suits of armour in the dining room, gleaming wood panelling and ornate tapestries.
Official star rating:
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