Travel bucket list idea:
Arundel Castle
Arundel, West Sussex , United Kingdom (UK)
Last updated: 12 March, 2024
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.
While you’re there
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.
Logistics
Price from: £20
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
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.
When to do it
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.
