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Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle, 

Arundel,  West Sussex,   BN18 9AB,   United Kingdom

Arundel Castle is a magnificent and historic castle located in Arundel, West Sussex, England. Founded in 1067 by Roger de Montgomery, a loyal baron of William the Conqueror, the castle has been the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk for over 850 years, making it one of the longest-inhabited aristocratic homes in England. Arundel Castle is renowned for its stunning medieval architecture, grand state rooms, extensive art collections, and beautifully landscaped gardens. It stands as a testament to nearly a thousand years of English history, blending Gothic, Victorian, and Baroque architectural styles with modern luxury and preservation.

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two towers featuring crenellated tops and a central archway secured by a metal portcullis. A coat of arms is displayed above the archway, and the gateway is surrounded by greenery, including grass, trees, and potted flowers.
A Portal to the Past: The Grandeur of a Medieval Castle Gateway  ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk .
A medieval castle gateway made of stone and flint, with rounded towers featuring crenellated tops and a central archway. A Union Jack flag flies atop the gateway, and a poster for 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' by Shakespeare is displayed on the right tower. A red door, signboard with opening times, and lush greenery with red flowers frame the scene
Where History Meets Culture: The Timeless Appeal of a Medieval Castle Gateway  ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk .
pointed-arch windows on a grassy hill under a clear blue sky.
Castle Walls  ‐ photo by ,
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A wide view of a large, historic stone castle with turrets and many windows, seen from a slightly elevated position. In front of the castle is a curving gravel driveway surrounded by manicured lawns and perfectly shaped bushes, including spheres and cones. The sky is a pale blue with some cloud.
Arundel Castle Gardens and Architecture
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A wide-angle shot of a sprawling stone castle, featuring crenellated battlements and towers. In the foreground, immaculately kept lawns with striped patterns lead to a circular fountain. Various trees and shaped bushes are dotted across the grounds. A grey gravel driveway curves towards the castle.
Historic Castle and Gardens on a Sunny Day
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A photograph shows a castle with stone walls and battlements. A flagpole flies a colourful Royal Standard against a blue sky with white clouds.
Royal Standard Flying Over Castle Battlements
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A party of people walks up a wide stone staircase towards the imposing stone keep of Dover Castle, which has a flag flying from its parapet.
A Journey Through History
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A wide stone staircase with battlements on either side leads upwards towards a medieval stone castle keep under a bright blue sky with white clouds. A flag flies from the top of the keep.
Historic Castle Keep and Stone Staircase
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Stone staircase leading down into a medieval castle courtyard with towers, battlements and visitors, set against a rural landscape under a partly cloudy sky.
Medieval castle courtyard and stone staircase1
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A rustic wooden gate and doorway, labelled 'The Dungeon and Store Room,' stands in front of a historical stone wall. Several weathered wooden barrels are placed around the entrance, and a wooden walkway with people can be seen above.
Entrance to The Dungeon and Store Room
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Descending a narrow, stone staircase covered in moss and fallen leaves, which leads to a dark opening protected by an old metal gate. Behind the gate, a draped form is visible in the gloom.
Arundel Castle
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A view looking into the courtyard of a historic stone castle. People are visible on the battlements above and in the courtyard below, near an information board and a small wooden building with barrels.
Arundel Castle
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Historic stone castle courtyard with tall walls, a wooden upper walkway and visitors gathered around a small timber shelter.
Medieval castle courtyard with upper walkway
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A wooden footbridge with black railings curves towards the entrance of a stone castle, which features crenellated battlements and an arched doorway.
Castle Footbridge and Entrance  ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk .
People walking on a stone walkway atop a castle wall with a series of small stone shelters and a black metal railing.
Castle Ramparts with Tourists  ‐ photo by ,
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A view from a wooden walkway overlooking a historic castle's stone walls and courtyard. People are visible walking along the ramparts under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
Castle Ramparts Walkway  ‐ photo by ,
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A wide shot of Arundel Castle in West Sussex, England, featuring its stone towers and battlements against a bright blue sky with some clouds. Green trees and grass surround the castle.
Arundel Castle
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A gravel pathway approaches the fortified entrance of a medieval castle with stone walls and turrets, viewed under a bright blue sky and dappled tree shadows.
Castle Gateway and Approach
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Medieval stone keep with battlements and a tall tower on a grassy mound under a clear blue sky.
Medieval stone keep on grassy motte
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A stone castle tower with battlements stands prominently, viewed from the side of another stone wall. A grassy, sloped moat area with patches of dried grass leads towards an archway entrance. The sky is blue with scattered white clouds.
A Medieval Masterpiece
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A stone bridge curves towards the imposing gateway of a historic castle, with crenellated towers and arched entrance. The scene is bathed in sunlight under a bright blue, partly cloudy sky.
Castle Gateway and Bridge
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A medieval stone castle tower and walls on a grassy hill, with a wooden walkway in the foreground and a bright blue sky with clouds above.
Arundel Castle, West Sussex, England
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©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A stone castle drawbridge leads to an arched gateway of a historic castle. The castle walls and a tower are made of grey stone with some yellow stone accents. The sky is a vibrant blue with scattered white clouds.
Arundel Castle Entrance
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©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
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Arundel Castle was founded in 1067 by Roger de Montgomery, a Norman baron who was a close ally of William the Conqueror. The castle was originally built as a motte-and-bailey fortress to defend the region and assert Norman control over the newly conquered England. Over the centuries, Arundel Castle evolved from a defensive stronghold into a grand aristocratic residence, reflecting the power, wealth, and influence of its owners, the Dukes of Norfolk.

The Dukes of Norfolk, one of the oldest and most prestigious aristocratic families in England, have owned and inhabited Arundel Castle for over 850 years. The castle has witnessed and played a role in many of the key events of English history, including the Norman Conquest, the Civil War, and the Victorian era. It has also hosted numerous royal visitors, including Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.

During the English Civil War (1642–1651), Arundel Castle was besieged and damaged by Parliamentarian forces. However, it was later restored and expanded by the 18th and 19th Dukes of Norfolk, who transformed it into the grand and luxurious residence that we see today. The castle’s Gothic Revival architecture, added in the 19th century, is a striking example of the romantic and historical revival of medieval styles during the Victorian era.

Today, Arundel Castle is not only a historic monument but also a living, breathing home to the current Duke of Norfolk and his family. It stands as a symbol of the enduring legacy of the Dukes of Norfolk and the rich history of England.

Exterior Features

  • Motte and Bailey – The original motte-and-bailey design of Arundel Castle is still visible today, with the motte (a raised earthwork) providing a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. The bailey (a fortified enclosure) was once the heart of the castle’s defensive system.
  • Gatehouse – The grand gatehouse is one of the most iconic features of Arundel Castle. Built in the 14th century, it serves as the main entrance to the castle and is a striking example of medieval military architecture.
  • Barbican – The barbican, a fortified gateway, was added in the 13th century to enhance the castle’s defenses. Today, it provides a dramatic entrance for visitors, setting the tone for the historic experience that awaits inside.
  • Towers – Arundel Castle features several towers, including the Keep, the Bevis Tower, and the Norfolk Tower. These towers were originally built for defense but now offer stunning views of the castle and its surroundings.
  • Stables and Coach House – The stables and coach house, built in the 19th century, showcase the equestrian heritage of the castle. Today, they house a collection of historic carriages and provide insights into the transportation of the Victorian era.

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