Sussex Day Trips #9 - Arundel

Many times, while on train or bus, I come across few places so beautiful, I wish I had time to get down and spend time there. Unfortunately I never acted on those instincts. However, when I saw this stunning castle on train ride to Portsmouth, I knew I had to visit it. I managed to bookmark the location in google (which is harder than I thought from a moving train) and planned a trip another weekend.

I visited many castles and palaces in UK & Europe, but this one is different in a way I cannot explain. It’s not promoted like Blenheim or Windsor - when I asked one of the attendants there, he said the castle needs none (he was even little annoyed at my question 🫣). Apparently most visitors are in their way to another location, but stop here when they see the castle (the charm is not lost on anyone 😍). 

The castle also hosts many medieval events and, on the day I visited, was the grand finale of a week long jousting tournament. Moreover, it was the only day it wasn’t raining and I got to see my first jousting on a sunny day 🌞. 

There are tents around the jousting arena where they have displays of various tasks during medieval period. 


The castle grounds are sectioned with rose gardens, glass houses and one secluded section with arches and benches (perfect for secret rendezvous 😉).




There is a church (or is it chapel?🤔)  which seems to serve as resting place for some ancestral members. It is surrounded by shrubs with white flowers.


The castle is of perfect size for a day trip. Bottom part have typical museum display pieces of armoury, library, sculptures, stuffed animals. 






And a section for worship 

Upper part have bedrooms of the royals and lounges.




One room in particular caught my eye. It has everything I want - a queen size bed, window with a view, sofa by fireplace, vintage mirror table and, last but not least, a bath tub 🛁. I could live there forever😊.

There is top part which I missed initially and went back to the gardens. When I spoke to an employee there, he asked if I visited the top part (I think it is called moot or keep). He suggested not to miss it and I went back to the castle through the shortcut he showed. 

The ticket I bought allowed multiple entries into the castle except for the bedroom areas. The keep is top part of circular tower and offers amazing views of the town. 



There wasn’t much time to go to any other places in the town like the cathedral, however I did go to the Swanbourne lake which is about 10 minutes walk from the castle. I took a boat and rowed for a while (they give instructions only when asked 🤷🏻‍♀️). I wasn’t experienced in rowing and, after entire day on foot, it was quite tiring task. I returned rather quickly and headed back to the station.

A Shakespeare play was scheduled few weeks later which I planned to watch, however missed it due to other plans 😔. Someone once said to leave some for next visit and I look forward to visit again for the play😊🤞🏼. 


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