Arundel Castle
The garden surrounding the castle has been open since 1854, providing the public with a luxurious retreat into nature should they desire it. The walled gardens are truly a sight to behold. Within these walls is the world-famous Collector Earl’s Garden. Recently restored by award-winning design duo, Julian and Isabel Bannerman, this garden acts as a memorial dedicated to the 14th Earl of Arundel, Thomas Howard (1585 – 1646). Howard was known as the Collector Earl due to the vast collection of paintings (some 700) along with sculpture, books, prints, drawings and antique jewellery he amassed during his lifetime. Personal touches have been used to commemorate the Earl including monumental green oak constructions, each one a creation pulled from the drawings of Inigo Jones, who was a close friend of the Earl.
Within the grounds is an Organic Kitchen Garden which continues to be used to provide the castle with a continuous supply of fresh vegetables and fruits, along with glorious cut flowers. This supply is aided by the vinery, originally built by Clarke and Hope in 1850 and now fully restored. More traditional English flowers grow here under the imposing gaze of Arundel Cathedral, including roses, Lady's mantle and lavender, of course.
Arundel Castle hosts an Annual Tulip Festival during the month of April. This festival sees the emergence of over sixty thousand flowers throughout the castle grounds. After these flowers have been shown off in full splendour, fireworks take to the sky in what is known colloquially as the ‘Allium Extravaganza’.
Arundel Castle provides the perfect place to visit for those looking to be impressed. Grand, exotic and charming in equal measure, this is the place to overuse those ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.



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Images © Eliza Ford


