Arundel Castle

Standing in 40 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens, Arundel Castle, the seat of The Dukes of Norfolk has been open to visitors for nearly two centuries. It is the home to priceless works of art painting, furniture, tapestries, stained glass, china, clocks, sculpture and carving, heraldry and armour in stunning room settings. Visitors can tour the main castle building and view the rich interiors of a stately home, as well as explore the earlier medieval parts of the castle, the keep and barbican gate. The splendid castle started from modest origins as a motte and bailey castle built by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel, around 1068. Around 1140, a shell keep was added to the top of the motte, followd by curtain walls, a chapel and a garden by King Henry II. Arundel Castle was badly damaged during the Civil War (1642-51) after being besieged twice, first by Royalists and later by Parliamentary forces. Restoration began in the 18th century although most of the building work occurred at the end of the 19th century when Henry, the 15th Duke of Norfolk, rebuilt most of the castle in a grand gothic style.