Arundel is a historic town on the edge of the South Downs National Park. It is mainly famous for its medieval castle, which is the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk.
The settlement was established during the Normandy invasion, but it had to wait for municipal rights until the 19th century. In the past, its inhabitants worked mainly in agriculture and trade. To this day, a lot of historic buildings have survived, including frame houses from the Tudor period.
The biggest attraction and most important monument of the city is Arundel Castle. Its origins date back to the 11th century, and it has been rebuilt many times in its history. Despite this, it has retained its early Gothic shape and massive towers that rise above the much lower buildings of the town. The castle is open to the public. You can see chambers decorated in different styles, the Fitzalan Chapel, the tower with a viewing point and extensive gardens.
Arundel also has a magnificent neo-Gothic Roman-Catholic cathedral. Its construction was financed by the Howard family, the Dukes of Norfolk in the second half of the 19th century. The Dukes of Norfolk, one of the most important noble families of Great Britain, are Catholic, which distinguishes them from the peers of England.
Although Arundel is a small town, its history with the Dukes of Norfolk is long and rich. You can explore it at the Arundel Museum, which has exhibitions related to the daily life of the inhabitants and historical events taking place in the area.
