Nestled in a broad valley of West Sussex, Arundel Castle stands as a testament to centuries of history and architectural grandeur. Founded in 1067 by Roger de Montgomery the castle has a rich past with elements of the medieval gatehouse and Norman keep that is still intact today. This was added to in the gothic architecture style that was applied when the 15th Duke of Norfolk refurbished the main house in the late 19th century.
The castle isn’t the only part of the grounds which have been restored as the gardens are designed to mirror the complexity of the castle’s interior. Head gardener Martin Duncan has been at the forefront of this garden transformation, and over the past 15 years he has helped create the unique, eccentric garden style, which although can be vary from area to area, end up complementing each other to create the grounds that can be seen here today. Each garden within the castle grounds tells a unique story, blending historical significance with botany. You will feel like you are visiting 15 gardens, with adventurous links that make a complete journey.
The Collector Earl’s Garden
One of the most striking features of Arundel Castle’s grounds is the Collector Earl’s Garden. This garden was created in 2008, designed as a tribute to Thomas Howard, the 14th Earl of Arundel, an avid art collector of the early 17th century. Landscape designer Isabel and Julian Bannerman envisioned this garden as a theatrical space, drawing inspiration from classical Italian gardens.
The Collector Earl’s Garden is a collection of dense vegetation with a mixture of lush greenery and exotic plants such as palms. Architectural follies, and delicate water features further amplifying the extravagant Jacobean nature that the designers were trying to emulate.
Dominating the garden is Oberon’s Palace, an unusual structure inspired by Inigo Jones’ designs, made from green oak and adorned with shell mosaics and figures. Surrounding this central pavilion are parterres filled with fragrant herbs, topiary, and vibrant flowers that change with the seasons, creating an ever-evolving display of colour and scent.
The Rose Garden
A visit to Arundel Castle would be incomplete without a stroll through the Rose Garden. Once a 18th century bowling green it has now been turned into a beautiful collection of English roses. As you enter the garden you are greeted with the fragrant scented walkway of the ‘Harlow Carr’ rose hedging, before passing through the gothic archways which are adored with climbing roses. The ‘Adelaide d’Orleans’ rose entwines its way across the archway with its stunning semi-double flowers which fade from creamy pink to white. The Rose Garden showcases a collection of old-fashioned and modern varieties, each chosen for their fragrance, form, and historical significance. And it really comes into its own in the Summertime when the garden becomes a sea of pinks, reds, and whites, enchanting visitors with its romantic charm.
The Tropical & English Herbaceous Borders
Adding a touch of the exotic to Arundel Castle’s gardens are the Tropical and English Herbaceous Borders. These areas are a example of the skill and creativity of the castle’s gardening team. The Tropical Border features an array of lush, vibrant plants, including Saphire Dragon trees, Chinese Cabbage palms and banana plants, creating a striking contrast to the traditional English borders nearby. The English Herbaceous Borders, in contrast, are a celebration of classic cottage garden plants. Here, visitors can admire the towering delphiniums, swaying hollyhocks, and drifts of lupines. The careful planning ensures a succession of blooms from spring through autumn, providing a continuous display of colour and texture. These eccentric combinations mirror the interests and fascinations of the Victorians.
The Stumpery and Kitchen Garden
Arundel Castle’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity is evident in its Stumpery and Organic Kitchen Garden. The Stumpery, created in the Victorian tradition, is a space where upturned tree stumps are enveloped by euphorbias, ferns and Echiums which grow through the gaps in the roots. Creating an almost prehistoric atmosphere that adds to the surrounding gothic architecture whilst being a haven for wildlife, providing habitat for insects, birds, and small mammals.
Adjacent to the Stumpery is the Kitchen Garden, a productive space where vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown using sustainable practices. Visitors can see a range of crops, from heirloom tomatoes to multiple varieties of potatoes. The produce from this garden supplies the castle’s kitchen, ensuring that the estate remains as self-sufficient as possible with any surplus being offered out to visitors with an honesty box.
A Timeless Sanctuary
Arundel Castle’s gardens are more than just a collection of plants and flowers; they are a living, breathing tapestry of history, art, and nature. Each garden invites visitors to step into a world where time slows down, and the beauty of the natural world takes centre stage. As you wander through these spaces, you’ll find yourself transported to an odd, filmic realm, a testament to the allure of Arundel Castle and its gardens.
Look out for tulip season when the Castle gardens is alive with thousands of tulips.
What to do in February:
Do a last tidy up and cut old perennials and ornamental grasses to ground level (as long as they are not the evergreen ornamental grasses!)
Now is the time to finish pruning your Roses and Wysterias
This month start to prune to the ground your deciduous ornamental grasses
Hardy shrubs like Cornus, Sambucus, Salix and Cotinus can be cut right back as well as Buddleia.
Anything that has flowered during the winter can be pruned back into shape now like Winter Jasmine and Mahonia.
After your Snowdrops have flowered you can lift them out of the ground and separate them and then replant them in different areas of the garden.
If you have a greenhouse you can start sowing leeks and onions plus a whole host of other seeds, some of which you can start off indoors.
If you build raised beds now, buy the time you have bought your soil and mixed it with any compost you have it will be ready for Spring.
Where to go this February:
February is a great time to explore woodland. The bare bones of the earth are at rest and the quality of the forest is still and waiting for Spring with some small delights emerging. Also the evergreens like Ivy, Yew and Holly come into their own.
Try visiting Angmering Park Estate Trust, Burton and Chingford Pond, Petworth House Woods, Slindon and The Warrens.
