Visiting the enchanting Arundel Castle Tulip Festival

The Arundel Castle Tulip Festival is a showstopper: the sheer amount of tulips on display each year is a true celebration of spring. Located in West Sussex, Arundel Castle has a rich history that dates back to the medieval period, and its beautiful gardens are the perfect setting for the festival. I can’t imagine a more perfect name for such a fairytale location, and couldn’t believe that I’d never heard of it until the year I visited.

With over 60,000 tulip bulbs in bloom, visitors can expect to see a stunning array of colors and varieties, ranging from classic red and yellow tulips to exotic and rare species. What’s even better is that Arundel is reachable by train from London — making it a completely accessible day trip. This guide explores everything you need to know about visiting the Arundel Castle Tulip Festival, from the best time to visit to the most beautiful displays to see.

How to get to the Arundel Castle Tulip Festival

Good news—Arundel is very easy to reach from London by train, so this incredible day trip is accessible for all!

Arundel is in West Sussex, so south of London towards Brighton. It takes about 90 minutes to reach Arundel by train from Victoria Station.

After arriving at Arundel Station, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the entrance of Arundel Castle.

For those who drive, it’s an easy journey to Arundel and there’s plenty of parking near the entrance to the castle.

Visiting the town of Arundel

Arundel itself is a charming market town worth visiting for its beautiful architecture and lovely shops.

With the castle and cathedral as backdrops, the town is incredibly historic and the architecture of the building in the centre match this theme. The town centre is full of beautiful tearooms and charming pubs offering a bite to eat during a day trip. These are all located along the high street.

There’s also a lot of antiquing to be done in Arundel, with antiques and homewares being offered at many high-quality shops. Spencer Swaffer Antiques is worth a stop on the high street. Nineveh Chapel also houses an array of independent antiques shops with lots of treasures to be found.

The history of Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle is one of the oldest and most impressive castles in England, with a history that dates back nearly a thousand years.

The castle was originally built in the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, who was given the land by William the Conqueror. Over the centuries, the castle has been owned by many prominent figures, including the Fitzalan family, who held the title of Earls of Arundel, and later the Dukes of Norfolk. The castle architecture is truly medieval in places, and is an impressive step back in time.

Throughout its long and storied history, Arundel Castle has been at the centre of many important events in English history. During the English Civil War, the castle was held by the Royalist forces, and was later besieged by the Parliamentarian army.

In the 19th century, the castle played host to Queen Victoria, who visited on several occasions and was said to have been quite taken with the castle's beautiful gardens. Parts of the castle are 19th century restorations, and Victorian interior design has an influence on the lived-in spaces.

Today, the castle is still owned by the Duke of Norfolk and is open to the public for much of the year. It is possible to visit the interior of the castle, which is a unique experience as you can see the historic interiors but also glimpse the reality of living in the space for the family who continue to call it home.

The gardens at Arundel Castle

The gardens of Arundel Castle are a wonderful example of the beauty and creativity of English gardening. Spread over 40 acres of land, the gardens have been carefully designed in a variety of styles, meaning that no two areas feel the same. This is really a delight — when I visited I was constantly surprised by what was around the corner!

The Collector Earl’s Garden is the most impressive of the garden’s sections, with a labyrinth and ornamental fountains creating a beautiful scene that is framed by the architecture of the castle on one side and Arundel cathedral in a gothic style on the other. This is the view that stopped me in my tracks when I visited. It is so picturesque it is almost unbelievable.

The castle also houses a small church with a white garden, an elegant planting scheme that is set apart from the colourful displays in the rest of the grounds.

On the side of the castle, steep banks rise upwards in protective arrangements, and in the spring feature thousands of red tulips. All in all, Arundel Castle is probably the best place to see tulips in England.

The Arundel Tulip Festival

It’s no wonder that the tulip festival brings visitors from all over the country (and probably the world) to Arundel. Luckily, Arundel is easy to visit from London as it’s reachable by train, unusual for most gardens.

One of the main attractions of the tulip festival is the tulip walk, which winds its way through the castle gardens, showcasing thousands of tulips of every colour and variety imaginable. As visitors stroll through the gardens, they can admire the many different displays, which range from traditional tulip beds to more experimental plantings.

For me, the stunning moment came when I walked through the pergola towards the tulip maze with Arundel cathedral as a backdrop. It is a breathtaking view. This area of the garden also features many potted tulip varieties adding ornament to the formal gardens and water features, a nice contrast to the more spontaneous planting of the tulip walk around the castle.

In addition to the tulip walk, the festival also features a plant fair, where visitors can purchase bulbs and other gardening supplies, as well as expert advice from experienced gardeners. Castle tours are also available, allowing visitors to explore the history and architecture of the castle itself, as well as learn more about the gardens and their unique features.

Tickets to Arundel Castle Tulip Festival

The festival takes place from mid-April to early May, and is open to visitors from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day. Admission prices vary depending on the day of the week, with discounts available for children, seniors, and groups.

Visitors can purchase tickets online in advance or at the gate on the day of their visit. I paid about £30 for my visit, which included access to all areas and the castle interior. While the castle is impressive, it is nowhere near as special as the gardens, so if I go again I will buy the garden ticket.

A memorable day trip to Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle is one of the most memorable English gardens I’ve visited, which is saying quite a lot. The garden comes alive with thousands of tulips in the spring, creating an atmosphere I have never quite experienced in a garden. It was like collective joy with all the other visitors that day.

The garden, combined with the historic intrigue of the castle itself, makes for a unique day trip from London. Especially considering the fact that the town of Arundel is so charming and easy to reach by train, it should be on everyone’s list to visit.

I can’t recommend the tulip festival here enough. It’s such a delight, and I hope it inspires you to visit this spring garden.

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