Featuring a wide range of exciting and engaging activities for visitors of all ages. Arundel Castle has unveiled its 2023 events programme. From historical re-enactments and guided tours to family-friendly demonstrations and activities. We also have live performances and even jousting, there is something for everyone.
Visitors can step back in time and experience the grandeur and pageantry of medieval England. Or, explore the castle’s beautiful gardens and grounds at a Medieval Festival over the Easter weekend. On Fri 7 – Sun 9 April King John and his loyal followers will put down a rebellion and fend off a potential invasion from France. Set within a large, tented encampment on the lower lawns of the castle, the event offers spectacles. This includes axe throwing, archery, falconry demonstrations and combat re-enactments, period crafts and live music.
Catch Spring in Bloom
During April and May (subject to flowering time) there’ll be a tulip festival like no other. Set against the breath-taking backdrop of the castle’s gardens, a sea of colour awaits. Find over 100,000 tulip bulbs planted by the castle’s award-winning Head Gardener, Martin Duncan, and his team.
Sun 23 April and Sun 2 July will see Arundel Castle welcomes its popular plant fairs. Organised by a collective of specialist nurseries, these will offer a wide range of locally grown, garden-worthy and often unusual plants. Visitors can also receive free advice from the growers and the event’s resident Plant Doctor.
May is Allium season, and the grounds of Arundel Castle will see the flowering of thousands of vibrant, pom-pom-shaped blooms. Known as the ‘fireworks of gardening’, these towering plants will add a surge of colour to the castle’s gardens. Visitors can admire the long-stemmed plants in the English herbaceous borders. See the white blooms of the Cowanii and Mont Blanc complementing the Fitzalan Chapel’s White Garden. Don’t miss this explosion of colour and beauty at Arundel Castle.
War of the Roses and Medieval Festival
The Castle returns to Medieval times on Sat 27 – Mon 29 May. We will be plunged into a 15th-century Wars of the Roses family event. King Edward IV, Duke of York, faces rebellion from the supporters of the former King, Henry VI, Duke of Lancaster. For one weekend only, Arundel Castle serves as the backdrop for an imaginary Lancastrian raiding party engaging with Yorkist forces. The event showcases 15th-century crafts, forging, leather work, cooking, weapons, and armour. In addition, visitors can participate in hands-on activities. Try archery, axe throwing, and warrior training, as well as Arundel Castle’s renowned ‘Kids battles’.
You experience even more bygone days on Sat 8 – Sun 9 July with Arundel Castle’s Medieval Festival. This weekend event will be set in 1474; as the Earl of Arundel celebrates the birth of his first grandson with a knight’s foot tournament and an archery contest featuring teams from England, France, and Poland. Visitors can explore a tented encampment and see demonstrations of historical crafts, including pewter casting, forging, cooking, leather work, as well as combat, falconry and the Knights Tournament. For those looking to get hands-on experience, there will be plenty of activities such as crossbows, archery, medieval music from performers Myal and Peg, and storytelling.
Discover more outdoor events and things to do this Easter.
