Arundel Castle, originally built in 1067, is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Norfolk and remains the family home today, albeit that large areas are opened up to the public as well.

This spectacular castle is set within 40 acres of land with fine views across the South Downs, especially from the raised keep. 

But this review only covers the gardens and in particular the walled gardens which are extensive and loaded with interest for people of all ages.  Its a showcase of horticultural skills mixed with a conspicuously quirky sense of humour with some elements being quite unique.

Opened to the public in 1854 the gardens contain many rare and unusual plants thanks to the extraordinary level of protection afforded by the surrounding walls. They are planted and maintained with an organic, eco-friendly ethos to encourage wild flowers, beneficial insects and wildlife.

The jewel in the crown is the renowned 'Collector Earl's Garden' which was developed recently in what had been a car park for many years. This light hearted tribute to a 16th century ancestor was designed as a Jacobean formal garden. It features spectacular use of green oak as an alternative to stone for columns, pavilions, pagodas and a truly beautiful domed pergola covered with soft beech foliage.

Graceful courtyards with elegant fountains and rills lead to the pergola that offers window glimpses to other parts of the garden and the ever present Gothic Revival Cathedral.

The upper terraces are Italian in style with stunning displays of spring and summer colour in large terracotta pots, whilst the lower terrace is planted up in a sub-tropical planting scheme with Palms, Bananas, Canna Lilies, Tree Ferns and Echiums. There is also a Balinese Pagoda with central pond and fountains which could have been rather 'hokey' but in reality works extraordinarily well.

The grand centrepiece is the rockwork 'mountain' containing palms and ferns to represent another world, supporting a weathered oak version of Inigo Jones' 'Oberon's Palace' which contains a shell-lined interior and fountain on which a gilded coronet dances on top of the water jet.

It is impressively daft and a lot of fun.

The Stumpery is perhaps the best example you'll find of this rather quirky garden element.  It is made up of piles of old tree stumps which have become host to a huge collection of woodland plants including Cowslips, Foxgloves, Ferns, Hellebores, Euphorbias, Primroses and native Bluebells.  Planted beautifully it also attracts insects, birds and butterflies and is at its best on a warm summer's day.

The English Herbaceous Borders are set off with great sculpted yew hedging that provide a strong contrast to the delicacy of the soft summer annuals and perennials amassed in front. These include Delphiniums, Lupins, Salvias, Alliums, Nepetas, Thalictrums, Geraniums and Roses.

The Cut Flower Garden is a riot of colour in summer with great drifts of Rudbeckia, Sweet Peas, Galdioli and Dahlias along with a deep indigo Clematis that will take your breath away.

There's an Organic Kitchen Garden and a beautifully restored Victorian Glass House for Peaches and Vines along with other exotic fruit and vegetables and unusual varieties of tomatoes during the summer.

The Fitzalan Chapel White Garden provides a relaxing smaller garden room to enjoy the single hued blooms. As with all parts of these impressive gardens, it has been planted skillfully, with Iceberg Roses, Cosmos, Cleomes, and Snow White Erymurus Lilies.

Set aside in its own private enclosure is the Rose Garden which features elegant gothic pergola arches and has been recently planted with heavily scented, old-fashioned English Roses that tend to be at their best in June and July.

Many will come to Arundel for the castle and although it has much to offer, we would recommend that you allow at least half the day for the gardens, which are amongst the most stimulating and rewarding, within a compact overall area.