The Arundel Castle Tulip Festival: Is It Worth the Trip? (2026)
The Arundel Castle Tulip Festival is one of the best day trips from London and a must visit if you are in West Sussex. I have had this event on my bucket list for a few years now and finally got my chance to visit (April 2026).
England is known for its beautiful gardens, and its castles, and April is one of the best times of year to enjoy these.
Arundel Castle is located in the south east of England in West Sussex, a county south of London. The castle itself sits in the small town of Arundel, which luckily benefits from its own train station, making a day trip here simple (yes there is a direct train from London!).
This guide discusses whether the Arundel Castle Tulip Festival is worth visiting (I think you know my answer), how to get there, what it costs, and when is best to visit.
Arundel Castle Tulip Festival: Is it worth visiting?
The tulips at Arundel Castle are splashed of social media every year, leaving many people wondering 'can it really be that good?'.
Much of my travel is based on history, yes I am a history geek, and the addition of thousands upon thousands of tulips really perked my interest. I live in Cambridgeshire which is just under a 3 hour drive from the south coast of Sussex so I hadn't managed to get down there until this year.
I decided pretty last minute that this was my chance to visit. We had a period of beautiful weather but I had my concerns...How busy will it be? Is it worth the cost? What if it's a let down.
I shouldn't have worried, it really was better than I expected and one of my favourite visits of 2026.
Can I take the train to Arundel Castle?
Yes, you can take the train to Arundel Castle, making it a beautiful option as a day trip from London, especially in Spring.
Visitors can take a direct train from London Victoria which takes 1 hour 27 minutes (take the train towards Bognor Regis and Portsmouth Harbour).
The train costs £40 for an anytime day single or £40.10 for an anytime day return. Book your train via the Trainline website, if you book in advance it will be cheaper than on the day.
How do I get from Arundel Train Station to the Castle?
Arundel Station is located just outside the town, around 20 minutes leisurely walk to the castle entrance, meaning no taxi needed.
I recommend heading to Arundel for around 10am which is when the castle opens. Grab a coffee and a pastry along the way from one of the many lovely cafes in town. Sit in and soak up the cosy atmosphere or take it with you and enjoy the gardens before they get busy.
Is there parking at Arundel Castle?
Yes there is a car park at Arundel Castle, it does fill up on sunny days so I advise arriving for around 10am to easily get a space. The car park is the Mill Road pay & display car park (BN18 9PA) which isn't owned by the castle but it is very close to the entrance.
Many people dive to Arundel as they are visiting the south coast already. The town runs on a one way system and it can get a little congested on bank holidays and hot days.
Parking costs £3 for 3 hours or £6 for all day parking. You can pay by contactless or with coins, you can also pay via an app.
There are other car parks in the town but Mill Road is the closest.
A quick history of Arundel Castle
Yes! Arundel Castle is a real Norman Castle dating back to almost 1000 years ago.
Its story begins in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, built around 1067–1068 by Roger de Montgomery, a close ally of William the Conqueror.
The original fortress was a classic motte-and-bailey design, with a towering artificial mound and timber structures that quickly evolved into stone defences. Over the following decades, the castle became a strategic stronghold, even enduring an early siege by King Henry I after a rebellion.
It later passed into the hands of Adeliza of Louvain, the king’s widow, whose new husband William d’Aubigny transformed it with a formidable stone keep, laying the foundations of the castle we recognise today.
What makes Arundel truly extraordinary is its continuity: it has remained in the hands of a single lineage, through marriage, from the 12th century to today, eventually becoming the seat of the powerful Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk.
Over centuries, it has witnessed some of England’s most turbulent moments, from medieval power struggles to a brutal 18-day siege during the English Civil War in 1643. Though partially damaged, the castle was repeatedly restored and reinvented, most notably in the 18th and 19th centuries, when grand Gothic-style renovations prepared it for a royal visit from Queen Victoria in 1846.
Today, its soaring towers, vast collections of art and artefacts, and layered architecture tell a story not just of a building, but of nearly a millennium of English history woven into one breathtaking place.
When is Arundel Castle Tulip Festival?
The 2026 Tulip Festival at Arundel Castle began on 1st April, running throughout the full month of April.
The tulips bloomed slightly earlier this year so I recommend visiting in the first two weeks of April to see it at its most beautiful.
What are the opening times of Arundel Castle?
The gardens are open to the public from 1 april-1 November, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, plus Bank Holiday Mondays. I recommend visiting for opening or just before closing to enjoy the gardens to yourself.
The gardens are much busier on hot days and weekends.
If you wish to visit the castle rooms, these are open 12pm-5pm.
How do I book tickets?
Visitors can book tickets to Arundel Castle via their website or buy tickets on the day.
I personally just booked tickets on the day, as did most people due to an issue with their online system. However, pre-booking tickets means you have a shorter queue when you enter.
How much is entry to the tulip festival?
There is no specific tulip festival ticket at Arundel Castle, visitors can enjoy the tulips on a regular ticket.
There are multiple ticket options:
- Gardens only: £17 for adults, £8 for children
- Castle and gardens: £29 for adults, £13 for children
- Castle, gardens and bedrooms: £31 for adults, £13 for children
How long does a visit take?
You can easily spend a couple of hours in the castle gardens, more if you want to enter the castle itself.
There is a beautiful chapel to look at too, as well as a lovely cafe for lunch or snacks and a drink.
If you have the time to spend, I recommend visiting for atleast 3 hours and soaking it all in.
Arundel town is beautiful in itself so make sure you set aside time to wonder round the cafes and small shops.
One of the highlights is the riverside walk, which offers a truly breathtaking perspective of the castle. As you follow the River Arun, the view opens up to reveal the castle rising dramatically above the landscape, easily one of the most striking vantage points in the area
FAQs: Visiting Arundel Castle
1. When does the tulip festival run?
The Arundel Castle Tulip Festival 2026 runs from 1st April until the end of the month. The tulips have bloomed early this year so try and organise a visit in the first half of April
The castle and grounds are open from 1st April until 1st November 2026.
2. Are dogs allowed into Arundel Castle?
No, sadly no dogs are allowed into the grounds of Arundel Castle except guide dogs. This is the disappointing part but they want to protect their gardens from any naughty dogs which is understandable.
Please note there is no shade in the car park so do not leave dogs in the car on warm days.
3. Is Arundel Castle National Trust?
No, Arundel Castle is not a National Trust property, it is privately owned and tickets can only be bought direct.
4. What is the nearest train station to Arundel Castle?
The closest train station to Arundel Castle is Arundel Station which is a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute drive from the castle entrance. There are direct trains from London Victoria year round, taking 1 hour 27 minutes.
5. How far is Arundel Castle from London?
Arundel Castle is just over 2 hours from London by ca, or 1 hour 27 minutes by train.
Other nearby towns and cities include Portsmouth, Brighton, Chichester and Worthing.
6. Can you walk around Arundel Castle for free?
No, you cannot walk around Arundel Castle for free. If you want to enter the grounds you must pay for entry into the gardens which costs £17.
If you want beautiful castle views for free I recommend the riverside walk which is stunning and dog friendly.
7. Does anyone live in Arundel Castle?
Yes, people still live in Arundel Castle, which is part of what makes it so special.
It’s the historic seat of the Dukes of Norfolk, and the current Duke (Edward Fitzalan-Howard) and his family still use part of the castle as a private residence. That said, only a section is lived in, much of the castle is open to the public as a heritage site, with state rooms, gardens, and exhibitions you can explore.
About the author
Hannah is a UK-based travel creator and founder of Postcards by Hannah, sharing destination guides and hotel recommendations for travellers planning considered, experience-led trips.
She was born and raised in the English countryside, going to university in London and living there for half a decade before heading back to her country roots.
Hannah has travelled extensively around the UK, especially England, opting for countryside and coastal travels rather than the big cities. She loves train travel, country houses, long walks with the cocker spaniel Baxter, and sunny days on the south coast.
Her dream is to convert a camper van, pack her bags and travel the whole length of Britain’s coastline with her trust sidekick, Baxter.
