Perched high above the River Arun, with its turrets rising against the rolling green of the South Downs, Arundel looks like something out of a fairytale. Cobbled streets wind through a town dotted with antique shops and tea rooms, while at the heart of it all stands a castle that has guarded this landscape for nearly a thousand years.

But Arundel is more than just picture-perfect – it’s a place where Catholic history runs deep. For centuries, it has been home to the Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk, who remained faithful even through persecution and loss. The Fitzalan Chapel still holds the tombs of their ancestors, and the cathedral on the hill is dedicated to St Philip Howard, a nobleman turned martyr whose story inspires families of faith today.

For Catholic families, Arundel offers something rare: a town where children can run through gardens, climb towers, and savor ice cream, while at the same time stepping into a living history of faith and resilience. It’s the kind of place where a day of adventure naturally becomes a pilgrimage too.

Why Arundel is Special

Arundel has been shaped for centuries by two constants: its towering castle and the Catholic faith of the family who built it. The castle has stood for nearly a thousand years, and for over 850 of those years it has been home to the Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk. As England’s most prominent Catholic family, the Howards lived through times when their faith put them at odds with the crown.

One of the most remarkable figures in that story is St Philip Howard. A courtier in Elizabeth I’s court, he converted to Catholicism, was arrested for practicing the faith, and spent ten years in the Tower of London before dying there in 1595. He was canonized in 1970, and his relics now rest in Arundel Cathedral, a powerful reminder of sacrifice and conviction.

The Fitzalan Chapel, within the castle grounds, has also stood as a rare survival of Catholic heritage. While most private chapels were stripped or destroyed during the Reformation, the Fitzalan Chapel remained intact and still serves as the burial place of the Dukes of Norfolk. Together with the 19th-century cathedral overlooking the town, it anchors Arundel’s place in Catholic history as a site where faith endured, even under pressure.

For Catholic families today, Arundel offers the chance not just to enjoy a beautiful town, but to step into a story of resilience – where gardens and battlements sit alongside shrines and chapels, and where the history of England and the history of the Church are bound together.

How We Spent Our Day

We began our adventure in the castle gardens, which felt like stepping into another world. The boys raced along pathways and splashed by fountains while I lingered over the bursts of color in the borders and enjoying the amazing views of the Cathedral. Tucked into the grounds is the Fitzalan Chapel, a Catholic chapel that has been the burial place of the Dukes of Norfolk for centuries. While the boys were more fascinated by the stone carvings and echo of their footsteps, I found myself reflecting on how remarkable it is that this chapel survived the Reformation intact, a quiet witness to faith across generations.

Next came the castle itself, and this was where the boys’ imaginations truly took off. They scrambled up towers, leaned over battlements, and declared themselves knights. Inside, we wandered through rooms lined with family portraits dating back centuries, where I could share snippets of history about some of them. The castle has seen nearly a millennium of English history, and it felt special to experience it not from a book but together as a family.

After so much exploring, we needed a break. We headed into town for ice cream, which is always the highlight of any family outing. With cones in hand, we wandered the cobbled streets, peeking into shop windows and enjoying the charm of Arundel at a slower pace.

Our last stop was the Cathedral of Our Lady and St Philip Howard. Its spire crowns the town, and inside we found a soaring space filled with quiet beauty. The boys gazed upward at the arches and we lit a candle at the shrine of St Philip Howard, the Catholic martyr whose story is woven into the history of Arundel. It was the perfect way to end the day, a moment of stillness and faith after a full day of adventure.

By the time we boarded the evening train back to London, the boys were happily worn out and chattering about their favorite moments, while I carried the deeper memory of faith and history that makes Arundel so unique.

Tips for Families Planning a Day in Arundel

• Getting there: Trains run from London Victoria to Arundel in about 1 hour 45 minutes. From the station, it’s a 10–15 minute walk into town.
• Castle tickets: Book online before you go. The gardens + castle combo is worth it, especially with kids who will love the towers and battlements. Leave plenty of time – there’s a lot to explore.
• Pace your visit: The castle grounds are huge. Let the kids run in the gardens, then save their energy for the towers. (Pro tip: We got there early, the grounds open before the castle, and the kids were able to let off some steam before entering the castle.)
• Food: There are cafés and pubs in town, but ice cream is a must. We used it as the perfect reward after climbing towers! Pack a few snacks for train rides or garden wandering. The castle also has a couple of places to eat – we grabbed lunch in the Castle Cafe, after the gardens and before starting the castle tour.
• Faith highlights: The Fitzalan Chapel in the castle grounds is one of the rare Catholic chapels to survive the Reformation, and the Cathedral of Our Lady and St Philip Howard is unmissable. Share the story of St Philip with your kids, it’s an inspiring way to tie faith into the day.
• Best for kids: Climbing castle towers, racing through gardens, and ice cream (of course)! Simple joys with a backdrop of centuries-old history.

A Day to Remember

It’s rare to find a place that blends beauty, adventure, and Catholic heritage so seamlessly, but Arundel does just that.

If you’ve ever wanted to take your family on a day like this, where faith and fun go hand-in-hand, I’d love to guide you there. I plan the details so you can simply show up, explore, and enjoy. From castles and gardens to ice cream stops and cathedral visits, I’ll make sure your family experiences the best of Arundel without the stress of planning.

Because days like these aren’t just about ticking sights off a list – they’re about building memories, deepening faith, and discovering the hidden Catholic story that still shapes England today.