ARUNDEL
We always plan at least one day away from the London area on each trip. This time it was a revisit to Arundel, Sussex, about an hour's train ride south from our Jurys Inn Hotel in Croydon. Ten years ago we had ended up in Arundel, muddy to our knees from a long walk that ended here. The marvellous castle was closed for the season (March), and we vowed to return someday. Someday arrived on Wednesday, April 25th, 2018. On our previous long countryside walk, we had visited the small grave of Mervyn Peake, author. If you don't know the major works of Mervy Peake, I highly suggest that you carry on over to Amazon.ca and order the Gormenghast Trilogy. Peake writes like Charles Dickens, if that famous author wrote while taking acid or LSD. The central theme in Peake's writing is Gormenghast Castle, which is based on Arundel Castle. He lived across the Arun valley, and from his village he saw Arundel Castle every day. It obviously affected his mind, which was, fortunately, a great one. The Gormenghast Trilogy is one of the greatest works of Gothic literature. I've read the entire, vast series twice, and look forward to the third reading someday soon.
The very large castle dominates the town of Arundel.
The castle keep. We climbed winding stairs to the top, along with a Year 2 school group, who were busy enjoying their field trip to a real castle.
The battlements of Arundel Castle are extensive, and from a
distance the castle seems to sprawl forever.
When it wasn't raining, we toured the enormous grounds, which included some very impressive gardens, along with a large church.
Looking much like a large field of candy, the tulip fields were in bloom!
More tulips!
Formal gardens, Arundel Castle.
The Keep, from the safety of the central courtyard. The castle is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, who are in residence much of the time. The exorbitant visitor fees no doubt keep them living here in comfort!
The castle's central dining area, which also featured in the novels of
Mervyn Peake.
One of the castle bedrooms, still in use much of the time.
Another bedroom at the castle. I couldn't make up my mind which one to take for the night.
The castle library, definitely a highlight of the tour. In Peake's novels, it burns to the ground, sending the Earl of Gormenghast over the precipice into even deeper madness.
The town of Arundel is dominated by the vast castle and its walls.
A favourite store to browse in downtown Arundel.
Victorian shopping arcade, Arundel.
There are a number of fun shops to browse in Arundel.
Relaxing in a downtown pub, the Norfolk Arms.
Castle view, Arundel.
We had a very enjoyable vegan dinner here, about a mile from the castle. England is among the most vegan-friendly areas in the universe.
To be continued ....
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