Straight after breakfast we walked the short way to Arundel Castle arriving 15 minutes before it opened. We took advantage of a nearby bench to soak up the early morning sunshine whilst we waited.
After purchasing our tickets, we walked around the gardens which included a new water garden that Mr C wasn’t very enamoured with. I thought it was lovely as were the rest of the gardens and features.
We also visited the Fitzalan Chapel which is the chancel of the church of St Nicholas. The chapel which has a peaceful atmosphere is divided from St Nicholas’ knave and transepts and contains tombs of the Howard family.
We completed our tour of the castle gardens just in time for lunch which we enjoyed in a window seat in the castle restaurant.
By the time we had finished lunch, the castle and keep were open. We made our way up the stairs to the rooftop of the keep. The stairways were every bit as narrow as I remembered them. This time I had sensibly used a small rucksack rather than a handbag (which I struggled with last time). I climbed the last few stairs using all four limbs (no hand rail to hold on to). With my rucksack on my back, I had the image of me being a turtle proceeding slowly up those last few steps. The views from the rooftop were well worth my inelegant ascent.
Descending from the keep, our route took us through the castle where both of us had forgotten some of the rooms leading us to enjoy the castle as if we had not visited on a previous occasion. I knew that one of my favourite items from my previous visit was no longer there; a set of gold rosary beads carried by Mary Queen of Scots at her execution. The rosary beads (unique and meaningful in their location) along with other items had been stolen on a targeted hit.
Our tour of the castle and gardens complete, it was time for afternoon refreshments. We found a café with a sunny location overlooking the river Arun where we enjoyed refreshing drinks and shared a piece of lemon cake.
There was just enough time for us to visit Arundel Museum which showcases the town’s local history before we returned to our hotel to chill out.
Once back at the hotel, we found that our hotel room had not been fully serviced for the second day running. The first day our tea and milk supplies had not been replenished. This was easily fixed by a phone call to reception. However, today we arrived back at the room to find that the bed had not been made and the bathroom seemed not to have cleaned and serviced.
We had a glass of bubbly on the hotel terrace before dining at the Swan Hotel which is a Fullers Pub. The food was lovely but Mr C found the atmosphere uncomfortable so after dining we returned to the Red Lion where once again, we were treated to live music but the atmosphere was also somewhat lacking…
We decided to relocate to the hotel bar for a nightcap. I was delivered a short measure of wine which I made sure was rectified. Shortly after this other customers arrived and were told the bar was closing soon but they were welcome to come in for a drink. The bar wasn’t scheduled to close for at least 30 minutes!
The lady serving was giving off big vibes that the customers were an inconvenience to her. Maybe she should remember that if it wasn’t for the customers, she wouldn’t have a job?
The Castle sounded all you could wish for, Cherie, but a shame about the bad hotel service
The castle is amazing
A lovely castle – with my knees I would struggle with those stairs!!! Very sad to hear about the rosary beads being stolen and such a shame about the awful hotel service.
The stairs are quite difficult. The walls are so close that it is not possible to use hands to balance using the walls.
Ah, there’s the fairy-talel castle, there’s the fairy tale part – but methinks your right, the hotel staff … wasn’t. I hope it didn’t spoil the anniversary trip for you entirely, but that’s what some need to think about, especially towns that rely on tourism commerce, if they want people to revisit, right?
We have found that when we travel, they’ve now gone to telling us upfront that there’s no housekeeping services unless you ask. Not sure what that’s about. I think it’s since COVID and they just kept it like that, but they’re supposed to tell you. For us, that’s actually a good thing because of our dogs, we call them when they’re properly crated/corralled.
On a better note, my Mark has a very similar hat to your Mark’s – except it’s Spartan green for his beloved Michigan State University
He absolutely loves that hat – keeps the sun off, but also comfortable, doesn’t make his head/brow perspire quite as much or other hats, he says. Well, I guess I should just say “sweat,” men “sweat,” we “perspire.”
lol
I lol-ed at the turtle walk. Or maybe like a camel with that rucksack? (I had to look up “rucksack” because we call it a backpack here, and I thought it was the same, but wanted to double-check lol.)
Don’t tell me you turtle-walked in that pretty skirt, did you? If so, you’re my hero. Trying to keep the skirt from flying every which way and getting dirty AND climbing up on all fours with a rucksack/backpack is no easy feat!
Love you …
Bar areas trying to close early happened even before Covid. I guess it is the staff wanting to go home earlier. They need better supervision.
Room servicing has changed through our lockdowns, although most hotels have now got back to full room service without having to request it. It was also an option during the Covid times to choose for your room not to be serviced.
We mostly use the term rucksack but sometimes we say backpack instead. Yes they are the same thing.
Trousers are needed to walk up a narrow castle keep so no skirt for me that day. Hower the skirt works will with city steps, it doesn’t dangle on the ground or steps as I walk.
*hugs*
I didn’t visit the castle when I was there.
I would like to visit Arundel again.
We still have things we didn’t see and things that are well worth another visit