In the castle Rose Garden we have a wonderful array of roses planted for their colour, scent and structures giving everyone a good idea of different varieties, looking for a shrub, climber or standard rose. This garden is enhanced by the dramatic backdrop of the ancient castle, which is reflected by the gothic archways and seats designed especially to blend aesthetically with the castle’s gothic windows.
See the following link for a tour of the Rose Garden:
A Tour of the Rose Gardens with Martin from Arundel Castle on Vimeo.
Tags: Arundel, Arundel Cathedral, Garden, Rose, Vacation, West Sussex
The water gardens at Arundel Castle openened in 2020. The gardens feature three ponds connected by a boardwalk and rustic bridge. The ponds are historic ’stew ponds’ that originally contained fish to supply the castle and nearby Dominican Friary.
Head gardener Martin Duncan has re-designed the historic ‘stew ponds’ at Arundel Castle, keeping the original framework of the ponds. He worked with the estate foresters to sustainably source the timber for the boathouse and roundhouse which were built by local artisans Kevin Coull and Bradley Hanson. The thatching was completed by a Master Thatcher, Gavin McDonald, and his sons.
Martin commented: “We have created this wonderful garden for visitors to enjoy the water plants, wildflowers and wildlife in a way that feels unobtrusive and natural. The thatched boathouse and roundhouse blends beautifully with the charming scenery while serving as a focal point for visitors.
“It’s a safe haven for wildlife and a lovely outdoor space for our visitors to relax in. We’re delighted to see people enjoying it.
“The Arundel Castle Garden team have done a wonderful job in the planting up of the water gardens and creating wildflower areas. The water lilies were placed from our rowing boat, Jemima Puddle-Duck.”
Tags: Arundel Castle, Dominican Friary, East Sussex, Stew Ponds, Vacation, Water Gardens
Originally built in 1783, The Norfolk Arms Hotel was later extended to include the neighbouring houses. The original building finished at the sitting room and when extended, it incorporated the stone, self-supporting staircase which is now a much-admired feature of the building. the main staircase used to be situated behind what is now the Tap Bar, and a splendid Billiards room once sat where the Club Room currently is.
The hotel has had an erratic history of occupancy by tenants over its lifetime. For the first 18 years of its existence it was more often closed than open. Throughout the Napoleonic wars (1812) the hotel was occuped by battling troups. *
*From hotel literatlure
Tags: Arundel, Me by another, Portrait, The Norfolk Arms Hotel, There's Always One, Vacation, West Sussex
Reputedly England’s smallest town, nestling in the shadows of the Chiltern Hills, Watlington offers a traditional market town welcome.
With origins dating back to the 6th century, the proximity of the Icknield Way, civil war connections, and mention in the Domesday Book, Watlington is certainly steeped in history. The fine 17th Century Town Hall is accompanied by many 16th century and Georgian buildings, as well as the venerable church of St Leonard’s. Watlington exhibits the specialist shops, pubs, small businesses, and great hospitality, which make it the very epitome of a small English Market town.
In 1664–65 Watlington Town Hall was built at the expense of Thomas Stonor. Its upper room was endowed by Stonor as a grammar school for boys, and in 1731 Dame Alice Tipping of Ewelme gave a further endowment to increase the number of pupils. In 1842 the town Vestry established a National School, which shared the same rooms in the town hall.
Tags: Oxfordshire, The Granary Cafe, Town Hall, Vacation, Watlington
