Arundel Castle
Post categories: Staff blog
| 11:55 UK time, Friday, 29 July 2011
Hello Everyone,
My name is Helen. This is my first time writing for the department's staff blog and I'd like to share some of my recent photos with you.
A few weeks ago I took my family to visit a big castle near the south coast of England. It's called Arundel Castle. It has nearly 1000 years of history and has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 850 years.
I learnt from the castle's curator Penny that there were a number of castles like this one along the south coast of England. Their main purpose was to defend England against invasion from the continent. However many of these castles have been destroyed or fell into disrepair and are now in ruins.
As you can see from the picture, Arundel Castle is still standing tall and glorious. It is a solidly built castle, typical Norman castle style built in stone. It has tall towers which allowed soldiers to spot potential enemies in the distance. The windows facing outwards are small and narrow, so it's not easy to shoot into the castle.
During its long history which was quite bloody at times, the castle sustained serious damage and had to be restored several times. The castle we see today completed its restoration in 1900, at that time it was one of the first English country houses to be fitted with electric lights, service lifts and central heating.
The castle grounds are very well maintained. I especially liked the flowers and trees there.
I also tried my hand at taking photos with the macro function on my camera and luckily they came out pretty well. I was very pleased with the results and I hope you like them too.
We had a wonderful time in the grounds of the castle and also the small town Arundel. When it was time to head back to London, we all felt that there was more to see. So I am sure we will be back to Arundel in the very near future to explore this area.
I hope you will have a chance to see the castle one day and enjoy its glorious, imposing architecture and treasures inside.
Have a lovely weekend.
Helen
Comment number 1.
At 29th Jul 2011, ALFONSO wrote:Hi Hellen,
Nice to meet you as a blogger. Interesting comments about The Arundel Castle and your pics looks professional. I´ll be on the look out for your new comments about those historic British Castles.
All the best,
Alfonso
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Comment number 2.
At 29th Jul 2011, trungpham181 wrote:Hi Helen!
When I looked at your photos, I thought you were a professional cameraman. That could be perfect. So I was really like your entry described about the castle in England. I love it so much!
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Comment number 3.
At 30th Jul 2011, Anna wrote:Hi Helen, your pictures look great. They make me feel much happier to know that life is beautiful out there and I should go out and enjoy that beauty. I never have a chance to go to England, but hopefully one day I can.
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Comment number 4.
At 31st Jul 2011, Kareem wrote:Hi Helen,
Thanks for the article abt the castle. bcos i love castles. UK is country of castles
Pls post something more abt the castles
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Comment number 5.
At 31st Jul 2011, Pary wrote:Hi Helen ! Nice to meet you . Thank you for your nice Blog about Arundel Castle . and thanks you for the flowery shots as I 'm a fan of flowers !Hope to see more entries from you !
Have a nice time
Pary from Iran
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Comment number 6.
At 31st Jul 2011, monalizamoon11 wrote:Hi Helen,
i like your blog it was interesting to read to end and i like your photos it was good work :)
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Comment number 7.
At 1st Aug 2011, Nomax wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 8.
At 2nd Aug 2011, Ewa wrote:Hello Helen,
It's so pleasure to watch this picuters. I have had opportuinity to go to Arundel when I was living in England. Lovely place, really good memories.
I often watch my photos which I have taken there. I would love to come back to south of England someday. Hope I am :)
Greetings
Ewa
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Comment number 9.
At 3rd Aug 2011, rihannaneyo wrote:Hello Helen,
That's quite an exquisit works (pics) you took in the Arundel Castle.
You really made me think I wanna go visit and see everything with my naked eyes.
I'm just wondering that all of there flowers are their best right now.
I wanna take my family to there before it would wither up!
Anyway, thanks for your beautiful photographs!
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Comment number 10.
At 3rd Aug 2011, Ali wrote:Dear Helen,
It's always a great pleasure for me to read about historical monuments of the world. You pithy blog about Arundel castle helped me to know about one of the most important landmarks of England. The beautiful pictures are really a sight for sore eyes.
All the best.
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Comment number 11.
At 3rd Aug 2011, beatriz wrote:Hello Helen,
Welcome to the blog! Very interesting the description of the Arundel Castle but the p
pictures are superb. The best for you and looking forward to new posts.
Beatriz.
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Comment number 12.
At 4th Aug 2011, Batja wrote:Hi Helen,
good job, congratulations!
I like traveling and photography too.
Good luck!
Batja
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Comment number 13.
At 4th Aug 2011, Zdenda wrote:Very nice. I would love to go there too.
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Comment number 14.
At 4th Aug 2011, hero26 wrote:Hello Helen,
i liked your post very much,and your flower pıctures are so succesfull.Besides i have been in UK and as you say uk has lots of castle and you can face them everywhere even you cant predict.
Ä° wii be looking your shares.
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Comment number 15.
At 7th Aug 2011, Tatiana wrote:Hi Helen,
Nice to meet you here!
I’ve just arrived from England. It was an awesome trip and I hope to visit the UK once more. One day I had a similar experience as well as you. I visited Leeds Castle. It was very interesting to learn its ancient history and walk in a lovely park with swans and peacocks. Walking in a maze built of 2 thousands of yew trees I’ve lost my way. Fortunately there was a guide who helped me to go out. It was funny.))
I’m mad about taking pictures so now I have a large number of photos of Leeds Castle and its ambient space.
It was a wonderful day and I recollect it with great pleasure. Maybe one day I’ll have a chance to visit Arundel Castle as well.
Thank you for your story and nice photos.
Best wishes,
Tatiana from Russia
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Comment number 16.
At 12th Aug 2011, noelgmr1 wrote:Hi Hellen, It's very nice to meet you here. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. The pictures are absolutely great and the information is very interesting. I wish I could have the opportunity to go to London and visit that marvelous place.
Best wishes,
Noel from the US
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Comment number 17.
At 13th Sep 2011, Birghit wrote:It is true, your photos are really nice, especialy those of the flowers. I wonder what flower is the last, pink one?
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Comment number 18.
At 13th Sep 2011, Elisabeth wrote:Hi everybody,
Totally agree, those photos are excellent - I wonder what has kept me from visiting Arundel so far!
@Birghit: The pink flower in the last picture looks like Linum grandiflorum (red flax) to me, but I'm not a botanist, so let's see what others think.
Elisabeth from Austria
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Comment number 19.
At 4th Nov 2011, Titas wrote:Hi Helen,
Undoubtedly, you are a good photographer with good presentation skills as well. I am amazed to see those beautiful picture and if i get opportunity, i would certainly visit Arundel castle. Unfortunately, its hard for me as i am currently living in Australia. I also have the hobby of photography and sometimes do it for self refreshments.
Moreover, its incredible that the castle is 1000 years old and still holding its head up. thanks to the government for the renovation works.
I hope you will keep up photography and in near future we will be fortunate to see more beautiful pictures.
Regards,
shahed
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