Discover the Historic Estates of West Sussex

Set amid the rolling hills of West Sussex lies Arundel, a small town of 3,000 less than a two-hour drive from London. At its heart stands Arundel Castle: a testament to nearly one thousand years of history. For more than 850 years, this impressive estate has served as the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Norfolk. The Duke holds the hereditary title of Earl Marshal of England, which the family has held for more than five centuries. The current Earl, Edward William Fitzalan Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk organizes major ceremonial state events such as the opening of Parliament. In 2022, he organized the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and in May 2023, he organized the Coronation of King Charles III.

Originally commissioned by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel, in 1067, the castle overlooks its surroundings with a commanding presence, rivaling the world’s most famous homes. While the current Duke of Norfolk resides within its private quarters, the estate opens its doors to the public which helps support the charitable trust set up by the current Duke after he cancelled his father’s plans to hand the castle over to the National Trust.

Arundel castle is a study in architectural evolution—bearing witness to England’s evolving taste and love of grandeur. Original features such as the Norman Keep, medieval Gatehouse, and Barbican still stand today. Between the 1870s and 1890s the home’s interiors were remodeled. Arundel Castle’s magnificent architecture now showcases a blend of styles, primarily Norman, Gothic, and Victorian. Today it is considered to be one of the most significant works of Victorian England.

Guided tours lead visitors through the impeccably preserved interiors, where ornate furnishings, rich tapestries, and an exceptional art collection—including works by Anthony Van Dyck, Thomas Gainsborough, and Canaletto—tell a story of taste and tradition across centuries. Beyond the walls, the castle’s grounds invite quiet discovery with beautifully curated gardens.

Inevitably, Hollywood has come calling. The castle has doubled as a Belgian château in Wonder Woman and stood in for Windsor Castle in The Young Victoria, underscoring that even in the age of digital wizardry, nothing quite matches the authentic gravitas of stone that’s been weathered for centuries.

Arundel Castle’s summer program offers a masterclass in British cultural nostalgia: immersive medieval weekends, alfresco Shakespeare under August skies, and, in September, a meticulously curated gathering of vintage MG automobiles parked beneath the castle’s towering walls.

In a world defined by fleeting trends and fabricated charm, a visit to Arundel Castle offers a rare encounter with enduring beauty—a place where time slows and history lingers in every stone.

About 25 minutes to the north is Petworth House, a magnificent 17th-century Baroque masterpiece built by Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset. Petworth House displays one of the finest art collections in the care of the UK’s National Trust, featuring Van Dyck portraits, Reynolds masterpieces, and J.M.W. Turner.

The house’s extraordinary 320-foot facade—one of England’s longest—overlooks acclaimed English landscape designer Capability Brown’s sublime 700-acre deer park, home to more than 1,000 deer and largely unchanged since the 18th century, creating the perfect marriage of architecture and landscape design that continues to inspire.

Long connected with one of England’s best-loved Romantic artists, Turner (1775–1851), Petworth’s current summer show, “Where Art Meets Architecture: Turner’s Timeless Vision at Petworth House” will run through November 16. For the first time in decades, Turner’s artistic studies of Petworth will be exhibited where they were created. Turner was renowned for his expressive use of color and dramatic landscapes and seascapes. His style evolved throughout his career, moving beyond Romanticism to become a precursor to Impressionism and Abstract Art.

Turner was a frequent guest of the 3rd Earl of Egremont at Petworth returning year after year in the 1820s and 30s. The Earl, an enlightened patron, gave Turner unusual freedom to create. The Earl commissioned many pieces over the years and the show features more than 20 rarely seen works—including oil paintings and works on paper from the Tate Britain and private collections. The current exhibition, enhanced by Petworth’s permanent collection of 20 Turner oil paintings, demonstrates how great houses serve not merely as art and history museums but as living creative environments where architecture and artistry inspire each other across centuries.

“Turner’s Vision at Petworth” continues through November 16.