Arundel Castle - Travelling with a Tudor Expert

So Faye arrived from Australia on Tuesday, and we have already done a crazy amount of sightseeing. But by far and away my favorite place we have been to so far has been Arundel Castle, home to the Dukes of Norfolk.
For those of you that don't know, Faye is the biggest Tudor history buff around. She is the person you want on your team at the local pub trivia night. Arundel Castle has a loose connection to the Tudors as being the main residence of the Dukes of Norfolk, who are related to both Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard (two of Henry VIII's wives).

It is definitely worth noting that these are the two wives that also had their heads loped off for adultery. #dontpissofftheking Funnily enough there was no mention of either Anne or Catherine in the castle, despite the third Duke of Norfolk being instrumental in getting Anne, and then Catherine, on the throne. Apparently when Catherine Howard was being tried for adultery, the Duke of Norfolk wrote a letter to the King throwing his niece under the bus (or horse?). I guess in the world of politics, nothing much has changed.

Arundel Castle is one of the motte and bailey style castles that William the Conqueror established when he invaded England. As with a number of castles in the south it has ties to Empress Matilda and the Civil War battles. My phone went flat halfway through the day because I had to keep wikipeding stuff, I had so many questions.

Apart from the castle, the village of Arundel is one of the most picturesque villages I have been to so far, and it sits on the river Arun. Faye and I treated ourselves to a pub meal and caught a very delayed train home. Even if you aren't crazy for history, Arundel is worth the visit just to stroll around the village and soak up the incredible grounds, and is probably one of the most accessible castles near London, but with none of the crowds that you get at Windsor Castle.

Anyway, Faye and I were pretty much in our element for the entire day nerding it up, and the weather was perfect. As you all know, I am made keen for gardens, and the Arundel Castle gardens did not disappoint. Spring and summer are just another world in the UK. I don't know how I am going to survive winter after this!!!