On Friday, our first full day in the UK, our friends Mike and Jo took us to Arundel Castle. This is a massive, almost 1000-year-old castle that has been home to the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors (the current Duke is the 18th one) for more than 850 years. I had been to the castle in 2008 (also with Jo!), but B hadn't. It was a great day out and an amazing introduction to castles for the boys!
There were a few opportunities to dress up, which the boys (big and small) enjoyed!
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F was fascinated by this battle diorama showing Arundel Castle under siege in the 1600s.Spiral staircase to get up and down the tower.View from the tower.View from the tower towards the part of the castle where the 18th Duke of Norfolk lives with his wife.The town of Arundel and River Arun.The castle grounds, Fitzalan Chapel and Arundel Cathedral.The Duke of Norfolk's flag.More battle opportunities.Armour and weapons display.The castle's private chapel.Detail on a gun.This golden galleon held salt at the dinner table.Dining room.We saw quite a few bedrooms. Each one had its own bathroom too. Apparently they're still used by the Duke's guests!A paragraph (records atmospheric pressure)... at first we thought it was a seismograph.I found the display about the current Duke's role in Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and King Charles' coronation very interesting since we had watched both of these events live!The Duke is on the far right in both of these pics.He's on the left, wearing red, in this one.At the entrance to the library.The books were behind bars.F found some very narrow seating for a quick rest......as did J, though not as tight for him!This temporary photographic exhibition was on display. It was fascinating to learn how the photographer, Ripley, created twelve enormous photographs of mounted cavalry atop London buildings. It was a five-year project!F and I returned to the diorama for another look just before leaving.Looking up at the keep (the oldest part of the castle) from the moat.We had time for a short wander into the town of Arundel......via a classic red telephone box......past a very nice looking tea shop......and visited this bookshop......where we met Essie the bookshop dog!Then it was back to Mike and Jo's because our friend John was coming to see us.That was followed by a delicious dinner made by Jo, and a fun board game called Hare and Tortoise!
