Arundel’s Tulip Festival ushers in a season of colour

Arundel Castle Flower Festival. Pic S Robards SR2204251 SUS-220425-145629001

In its 149 year history Arundel Cathedral has rarely had to fight for the attention of those in its locale, however the coruscating and intense tulips are an undoubted rival for the famously fair abbey.

His Grace the Duke of Norfolk and the Sussex Heritage Trust have been proudly showcasing Arundel Castle’s world famous tulip festival.

Over the last eight years over 1.2 million bulbs have been planted in the magnificent forty acre grounds and were on display during a recent special event hosted by the castle and the trust.

Attendees took in the stunning displays of narcissus, cammasias and alliums, which have been enjoyed by a large number of visitors so far this year, in the Collector Earl’s Garden – with the magnificent cathedral as the backdrop to the eye catching flora.

Sussex Heritage Trust Award presentation to Arundel Castle, West Sussex, UK.

Photograph by Sam Stephenson, 07880 703135, www.samstephenson.co.uk, @sspjpg. — Sussex Heritage Trust Award presentation to Arundel Castle, West Sussex, UK. Photograph by Sam Stephenson, 07880 703135, www.samstephenson.co.uk, @sspjpg.

The palatial plot recently won an award for the Earl’s Garden, which as recently as 2008 was a carpark but is now a memorial to the extravagant and eclectic tastes of art enthusiast the 14th Earl Of Arundel and was designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman.

Since 2014, the horticultural team has endeavoured to created the best tulip festival possible and in doing so head gardener Martin Duncan created the world’s first labyrinth of tulips.

The historic Stew Pond Project, which won a 2020 Sussex Heritage Trust Award, was also showcased at the special event.