The Downton Abbey Connection (That Doesn't Exist)
Arundel Castle is regularly asked about by visitors who associate it with Downton Abbey, the hugely popular period drama that ran from 2010 to 2015 and spawned two feature films. The confusion is understandable. Both Arundel and the real Downton location are grand English properties with aristocratic families, historic interiors and the kind of sweeping architecture that looks spectacular on screen.
However, the castle used for Downton Abbey is Highclere Castle, a Victorian country house in Hampshire, about 60 miles west of Arundel. Highclere is the seat of the Earl of Carnarvon and has a very different architectural style to Arundel. While Arundel is a medieval castle with Gothic Revival additions, Highclere is a grand Jacobethan mansion designed by Sir Charles Barry, the same architect who designed the Houses of Parliament.
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion between Arundel and Highclere likely stems from a general association between grand English estates and period television. Both properties are open to the public, both have aristocratic owners who still live on site, and both attract visitors interested in English history and architecture. For international visitors in particular, who may be less familiar with the geography and architectural distinctions of English country houses, it is easy to mix them up.
The popularity of Downton Abbey has made Highclere Castle one of the most visited stately homes in England. Arundel Castle, while well-known in its own right, sometimes benefits from the reflected interest, with visitors arriving hoping to see the Downton filming location.
Arundel's Own Screen Appearances
While Arundel Castle was not used in Downton Abbey, it has appeared in a number of other film and television productions over the years. The castle's medieval and Victorian interiors provide versatile backdrops for period dramas, and its location in Sussex makes it accessible to London-based production companies.
The castle's Barons' Hall, with its high ceiling, heraldic decorations and medieval atmosphere, is particularly popular with filmmakers looking for authentically grand interior settings. The castle grounds, with their views of the South Downs, have also been used for exterior shots in various productions.
Visiting Both
For visitors who are interested in both Arundel Castle and the real Downton Abbey location, it is possible to visit both in separate day trips from London. Arundel is about 60 miles south of London and is easily reached by train from London Victoria (approximately 90 minutes). Highclere Castle is about 60 miles west of London, near Newbury in Berkshire, and is best reached by car.
The two properties offer quite different experiences. Arundel is a genuine medieval castle with nearly 1,000 years of history, military architecture and family portraits going back centuries. Highclere is a grand Victorian mansion set in Capability Brown parkland, famous not just for Downton but also for the 5th Earl of Carnarvon's role in discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922.
Arundel on Its Own Merits
Regardless of any Downton Abbey association, Arundel Castle is one of the most impressive and historically significant castles in southern England. Its nearly 1,000 years of continuous occupation, its stunning setting above the River Arun, and its rich collection of furniture, paintings and tapestries make it worth visiting entirely on its own merits. Visitors who come expecting Downton and find a Norman castle instead are rarely disappointed.
