Thousands flock to Arundel Castle for Easter Medieval Festival

The three-day spectacular centred around an action-packed tournament hosted by the Earl of Arundel to celebrate the coronation of Richard the Lionheart as King of England.

Situated within a tented encampment on the castle’s lower lawns, the event featured dynamic reenactments, including exhilarating displays of 12th-century combat, falconry and archery. Visitors enjoyed various activities and entertainment, from live medieval music to trying their hand at archery and axe throwing. Children enjoyed the craft tent and even had the chance to participate in Arundel Castle’s renowned ‘Kids Battles’.

Andrew Lewis, Castle Manager at Arundel Castle, commented:

“This marks the first Medieval event of the Castle’s 2026 events programme, and we were delighted to see so many visitors enjoying the activities and demonstrations on offer. Whether delving into hands-on experiences or simply enjoying the atmosphere, there was something to captivate everyone, whatever their age.”

The Easter Bank Holiday weekend also marked the start of Arundel Castle’s spectacular Tulip Festival, regarded as one of the best tulip displays in Europe. This year’s festival features an astonishing 110,000 tulips planted across the castle’s spectacular landscape and gardens, showcasing over 120 tulip varieties.

For those who missed the Easter festivities, Arundel Castle will host its Medieval Festival – A Skirmish over the late May bank holiday weekend from Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May 2026. Set against the backdrop of the late 15th century, this three-day bank event will recreate England in 1480, a period of fragile peace following the Wars of the Roses.

Visitors will witness the dramatic arrival of a French raiding party, as tensions unfold into twice-daily live combat demonstrations within the castle grounds. Three fully immersive encampments will be established across the grounds, where visitors can observe traditional craft demonstrations, period cooking techniques, falconry displays, dramatic fire-eating performances, weapons handling, artillery showcases and more.

The centrepiece of each day will be live staged combat ‘skirmishes’ staged against the historic backdrop of the castle, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the tactics, armour and weaponry of 15th-century warfare in action.

Tickets for the Medieval Festival – A Skirmish are available at www.arundelcastle.org, priced from £29.00 per adult, £13.00 for a child, or £71.00 for a Family Ticket. Children under five years old can enter for free. Garden-only tickets are not available for this event.

Please note that catering and event details are subject to change based on weather conditions; for full details, check the website. Arundel Castle reserves the right to change events or access to areas at any time. All catering is subject to menu & opening hours variations and availability. Age and height restrictions apply to some of the visitor activities.

Arundel Castle is a restored medieval castle located in Arundel, West Sussex, England. It was established during the reign of Edward the Confessor and completed by Roger de Montgomery, who was a cousin of William the Conqueror. The castle has been the seat of the Earls of Arundel and the Dukes of Norfolk since the 11th century and is a Grade I-listed building. It was damaged during the English Civil War and then restored in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The castle has been visited by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and has undergone several restorative works over the centuries. Now the seat of the 18^th Duke of Norfolk/Earl Marshal of England, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, the castle today features extensive gardens and is open to visitors between April and early November. Visitors can take advantage of a full events programme throughout the season, from the world-renowned tulip festival to family history days, medieval festivals, jousting tournaments and even Shakespearean theatre events.