Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award winner, Arundel Castle, is delighted to announce that its spectacular Tulip Festival, regarded as one of the best tulip displays in Europe, is returning for 2026.
Taking place in April (exact dates will be announced when the flowers bloom), this year’s festival will feature an astonishing 110,000 tulips planted across the castle’s spectacular landscape and gardens, from the vibrant tropical borders to the beautiful soft English herbaceous borders.
Curated by Arundel Castle’s award-winning Head Gardener Martin Duncan and his team, this year’s display will showcase over 120 tulip varieties, blending classic favourites with thrilling newcomers. Among the highlights are varieties such as Foxy Foxtrot, Daydream, Ballerina, Monsella, Blue Diamond, Ile de France and Grand Perfection, alongside six spectacular multi-tiered arrangements featuring more than 10,000 tulips.
Commenting on the event, Martin said: “It’s always an honour to bring the magic of the Tulip Festival to life at Arundel Castle. Months of planning and preparation by our team go into creating this spectacular event, and we can’t wait to share it with visitors. This year, we’ve introduced exciting new tulip varieties that will captivate seasoned gardeners and first-time guests alike. It’s a celebration of horticultural artistry at its finest.”
The Tulip Festival at Arundel Castle will take place during April, but due to the unpredictability of when the bulbs will flower, visitors are encouraged to check Arundel Castle’s social media channels or website to find out when the tulip festival is ready to avoid disappointment.
Garden tickets are available at www.arundelcastle.org and are priced from £17 per adult and £8 per child (excl. Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday). Children under five years old can enter for free.
About Arundel Castle:
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 18th Duke of Norfolk/Earl Marshall of England, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, today the castle features extensive gardens and is open to visitors between Easter 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.
Opening times: The castle and gardens are open from Wednesday 1st April – Sunday 1st November 2026. Gardens: 10.00am – 5.00pm. Keep: 10.00am – 4.30pm. Castle rooms: 12.00pm – 5.00pm. Last admission 4.00pm. Closed on Mondays, except in August and on bank holidays.
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