Hands on and armchair gardeners alike will enjoy tours of the beautiful and extensive gardens at lovely Arundel Castle. Led by either Head Gardener Gerry Kelsey or Deputy Head Gardener Isobel McKinley, the tours will be held on Friday 18 May, Friday 29 June, Friday 27 July and Friday 28 September.

The gardens were largely developed in the 1850s, although there is evidence of a medieval herb garden in what is now the rose garden. The redeveloped gardens were much larger than they are now as they produced hardy and tender crops as well as a variety of exotic fruits in glasshouses. However, time took its toll and it was only in the 1990s, when the present Duke and Duchess of Norfolk moved in and Gerry Kelsey joined as Head Gardener, that a new plan was formulated for the revival of the gardens.

The Victorian theme has been preserved with the restoration of the peach and vine houses and the re-establishment of the enormous walled vegetable gardens, but new elements have been added such as new tree planting, the reversion of much of the lawns to natural meadow, and a contemporary rose garden. There is colour throughout the seasons, from early Spring to the end of October when the castle and gardens close. The gardens are also run on strict organic lines with natural predatory control, homemade compost from recycled materials and companion planting.

Visitors on the tours will be shown, amongst other things, fruits such as guavas, papaya and chilli peppers grown under cover; tender exotic Mediterranean species in the flower garden and central long borders in cool colours crossed by hot-coloured borders, containing tender plants such as cannas, lobelias and agapanthus that survive winter thanks to Arundel’s mild climate; the white-themed Fitzalan Chapel gardens; and the newer contemporary-styled rose garden; as well as several ancient trees of particular note including a cork oak (Quercus suber) with wonderful bark which is believed to be 150 years old, a gingko biloba, and even palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) growing on a north facing wall.

The garden tours, which are by advance booking only, prove popular and numbers are restricted so early booking is advisable. Tickets cost £15, including general admission to Fitzalan Chapel, gardens, grounds, CastleKeep restaurant and giftshop and a complimentary tea or coffee and biscuit. For £20, general admission to the castle rooms is also included.

Notes to editors

• Arundel Castle has been the home of the Dukes of Norfolk for 900 years; it is the longest inhabited country house in England and furniture, armour, art and antiquities from many periods in its history can be seen. The Castle’s formal gardens create an attractive setting.
• Head Gardener Gerry Kelsey NCH NP grew up in the Royal Parks in London and worked at Painshill Park, Surrey and RHS Rosemoor, North Devon, before coming to Arundel in 1994. He won the Twentieth Century Design Award in 1999 for the Castle and the Sussex Heritage Trust Award in 2000 for the design of the vegetable and flower gardens.
• Deputy Head Gardener Isobel McKinley trained with the National Trust as Powis Castle then worked at Waddesdon Estate before coming to Arundel in 2002. Isobel is responsible for the potager which provides fresh produce for the castle.
• Arundel Castle and grounds are open from 31 March to 28 October 2007. 2007 will be the first year that the castle will be open on Saturdays throughout the season; closing on Mondays instead, except for Bank Holidays. Opening times are: Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm (Castle rooms open from 12 noon). Last entry is 4pm.
• Normal admission rates are: £12 for adults, £9.50 for seniors, £7.50 for children and the great value £32 family ticket (2 adults + up to 5 children) for Castle, Fitzalan chapel, gardens, grounds, gift shop and restaurant.

For further information, contact Arundel Castle on tel: 01903 882173, www.arundelcastle.org, email: info@arundelcastle.org.

For press information and photographs, contact Caroline Edmunds at Pennington PR on01892 616647or e-mail: caroline@penningtonpr.com