Arundel, South Downs
Arundel Park and the River Arun
An easy five-and-a-half-mile loop from Swanbourne Lake up through Arundel Park and along the Monarch's Way, returning by the River Arun past the Black Rabbit.
Photo: Brian Gillman (cropped), CC BY 3.0
- Distance
- 5.6 miles (9 km)
- Time
- About 2½–3 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Start
- The entrance to Swanbourne Lake on Mill Road, Arundel
Parking: Free on-street parking along Mill Road, or Mill Road car park (pay and display). Arundel station is about a mile away.
This walk climbs out of Arundel through the rolling parkland behind the castle and joins the Monarch's Way, a 600-mile footpath that follows Charles II's escape route after his defeat by Cromwell. From the top there's a sweeping view over Houghton, Amberley and South Stoke to the South Downs.
The route then drops down to the tiny village of South Stoke and follows the River Arun back towards town, with Arundel Castle ahead of you. Just before the finish you pass the Black Rabbit, a riverside pub with views across to the castle.
Terrain
- Grassy park paths and riverside footpaths; graded easy overall.
- One steep hill up from Swanbourne Lake into the park.
- Kissing gates and metal gates throughout.
With your dog
- Arundel Park is great for dogs, but dogs aren't allowed in the castle grounds.
- Swanbourne Lake is usually full of ducks: keep dogs on a lead around the lake.
- Lead on near the river and through any fields with livestock.
The pub at the end
The Black Rabbit
The Black Rabbit is a dog-friendly Hall & Woodhouse pub by the river, with a real fire and views across to Arundel Castle.
See The Black Rabbit and more in ArundelFull route
For turn-by-turn directions and a map, use the published route from Discover Sussex. Take a map or app with you as well.
Open the Discover Sussex routeThe weekend walk
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