Arundel Park – River Arun
Arundel Park – River Arun Circular Loop
9km – 5.6 miles Difficulty – Easy
Parking: There is free on-street parking along Mill Road, or in Mill Road Car Park, Mill Road, Arundel, BN18 9PA (Pay & Display)
Train: Arundel station is approximately 1 mile from the start of the walk.
This walk commences at Swanbourne Lake in Arundel and heads up through the beautiful Arundel Park and onto the Monarch’s Way. The Monarch’s Way is a long-distance footpath, and is approximately 600 miles in length, running from Worcester to Shoreham-by-Sea. It is based on the route Charles II took when fleeing after defeat by Cromwell. After walking along a section of the Monarch’s Way, the route heads towards the small village of South Stoke, before following the River Arun back to Arundel, with stunning views over to Arundel Castle. Just before the end of the walk, the route passes by The Black Rabbit pub, which serves delicious food.
If you would like to make this walk a bit more interactive then Jennifer Moore, an East Sussex based artist has created a lovely ‘Birds of Arundel’ birdwatching logbook. As well as beautiful illustrations of all the birds to look out for, the logbooks also contain identification text and room to note down your sightings! You can pick up a logbook from her website or from a stockist.
Walk Map & PDF
Download the route directions PDF
Walk Directions
- This walk commences at the entrance to Swanbourne Lake. This can be located along Mill Road, if you are heading down Mill Road from Arundel town centre, the entrance is on the left-hand side. Upon passing through the gates of Swanbourne Lake, head straight on, with the lake on your left which is usually full of ducks.
2. Continue on the path taking you around the lake, until you are approximately halfway around the lake and can see a kissing gate. Head through this kissing gate and continue along the path.
3. At the first signpost, continue following the path straight ahead. When you reach the second signpost at a T-junction, take the path to the right. Almost immediately, take the steep hill up to the left where you can see a new kissing gate at the top.
4. As you ascend up the hill, turn around and enjoy the beautiful views over Arundel Park.
5. Head through the kissing gate, and you have now joined Monarch’s Way.
6. Continue along the grassy path until you reach the small metal gate below. Pass through this gate and continue along the path that bears slightly to the left.
7. Follow the path until you reach the new kissing gate, slightly hidden between the trees. Pass through the gate and continue along the path, following the trees on your right-hand side.
8. You will shortly reach an absolutely breath-taking view over Sussex, where you will be able to see Houghton, Amberley, South Stoke and the rolling South Downs. Continue heading down the hill and through the new kissing gate shown below.
9. Continue descending down the path, admiring the stunning views as you head down!
10. At the bottom of this path, follow the signpost to the right.
11. Continue on this path, where the path with shortly split into three different directions. Follow the signpost, taking the path to the left.
12. Continue along this path, where you will see lots of new trees which have been planted to your left. This path heads downhill and then runs along the stone wall shown below. You have now reached the edge of Arundel Park.
13. Once you reach the tall black metal gate, pass through the gate and take the path to the right.
14. Continue along this path, which now follows the River Arun closely back round to Arundel. Head through the woods, and follow the paths through a couple of fields, continuing through the gate shown below.
15. The path then takes you past a farm on the left-hand side, and will eventually bring you out to the pretty village of South Stoke. When you reach the signpost shown below, take the path to the right past South Stoke Barn, which is often used for wedding receptions.
16. As you reach the road, follow the road round to the left, which will shortly take you past St Leonard’s Church.
17. After passing the church, you will then reach the River Arun – take the stile on the right just before the bridge and follow the path so that the river is on your left-hand side.
18. Continue following the river for quite a while – passing the cute bee hotel shown below as you go!
19. Arundel Castle will eventually come into view in the distance, which is a beautiful view through the reeds. The path with eventually bring you out at The Black Rabbit pub, which is well worth a visit if you have time! From the pub, take the path to the left just after the car park, running next to the river (just a warning – this path can be very muddy when wet – you can take the road instead if this is the case!). Once you reach the first signpost, take the path to the right and follow this path which will then bring you back out to Mill Road where the walk began.
See our guide for more things to do in Arundel, while you are visiting!
