Arundel Castle and Pubs Walk

Route Description for Arundel Castle and Pubs Walk

If coming by train, exit Arundel station on the side with the ticket kiosk and turn right, following the footpath past the taxi office and under the bridge, then go left, towards the town centre.

Follow this roadside footpath straight ahead, going past a roundabout. Cross over the road when the pavement ends and continue in the same direction, into the town.

Cross the road again when you reach the bridge over the River Arun, and then turn right down Mill Road. Walk past the Arundel Museum and turn right into Mill Road car park, opposite the castle entrance.

As you walk through the car park you’ll pass the Waterside Café and boat hire on your right, a fully licensed café and bar with scenic views from their riverside terrace.

Take the trail up the embankment after the café and follow this trail, with the river on your right for the next 2.9 km. The trail emerges into the car park of the popular Black Rabbit pub, an excellent place to pause and enjoy riverfront views, with Arundel Castle in the distance. This pub has something for everyone, it even has ice cream for dogs!

To continue on this wonderful trail, walk past the front of the pub, through the next car park and into the woods. The trail soon takes you back alongside the river, which you follow for another 1.5 miles until you come to a T-Junction at South Stoke Farm.

Pass over the stile and turn left down the lane (going right takes you over the River Arun). Follow the trail all the way around until you reach the last house on the right. Go right here, onto a signed bridleway, going along the left-hand side of the house. Very quickly you need to turn left at the end of the wall, a small blue arrow marks the way.

Follow this trail straight ahead, through the woods, along a field edge and then into the woods. You’ll catch occasional glimpses of the River Arun, still below you on the right. After almost a mile you’ll notice a wall and then a black kissing gate on your left, marking the entrance into Arundel park.

Pass through the gate and turn left onto the Monarchs Way, which you’ll now follow all the way back to the town. This part of the Monarchs Way provides some sensational views of the surrounding downs and Amberley Mount. Keep right at the fork after 1.6 km, taking the path uphill to the right.

At the top of the hill turn right up the small set of steps and cross over another path to walk in front of Hiorne Tower. Turn left onto the paved path after passing the tower and follow it downhill until you reach the main road.

Turn left when you reach the main road (London Road) and follow the footpath, past Saint Philip’s Catholic Primary School and to St Marys Gate Inn, another great place to pause for a rest, directly below Arundel Cathedral. You could also stop at St Mary’s Gate Inn, a very pleasant pub with real ales and great food, perfect after a wonderful walk.

Walk past Arundel Cathedral and continue down London Road. When you come to New Cut, cross the road, with St Nicholas church on your left. Continue in the same direction, then go right, following the path downhill into the High Street.

Walk past the war memorial and cross the road at The Swan, another great pub that also provides accommodation. At the end of the road, when you meet the River Arun, turn left and then immediately go right over the bridge along the route you took at the start of the walk. Take this road to return to Arundel station.

Insider Hints for Arundel Castle and Pubs Walk

• There’s a water fountain to fill empty bottles directly outside the Arundel brewery, near the bridge in Arundel.
• The Edible Sandwich Company, next to the bridge in Arundel, serves lovely sandwiches and cakes, to either take on a picnic or enjoy outside on the riverside patio.
• Check out all the Arundel attractions to find even more places you can add to this walk.
• Consider staying at the nearby Billycan Glamping Site, where furnished yurts and bell tents provide a comfortable and convenient glamping facility.