Arundel is a great place for walking and cycling
Whether you want a short walk that takes in the sights of the historical town, a hike in the surrounding countryside or an off-road challenge in the South Downs, Arundel is perfect.
The town is located between the South Coast and the South Downs National Park, on the banks of the River Arun. This region is one of the sunniest parts of the UK and is famous for its history, rolling hills, verdant hedgerows, beautiful coastline and romantic landscapes. Arundel is the perfect centre for exploring this ancient landscape, and for discovering the region’s history and architecture on foot or by bicycle.
Our town is very walking and cycling friendly, with ample car parking in Mill Road, a small amount of bicycle parking in the town centre and a direct train link to London. There is a water fountain at the corner of Arun Street and the High Street, and you will find a warm welcome at the many shops, cafes and pubs displaying a ‘Welcome Walkers and Cyclists’ sticker.
Interesting buildings, unusual landmarks, connections with famous people and intriguing street views
Town Walks
Short walks around town
Each of the town’s five principal streets is different:
- The High Street takes you up the hill from the River Arun and the Market Square. It has old coaching inns, pubs, shops, cafés and restaurants on either side, and the Castle’s Upper Gate is at the top.
- Tarrant Street is a former commercial thoroughfare which is still home to shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs, as well as a variety of houses from different periods.
- Maltravers Street is where most of the town’s ‘smart’ historical residences are to be found – a lesson in Georgian and Victorian architecture. There are also some much older timber-framed buildings and the imposing Town Hall.
- At the top of the hill, London Road goes from the Castle’s Upper Gate, past St. Wilfred’s Priory and St Nicholas’s church (founded in 1380), and then on to Arundel Cathedral (opened in 1873). There are long-distance views across the Arun valley to the coast and along the London Road to the Castle. At the far end of the road there is a pub and the upper entrance to Arundel Park.
- Returning to the bottom of the hill, you will find River Road, which passes through the former Port of Arundel and has two riverside public gardens.
If you would like to follow a self-guided walk, Arundel Museum publishes three guides: ‘A walk around Arundel’, ‘The Port of Arundel Discovery Walk’, and the ‘Arundel Museum Quiz Trail’. Each of the walks takes about an hour, and they are all buggy-friendly. The guides can be bought from the Museum, which is on Mill Road, next to the ruins in Jubilee Gardens and opposite the Castle’s Lower Gate.
If you are planning to visit with a group and would like to book a guided walking tour, please get in touch with the Museum (01903 885866). Your walk can be combined with refreshments and a look around the Museum.
Arundel Walking Trails
Walk a trail set out by our locals
There are many public footpaths and bridleways passing through Arundel, including the Monarch’s Way long distance path, a 625-mile (1,006 km) path that approximates to the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester. It runs from Worcester via Bristol and Yeovil to Shoreham, West Sussex, and heads south through Arundel Castle Park and down the High Street, before crossing the River Arun to Warningcamp. The entire route is waymarked.
Circular walks of various lengths and difficulties start and end in Arundel, including walks through the Castle Park and along the River Arun. You can also do one-way walks that start in Arundel and return by train.
The South Downs Way is only two miles away, and there are countless walks within a few miles, making Arundel the perfect centre for a walking holiday.
It is easy to find walks based around Arundel in walking guides and books, and on websites and apps. The local bookshop, The Book Ferret, on the High Street, stocks walking books and Ordnance Survey maps to help you plan your walk.
Many visitors and local residents like to share their walks on apps and websites. Here are a few local walks that visitors have uploaded to the AllTrails app.
Maps are set out on AllTrails
Local Walks and Trails
#respectprotectenjoy
Our recommended places to visit on the way
Stop off for a pit-stop out in the countryside or on the outskirts of town
Cycling
Challenge the South Downs Way from Arundel
Arundel makes an ideal starting point for a cycle ride, or as a stop on the way, as it is easily accessible and has many options for eating and drinking. Parts of the town can be challenging for less experienced (or less fit) cyclists, as there are some fairly steep hills, but the views are worth it.
From the town you can get to the South Downs Way, which is a popular challenge for off-road cyclists. There are also plenty of other on- and off-road routes of different lengths near Arundel, taking you south to the coast and Chichester Harbour or north into the hills.
Online cycle forums are a great place to discover different routes that other cyclists have already tested.
