How to spend a day in Arundel – on a bike.

So many places claim to be the gateway to this, the gateway to that, but Arundel, clinging to the banks of the River Arun before climbing its way up into the foothills of the Downs, can truly claim to be the gateway to the South Downs National Park.

If you have a day, and really you should set aside two or three, then the best way to get in as much as you can, would be to bring your bike or hire one locally.

There is plenty of town centre parking, better still come via train (the station is only a few minutes ride from the centre) and go totally green.

Start from Queen Street Bridge over the Arun, take some photo’s of you adjusting your helmet with the Castle as a back drop, making sure your backpack is snacked up with delicacies offered by a variety of local shops, and then let the adventure begin.

Ahead of you is a roundabout. You could go left and follow the Arun via a river towpath to Littlehampton, you could go straight on up the High Street, winding your way through the historic buildings to the A284 and using the road to get up to the Downs, or, you could turn right down Mill Road.

The Castle soars above you to the left, offering jaw dropping photo opportunities every few metres, and after you’ve passed the museum on your right (too early to stop and investigate local history – maybe if there’s time later) you look out over flood plains through an avenue of lime trees. Like the Serengeti only greener, fewer elephants too. But, if you want your fix of wildlife, after you’ve passed Swanbourne Lake there is the WWT Arundel Wetland Centre. You’ve only gone a kilometre or so, but it is well worth a visit.

Back on your bike, carry on along Mill Road, until you reach the famous Black Rabbit pub. We don’t recommend you drink and ride, but a lime and soda might be in order because after this, the serious biking starts.

Carry on up the road from the Black Rabbit heading toward South Stoke, a Sussex hamlet built out on a promontory of the Arun. From here you need to find the Bridleway that heads up the west side of the Arun towards Amberley. It’s challenging, with quite a few tree roots to navigate as you swoop up and down through the trees along the riverbank. You’re actually following a section of the Monarchs Way, the escape route for Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

This brings you after 45 minutes to Houghton Village and you’re well into the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. To the left is the George and Dragon, one of the oldest pubs in Sussex, or down the hill is The Bridge, another beautiful Sussex Pub and/or the Riverside Café offering boat hire. Choices, choices? One of the problems of using Arundel as your gateway to the Southdowns National Park. There are just too many choices.

Left you can join the Southdowns Way and climb up to Whiteways Café in the Houghton Forest and from there back down the hill to Arundel, a round trip of 2 hours. Or right, again via the Southdowns Way, up over Amberley Mount and then choose from a number of tracks, a route back to Arundel via Burpham and Warning Camp. A round trip of 3 hours or so.

You’ll need a good map or alternatively a good guide. A local company www.triberetreats.com offer 3 day Mountain Bike and Yoga retreats from their stunning barn just outside Arundel, www.brooklandsbarn.co.uk. Or they can organise day bike hire and guides.