This is a circular walk from Arundel through Arundel Park to South Stoke and returning to Arundel along the River Arun. Time: 2.5 hrs Terrain: Undulating with a couple of steeper short climbs Suitable: walkers and joggers Warning: there may be cows on the parts of the river path and there are a number of stiles and gates to pass through / over.
10-15k
Directions to start of walk
Directions to start: From the roundabout on the A27 take the A284 London Road. Take first road on the right which is a sharp turn, carry on for approx. 400m and then turn left to the entrance of Arundel Park where you can park your car.
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Enter into Arundel Park and turn right at Hiorne Tower
Walk through the park gates, up the tarmac road into the park for approx. 300m then turn right in front of Hiorne Tower across the grass to the old cinder gallops where you will see a sign saying public footpath.
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Descend into the valley
Follow this path down the steps through the trees where you will come to a gate on the left with a stile. Climb over the stile and follow the chalk path descending gradually down into the valley.
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Up the short steep hill opposite to stile at the top
When you reach the crossroads at the bottom of the valley go straight across and up the short steep slope slightly to your left. There is a stile at the top. Go over this and head straight on over the hill, past a group of trees on the right and onward to a stile in the next group of trees ahead.
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Climb to the top at the end of tree line
Cross this stile and keep going straight on until you reach the track just in front of the long line of trees ahead. Follow the track round to the left until you reach the end of the line of trees and take in the wonderful views on both sides of the hill.
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Cross the stile and head down
At this point, drop down over the hill to the gate and stile slightly to the left ahead of you. Climb over the stile and head downhill on the chalk path.
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Walk all the way down to the river
As you go along this path, there will be a fence on the right and further on there will be a flint wall on your right. It is quite a steep downhill descent in places. At the end of the wall, go through the ‘kissing gate’ on your right and turn right onto the path up. Head up the path keeping the River Arun on your left below you through the trees.
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Follow the footpath to South Stoke
Carry on along this path for a while, going through a couple of gates. It opens out on to fields on your right and eventually you come out just before South Stoke.
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Walk through South Stoke Village and onto the river bank
You will see a cow byre ahead of you on the left and there is a path the runs alongside it on the right. Once past the byre you come out into a courtyard, turn right and then turn left on to the road into South Stoke village. Pass the village church on your right as the road ends and becomes a path. The path comes to a bridge over the River Arun. Do NOT cross the bridge, instead climb over the stile on the right and follow the path along the river bank keeping the River Arun on your left.
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Walk past Offham along the river to the Black Rabbit pub
The path eventually comes out at the end of the car park at The Black Rabbit pub. Head straight past the pub out onto the road (Mill Road).
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Walk along Mill Road to the centre of Arundel
Walk past the Arundel Wetlands Centre on your left and Swanbourne Lake on your right (optional loop of 1.5km / just under a mile around the Lake). Walk over the hump back bridge and continue along Mill Road. Pass the children playground and putting green with Arundel Castle on your right.
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Walk up Arundel High Street and back to the start point
When you come to the mini roundabout at the bridge, turn right and follow the road up the High Street. At the top of the High Street the road bends round to the left. Follow the road for another 500m or so and you will come to the entrance to Arundel Park on your right where your car is parked.
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