The best walks and hikes around Arundel

From gothic castles to rolling hills - exploring Arundel

The historic town is a fantastic base to start a hike. Arundel walks often begin from under the shadow of its magnificent gothic castle, regarded as one of the great works of Victorian architecture. It is not long before your boots take you away from the market stalls and pubs of the town and onto the beautiful green hills that make up the surrounding landscape. Arundel Park is a great place to watch the wildlife in the nearby wetlands and Swanbourne Lake is well worth exploring on a summer’s evening. 

Other hikes in the Arundel region follow the meandering River Arun, as it takes you south towards the sea or north towards the Downs, great for a mini-adventure. The region is perfect for a hike at any time and the Downs’ national park status means that you can access the trails all year round.

Wildflowers, burial grounds and legends

There is so much to enjoy in the forests and hills nearby. Hike your way through the hazel trees, whilst admiring the many species of grasses and wildflowers that make this such a vibrant, colourful place to roam, enjoyed by hikers and butterflies alike. With glorious views to the Arun Valley, the Weald and the South Downs, nearby hills combine superb scenery with Celtic legend and ancient history. Bronze Age burial mounds adorn summits ripe for exploration, whilst one legend speaks of a fearsome dragon that used to call this delectable region home.

Exploring the South Downs’ history

Some of the best hikes around Arundel are those that venture further into the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs. Artists and writers have long hailed the virtues and beauty of this quiet area of south east England. It is a glorious place for a ramble. Its seclusion made it the perfect place for Canadian troops training during the early 1940s, which means there are many war relics to discover strewn amongst this lush countryside – including the remains of a Churchill Mark II tank.