Circular walk around Swanbourne Lake and the River Arun

Discover a fairytale castle and the banks of the River Arun

Fairly flat with some small inclines. Grassy bridleways, uneven in places.

Getting here

By bus: There are regular services to Arundel, visit traveline.info/se

By rail: The nearest railway station is Arundel, visit nationalrail.co.uk

Points of interest

Swanbourne Lake

Starting life as a millpond, Swanbourne Lake has records dating back to the Domesday Book in the 11th century. In the late 18th century, during work to Arundel Park, the pond was enlarged to form the lake which is fed mainly by groundwater springs known as the ‘Blue Springs’ due to the colour of the water as it comes out of the ground. The lake is prone to drying out and on one such occasion in 1989 the remains of a German Second World War bomber plane were discovered, along with four unexploded bombs!

Water voles

Keep a look out for these small fury mammals when you’re walking along Mill Road in the spring or summer. Made famous by the character ‘Ratty’ in the book Wind in the Willows, these lovely little creatures can be seen along the banks of the stream or you might even hear them as they ‘plop’ back into the water. Water voles are increasingly rare due to habitat loss and predators such as Mink, but with the help of the National Park and partner organisations they are being reintroduced across parts of East Hampshire. The ones on Mill Road are descendants of water voles that were reintroduced at the Arundel Wetland Centre in 2005.

The River Arun

Running for approximately 25 miles (41km) from its source near St Leonards Forest through Horsham and Arundel before flowing into the English Channel at Littlehampton, the fast flowing River Arun has provided a livelihood for the people of Arundel throughout the centuries. Eels, pike, bass and grey mullet were all found in the river – the Arundel grey mullet was praised for its flavour so people born in Arundel are known locally as Mullets.

Arundel Castle

Originally built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel and one of William the Conqueror’s most loyal barons, Arundel Castle was badly damaged during the civil war. The gothic style castle was restored in 1900 and
is considered to be one of the great works of Victorian England.

Hiorne’s Tower

Built in 1790 by Francis Hiorne with flint and stone in a chequerboard pattern this tower was created to demonstrate his proposed architectural style for the first reconstruction of the castle. You can see glimpses of the tower from the northern bank of Swanbourne Lake and you have an even better view from the top of Arundel Park.

Directions

1. From the front of Arundel railway station, follow the shared-use path to the right which passes underneath the road. proceed into Arundel.
2. Cross Arundel Bridge which takes you over the River Arun and turn right onto Mill Road.
3. Continue straight along Mill Road, passing Blackfriars (the remains of a Dominican Priory) and Arundel Museum on your right. On the opposite side of the road is the entrance to Arundel Castle. On this side of the road, running between the castle and Mill Road, is a waterway – look out for water voles which now thrive here.
4. When the Mill Road footway runs out by the entrance to the old dairy (now a private residence), carefully cross the road and cross over the Millstream using
   Swanbourne footbridge.
5. Head down the steps then back up to re-join the road. For a short distance there is no footpath (between the bridge and the Swanbourne Lodge tea rooms at the entrance to Swanbourne Lake), but the road is wide and visibility is good. If you’d like to visit the Arundel Wetland Centre, continue along Mill Road for an additional 200 metres (take extra care when walking along the road). For those wishing to explore Swanbourne Lake, follow the footpath around the lake which
   brings you out close to the Millstream bridge. To finish your walk you can then retrace your steps back along Mill Road to Arundel railway station.
6. To enjoy the views and scenery along the River Arun take the river route by walking down the steps from the road to Swanbourne footbridge and take the
   footpath on your left immediately before the bridge. This footpath runs alongside the Millstream up to where it meets the River Arun.
7. Turn right and follow the footpath beside the River Arun back into Arundel and re- trace your steps to the railway station.