arundel Archives - Viking Wanderer

Continuing my 2 day exploration of Arundel, nestled snugly in the heart of the south downs, I continued my tour to the it’s highlight, Arundel castle.

I first saw Arundel from my train window, looming in it’s extravagance above leafy tree tops surrounded by lush marshland and the hazy river Arun.

It reminded me of Harry Potters Hogwarts! The castle itself is over a 1000 years old and now resides under the care of the Duke of Norfolk, who still resides in its quarters.

There are 3 different guest passes available, but seeing as I was on a backpackers budget, I picked the middle option which included the castles keep and gardens, also castle access to a few rooms for £11.00.

If you wish to take the grand tour of the elaborate castle chambers, with incredible views overlooking the south downs, I would advise upgrading to the £18.00 ticket that gives you full access.

The highlight for me was actually it’s famous landscaped gardens and water features. The collectors earl garden was the highlight of my trip to Arundel.

It’s based on a Jacobean style, flanked with oak obelisks and shell encrusted walls, framed by large terracotta plant pots and metallic dragonfly’s skimming perilously close to the waters edge.

I spent the rest of the afternoon under the shade of large oaks, reading my kindle on thick, lush, finely manicured lawns.

Would you like to visit? Arundel is only 1.20 minutes from central London!

London

Exploring Arundel – The South Downs

by Viking Wanderer

And I’m outta here.

Leaving behind the yellow smog of Hammersmith bypass, the strewn burger king wrappers at Victoria Station and the endless stream of grey enclad bodies.

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I’m off to Arundel, in West Sussex, UK . A Lord of the rings esque sounding village, lacking in hobbits but completed with Riverside Castle and moorhen dunking wetlands.

I found a fantastic room at an air bnb and my bubbly hostess Sam picked me up from the train station and drives me in her sun drenched convertible to my room for the nest 2 nights.

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Beautifully wooden floors, covered with large thick rugs, the heart of the house, a sprawling kitchen, pine filled kitchen, my room with a view over countryside gardens and the south downs as a backdrop. A warm, cosy american style quilt covers a single bed.

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Firstly I hike up Mill lane, a small brook with fluffy grey signets on my left and hazy fields with bellowing cows on my right. Shaded by large trees, it takes me around 15 minutes to reach the lakes.

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Just to the left of this serene, rowing boat scene lies a small mill by the water. Out of bounds and fenced off apart from a mud spattered hike up a ditch to take photos, under the bough of a large tree.

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The lakes have multiple walkways through slightly overgrown bracken trails, leading you deeper into the heart of the south downs.

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I skipped the hike due to my London uniform of black long maxi and sandals, and oversized sunglasses. Chic possibly but completely out of place here. What was meant to be a short walk to the river was fast becoming a disorganised, dehydrated clamber along country roads.

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I decided to hike onwards through the fierce mid day sun to the river and visit the Black rabbit, to sit by the river and have a whisky, bake in the sun and watch the river haze. Then I get a taxi home to recharge for my Arundel castle visit tomorrow!

Tag: arundel

Arundel Castle – The South Downs

Exploring Arundel – The South Downs

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