B2 Walk 22/B1 Walk 32 (in reverse) Combo: Amberley to Atmospherically Christmasy Arundel
Train: London Victoria: 9:35AM Southern train (East Croydon 9:53AM), arriving Amberley at 10:58. Return trains from Arundel are at 14 and 44 past the hour. Buy a day return to Arundel.
Length: 11ish miles/18ish km with lots of options to go longer or shorter
Difficulty: 6.5 out of 10
This mix-and-match walk combines (arguably) the best bits of two of our popular walks in the area. Leaving Amberley railway station we start by following the directions in the Book 2 walk up High Titten (road) and skirt by Downs Farm to proceed along the South Downs on a section of the South Downs Way more-or-less all the way to the village of Burpham. After lunch we switch to the Book 1 walk - in reverse - which takes us beside the River Arun then along a pleasant woodland path above the river before we enter the grounds of the Duke of Norfolk's modest back garden - Arundel Park. Up some steep paths to then enjoy a lovely view as we descend through parkland before leaving the park and entering the town. Arundel is usually very festive during the holiday season with a nice array of decorations in the town center. More information on the walks can be found here (B2W22) and here (B1W32). For those who like reading the instructions, a full set for this combination route can be found at the end of the main walk instructions for B1 Walk 32.
The recommended lunch stop is the highly regarded The George in Burpham (01903 883131) about 5 miles/9km into the walk. It is highly recommended that you book in advance!
Tea and post walk refreshies can be had at a variety of places in Arundel.
T=2.22
1 comment:
An adventurous n=3 alighted from the posted train in Amberley to light grey cloud and misty dampness. We made progress along some overgrown paths and many fallen tress lying cross the path, requiring some scrambling around. There seemed very few people about, underfoot it was muddy and slippery but walkable. The weather soon cleared to a w=bright_low_sun_and_wispy_cloud which lasted the rest of the day, giving amazing views from the top of the downs. Two enjoyed mulled cider, Harveys best and parsnip soup in The George, whilst one located the final resting place of Shirley Valentine in the churchyard. The afternoon saw beaters and gun dogs at the ready, with ‘much slaughter of flying creatures’. Group cohesion was 100% and we all enjoyed tea and mince pies in the Mott & Bailey cafĂ©, which stays open later than other places. We slightly mistimed leaving for the train (unaware it is only about 12 minutes walk) and waited a while on the platform before catching the 17:14 back to London. There was no Christmas market in Arundel btw,
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