Micro Event: Arundel Castle views, River, Valley, Downs and Town

If you're reading this, then we've been given a chance to get out, after lockdown, so we can once again fulfil our wanderlust and explore the South Downs. On this strenuous walk, we will get out into the fresh air of Sussex to see some notable buildings, settlements and landscapes.

We'll walk from Arundel town, into the hills via Burpham, then climb gradually up on to the South Downs Way, which gives some stunning views on a clear day, with Surrey to the north, and the English Channel to the south. Weather permitting we will have lunch on a ridge overlooking this stunning ancient landscape. From there we'll meander along the ridge, then follow the river and up into Arundel Park. From the astonishingly steep climb into the Park, we can saunter along into a local pub for a pint, provided that they and the taverns are allowed to open by then.  

The sights: 

Burpham: A lovely, romantic, sequestered village of unaffected flint cottages and barns. St Mary's Church is solid, substantial Norman and Angevin, 1100 to 1220.

Arundel: A very English town close to, but very un-English at a distance, with castle and pinnacled cathedral at either end of a ridge and mellow brick houses tumbling down to the river. A prosperous, immaculate and now quite chic place with antique shops and fine restaurants aplenty.

Arundel Castle: To a 12th-century keep and bailey were added enormous mock-medieval walls and buildings between 1890 and 1903. 

Church of St Nicholas: Built in 1380, in perpendicular gothic. Unique in the country for being both an Anglican parish church and a Roman Catholic chapel.

Arundel Cathedral: The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Philip Neri was built by the 15th Duke of Norfolk at his own expense in 1871-3. Impressive at a distance, forbidding close to, but giving Arundel its dramatic Mont St Michel-like outline.

Hiorn's Tower: The Tower is a habitable folly from 1790. It has a triangular shape with octagonal corner turrets and chequerboard stone and flint facings. A little run-down but a famous landmark.

Arundel Park: This is the landscaped grounds of the castle but also an SSSI, consisting of oak woodland and open chalk grassland. A superb view is to be had over and beyond a broad dry valley.

Dogs:

This walk is not suitable for dogs owing to the abundance of sheep grazing and the scarcity of shade and water.

Micro Events – IMPORTANT: Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
• All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop.
• Please join events within around one hour’s travel from your home, rather than travelling longer distances to get there.
• Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
• Public transport use to the start point is discouraged, as this is a non-essential journey. No car sharing to the start point unfortunately either.
• Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice.
• Each person can only attend one OutdoorLads micro event a week. (Leaders to leave at least three days between events they lead.)
• On walks, one person to hold open gates and allow everyone to walk through – so minimising surfaces that multiple people touch. 
• Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
• Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
• Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

Micro Events Participation Statement

OutdoorLads draws your attention to the fact that travelling and being away from home increases the risk of receiving and transmitting Coronavirus, whilst it is present in the UK. You are likely to choose not to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst there is a risk of Coronavirus transmission. However, should you choose to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst the risk is present, you must be aware of and follow the law and government guidelines, both when travelling to and from events as well as when participating in events.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not experts,  do not need to be experts, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as experts, but are amateurs with some experience in the event type and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

By signing up to and attending an OutdoorLads micro event, you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept the content of this statement.

Please see our website for more information including an FAQ about our micro events.

Food and drink:

Please bring a packed lunch, as there are no shops en-route.