THE JEWEL IN the crown of the South Downs National Park, Arundel is home to a Neo-Gothic cathedral, ornate town hall, bustling high street and of course the epic Arundel Castle, home of the Duke of Norfolk. Most walks around Arundel either start or end at the castle, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore the grounds and get a more intimate view of this once-medievalturned-Gothic-styled palace.

Richard Campbell shares his three top walks from historic Arundel Castle in West Sussex...

1 ARUNDEL CASTLE AND PUBS WALK Revel in Arundel Castle’s timeless beauty on this lengthy 13.5km loop. Stroll alongside the picturesque River Arun before heading uphill into woodland and the rolling countryside. TOP TIP: stop at the Black Rabbit Pub, where dogs can enjoy a scoop of pup-friendly ice cream. The ideal snack for a pampered pooch.

2. ARUNDEL CASTLE WALK Not into walking 13.5 km? The Arundel Castle Walk is shorter at 7.4 km and makes for a fantastic family-friendly adventure. The walk itself takes you around Arundel Castle, before continuing around Swanbourne Lake and alongside the banks of the River Arun. It’s worth paying the small fee to enter the grounds and explore the manicured hedgerows, colourful flora and carved grass designs.

3. SWANBOURNE LAKE WALK If you really want to pack in the scenery in a short stretch of time, the 3.5km Swanbourne Lake Walk is for you. This gentle stroll sets out from Arundel, so you can explore the castle grounds before or after you circumnavigate Swanbourne Lake. However, you’ll still be able to see the castle standing tall in the backdrop as you make your way around this path. Turn this adventure into one to remember by hiring a boat on Swanbourne Lake. GTW