Arundel

Arundel (under construction)

I have written about Arundel before but thought I would share a few shots of a recent visit. I am blessed to live just down the road from this historic town with its massive lived-in castle and Catholic Cathedral standing sentry high over the the settlement that pours down the steep slopes of the surrounding hills to the river. Sometimes I bike here, 17 miles or so return, sometimes I drive, but it is always a pleasure.

But you just need a great spring day to bring out magical colours in your shots which is exactly what you see in the above one of the bridge over a spur of the Arun river which feeds out of Swanbourne lake, a beauty spot just north of the town centre and within walking distance. Look at that turquoise green under the bridge and in the next imaginary shot some mythical Lord of the Rings creature could appear from under the archway. Such was the beauty of this scene that a flurry of photographs were taken and not just by me.

This is the road that heads north to Swanbourne lake from the town centre and eventually swings round to the Black Rabbit pub, that famous local watering hole on the bend of the River Arun. As you can see it hugs the side of the castle grounds. Swanbourne lake is virtually stuck to the roadside on the left a bit further on so you can't miss it. Here most people congregate for family fun, boating on the lake, feeding the ducks, frequenting the ice cream kiosk or trying out the little Victorian cafe, but for the more adventurous, endless folds of the south downs await you once you strike north alongside the tapering lake. Arundel is basically a massive park with a town stuck at its southern end, what's not to like.

This is the view looking back to Swanbourne Lake ad you head off into the massive green waves of Arundel Park, cropped with patches of woodland, and stretching up to the glorious views from the scarp slope of the Arun valley, Amberley, and the brace of Stokes, the little hamlets of North Stoke and South Stoke. Give yourself a couple of hours or so to walk there and back.

This scene looks southwards towards Arundel and the coast, with Dry Lodge Plantation on the left. Up here it's the land of wide open vistas and bucolic English rural scenes, notably a surfeit of new born lambs prancing the meadows, looking so slight that a big gust of wind might blow them away. your're also not far from the scarp slope where you get an eyeful of the Sussex Weald.

This photo looks out towards Houghton across the Arun valley.

Here's another shot southwards across Arundel Park.

This shot looks down the avenue back towards Arundel town centre from the direction of Swanbourne Lake. There are paths on both sides of the road making for a pleasant stroll any time of the week. This is a good parking spot as well, free parking on this side of the road all the way into the centre of Arundel, but get here early if you want an easier parking spot.

This chap was a bit of a poser, floating up and down the watercourse and preening in front of the public. I think his Mum needs to have a word with him to stop showing off so much, a bit of propriety might be in order!