Page 97 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

DRIVE 8: Exploring the South Downs 95

useful village shop near the Black
Horse pub. Several hours can be
spent at Amberley Museum &
Heritage Centre (open mid-Mar–early
Nov: Wed–Sun; daily during school summer
holidays; 01798 831 370; www.amberley
museum.co.uk) in a nearby former chalk
pit where there are displays of historic
transport, old lime kilns and crafts-
people including clay pipe makers.
ª Continue along the B2139 to join
the A284 to Arundel. Park by the river
on Mill Road, opposite castle entrance.
Above Dominating the skyline, the turrets
designed by “Capability” Brown. The and towers of Arundel Castle
house holds the National Trust’s
biggest art collection, with works
by J M W Turner. The town is known EAT AND DRINK
as an antiques centre. In the High
Street is a delightful museum, AMBERLEY
Petworth Cottage (Apr–Oct: open The Bridge Inn inexpensive
Above An example of a half-timbered house, Tue–Sat & Bank Hol Mon, pm only), Log fires in winter and a garden patio
in summer makes this atmospheric
Petworth, West Sussex kept in a time warp at 1910, when pub a great option any time of year.
it was occupied by Mary Cummings, Terrific food and drinks, and regular
9 Arundel a local seamstress. live music.
West Sussex; BN18 9AB ª Take the A272 to Midhurst. There Houghton Bridge, BN18 9LR; 01798
831 619; www.bridgeinnamberley.
Dating from the Norman conquest is a car park on the left as the road co.uk
but largely Victorian, Arundel Castle enters town, or park on Main Street.
(open Apr–Oct; closed Mon except in Aug & ARUNDEL
Bank Hols; www.arundelcastle.org) domi- The South Downs Way The Black Rabbit moderate
nates this pleasant market town of This walking route runs for more than The beautiful setting beside the River
Arun with views across to the castle
antiques shops and tearooms – one 160 km (100 miles) along the ridge made this pub famous.
of the oldest is 16th-century Belinda’s of the Downs from Eastbourne to Mill Road, BN18 9PB; 01903 882 828;
in Tarrant Street. Hire a motor boat for Winchester in Hampshire. It takes 6–9 www.theblackrabbitarundel.co.uk
a cruise on the River Arun from The days to complete, but can be done in The Town House moderate
stages at weekends. The route is a
Waterside Tea Garden (open Mar–Oct). bridleway, so horse riders and cyclists Dine under a splendid Renaissance
Continue on Mill Road to Swanbourne enjoy it too. Footprints of Sussex ceiling at this fine-dining restaurant
Lake and hire a rowing boat before does self-guided holidays (01903 813 offering delicious dishes such as
roasted partridge with game chips.
visiting Swanbourne Lodge Tea Rooms 381; www.footprintsofsussex.co.uk). 65 High Street, BN18 9AJ; 01903 883
for a cream tea. Glide through water- For shorter loop walks, see www. 847; www.thetownhouse.co.uk;
nationaltrail.co.uk/south-downs-way
ways on a boat at the Arundel closed Sun & Mon
Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre (open
daily). Bignor Roman Villa (open Mar–
Oct; www.bignorromanvilla.co.uk), 9 km
(6 miles) north of town, is worth a visit.
ª Return up A284, then A29 towards
Pulborough. At Bury Hill turn left to
Bignor (signed) and carry on past
Roman Villa and Sutton to A285. Turn
right to Petworth and central car park.
0 Petworth
West Sussex; GU28 OAE
Petworth town is dominated by the
vast Petworth House and Park (open
daily) whose extensive grounds were
Right An antiques shop on the steep
High Street, Arundel
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50

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