🎅 FREE HIKE 20km | Arundel Festive Circular + Optional Festive Dinner/Social ✨
Details
📈 Grade: 🥾 Level 3/5
Join us for a winter hike to the historic town of Arundel, followed by an optional post-hike social at a local restaurant offering an à la carte menu with plenty of delicious choices.
Our journey begins along the banks of the River Arun, once a vital trade route and now a peaceful haven for wildlife. Keep an eye out for salmon, sea trout, and a variety of birdlife that make this river a favourite among anglers and nature lovers alike.
The trail leads us through open fields and a mix of gentle and steeper inclines, offering crisp countryside views and the quiet charm of a festive winter’s day. Midway, we’ll pause at a welcoming café or pub ☕❄️, the perfect chance to warm up with a hot drink or snack before continuing.
Our walk both starts and finishes in Arundel, a town brimming with history and character. From its majestic castle, home to the Dukes of Norfolk for over 850 years, to the tranquil Wetland Centre where kingfishers and otters are often spotted, Arundel never fails to delight. During World War II, priceless National Gallery artworks were hidden within the castle walls, and today the town comes alive each August with its vibrant festival of music, art, and theatre.
With its picturesque medieval bridge over the River Arun and its role as a gateway to the South Downs, Arundel is the perfect place to round off our hike. You’ll also have free time to explore its cosy pubs, cafés, and festive atmosphere at your own pace. 🎁🌟
Alternatively, the post-hike social is completely optional. The spirit of this hike is to create an inclusive and relaxed experience, enjoying the walk together and, for those who wish, sharing a drink or a meal afterwards at the hotel’s restaurant where we’ll order from the à la carte menu.
There’s absolutely no pressure to join the social. If you’d prefer to just come for the walk and enjoy your own festive plans afterwards, that’s totally fine too! 🎄😊
✅ WHO CAN JOIN:
- 🧑🤝🧑 Adults aged 21 and over
- 👶 For safety reasons, no children
- 🐾 No pets (some members have allergies or phobias)
💰 COST:
- The hike is Free
- The hotel requres £10 deposit if you want to sit and eat
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OPTIONAL - XMAS SOCIAL EVENT - Table booking deposit required
After the hike, we’ll proposer a festive social with an à la carte menu, seasonal drinks, and a cheerful XMAS get-together to celebrate the season together.
- Venue: The Swan Hotel - Arundel ; What-3-Words
- À la carte menu options HERE
- Venue booking from 16:00 to 18:30 for 30 people
- We aim to catch the train 18:44 back to London
💷 The restaurant requires a £10 deposit when booking in advance to secure your seat. This amount will be deducted from your food and drink bill. In other words, you’ll get your £10 back through what you order.
Please only sign up if you are committed to attending. Your place at the hotel will only be confirmed once the deposit is paid.
Why do we ask for a deposit?
To confirm attendance.
💳 Please pay £10 per person hotel deposit direct to the organiser using secure payment: [https://monzo.com/pay/r/hike-together_ctfL2tFnyzowi0]
IF you are booking for more than one person, click the link, then click Pay by easy bank transfer. After that, scroll down and click Other to display the account name and sort code necessary to complete your booking.
THEN whatsApp 07780 972 356 OR message AdrianB in Meetup the transation Id.
🔁 Refunds & Transfers
The deposit is non-refundable. If you can’t attend, you’re welcome to transfer your spot to another participant, just arrange the payment directly with them and inform the organiser of their name.
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🚆TRANSPORT OPTION 1: Arrange your own transport, by a return to Arundel.
🚆 TRANSPORT OPTION 2: Group tickets arranged by the organiser, click HERE
IF you want to organise your own group tickets you can do it HERE.
London Victoria - Arundel (Return):
- 🟢😊 £13.00 with a DaySave Group Ticket
- 🟡😐 £26.70 with a Network Railcard discount
- 🔴😢 £40.10 without a Railcard discount
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📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 1 - (London departure):
- 08:00 – Meet at London Victoria station ticket office
- 08:20 – Leave the meeting point and board the train
- 08:35 – Train departs London Victoria (direct to Amberley)
- 10:02 – Train arrives Arundel
📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2 - (Join at Arundel):
- 10:02 – Arundel railway station entrance
- We’ll start with a quick check-in and short briefing, then head out for our walk together. To keep things on schedule, we won’t be waiting for late arrivals.
🚶 WALK STARTS:
- 10:05 – Arundel railway station entrance
🏁 WALK FINISHES:
- 15:30 – Arundel town centre
🍔 LUNCH:
- Bring a packed lunch and some snacks, we’ll be stopping to eat in the wilderness.
↩️ RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:
- ~20 min walk from Arundel town centre to Arundel railway station
- 15:14 – Arrives London Victoria 16:45
- 15:44 – Arrives London Victoria 17:14
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- 18:44 – Arrives London Victoria 20:25
- 19:14 – Arrives London Victoria 20:45
🚻 TOILETS:
- On the train before we begin walking
- Pub, Cafe
- Nature facilities
- Arundel town centre
⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY
- Distance: 20 km (12.5 miles) to 24 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Ascent/Descent: 590 m
- Average Pace: 4.2–5 km/h
- Walking Time: Approximately 5 hours
- Total Duration (including breaks): Around 6 hours
🎒WHAT TO BRING:
- Packed lunch and snacks
- At least 2 L of water
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Layers and waterproof clothing
- Cold weather protection
- Medication and basic first aid
- Fully charged phone & power bank
- A happy festive spirit
📞CONTACT:
- Please message the event host AdrianB or Vickie directly via Meetup with any questions.
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⚠️DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm you’ve read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.
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📸 CREDITS:
- Image licensed from: https://www.robertharding.com/
