Arundel is best approached as an outdoor town-and-river break with your dog. Enjoy the historic streets and castle views on arrival, then choose a Swanbourne Lake and River Arun walk if the ground and weather suit. The similarly named Swan and White Swan are separate hotels, with different locations and dog charges, so check the address as carefully as the room.
Policies researched 27 September 2026 · Check directly before booking
Dog access can depend on the room or accommodation you choose. Confirm the exact dog arrangements before you pay.
The Swan on High Street has selected dog rooms. Its detailed terms say up to two dogs per room at £20 per stay plus £10 for an additional dog, while the page summary separately describes “two small dogs”; confirm size eligibility and the final total directly. The White Swan on Chichester Road lists £15 per dog per night. The addresses and fee units are different, so do not mix the properties.
27-29 High Street · Arundel
The Swan Hotel
A High Street pub hotel with selected dog rooms and dog-friendly bar and garden dining. Obtain explicit room confirmation from the hotel.
The dog details
Selected dog rooms. Detailed terms say a maximum of two dogs per room, with a £20 charge per stay plus £10 for an additional dog. The page summary separately refers to “small dogs”, so confirm size eligibility and room allocation directly. Dogs must be on lead in the hotel and garden, cannot be left unattended, and may join guests in the bar and garden but not the main dining areas.
Book directly with the property Arrange the dog room and confirm the total charge directly before paying.
Use the South Downs National Park’s published circular route as the basis for a countryside day. Choose a short section if uneven paths or road crossings would make a full circuit uncomfortable.
Stay on open public paths and follow signs. Use leads around livestock, wildlife, traffic and other walkers.
Keep the arrival outing to public streets and river views. The castle provides a striking backdrop, but its admission policy makes it unsuitable as a pet-dog interior visit.
Arundel Castle and Gardens admit assistance dogs only. Keep your pet close around traffic and busy pavements.
Settle into the correct Swan hotel and confirm your meal space. Explore a short stretch of the town and river, enjoying the castle from outside its visitor grounds.
Day two · lake and river paths
Check the current National Park route and local signs before setting off. Turn around early if the ground is muddy or your dog tires; the longer South Stoke extension is optional.
A suggested plan, not a booked itinerary. Adapt it to your dog, the weather and current access.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Good to know before you go
Two Swans, two policies
High Street’s Swan and Chichester Road’s White Swan are different properties; their nightly and per-stay fees should not be mixed.
A walking guide is not an access guarantee
Paths and livestock conditions can change. Follow current signs and stay within the public route.
Your Arundel questions
Can I take my pet dog into Arundel Castle?
No. Arundel Castle’s visitor FAQ allows assistance dogs only, so plan a town or river walk instead.
The Swan’s current detailed terms say £20 per stay plus £10 for an additional dog, with a maximum of two dogs per room in the detailed terms. The room-page summary separately refers to “small dogs”, so confirm size eligibility as well as room availability. Dogs need an allocated room, must be on lead in the hotel and garden, cannot be left alone, and may join guests in the bar and garden but not the main dining areas; request a dog-friendly table when booking.
How long is the Swanbourne Lake and River Arun walk?
The National Park’s circular route is about four miles and takes around 1-2 hours; its route material describes uneven grassy paths, bridleway sections and short road/pavement links. Choose a shorter out-and-back if conditions or your dog’s stamina call for it, and follow local lead advice.
What does the White Swan charge for an overnight dog stay?
Its room page lists £15 per dog per night and says dogs are welcome in the pub as well as in the bedroom. Only some rooms are dog-friendly; the page does not state a dog-number limit, so confirm the room and any other conditions directly.
Researched from accommodation operators, property listings and visitor information linked above on 27 September 2026. Prices and policies can change; a stated dog fee is not a room quote or a promise of availability. We have not personally inspected these places. Our day plans are editorial suggestions.
The dog details