River Arun Swim

Multiple dates
West Sussex, UK & Channel Islands

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A beautiful river set in the idyllic surroundings of West Sussex. This is an excellent chance to complete a tidal-assisted 6.5km relaxed non mass-start swim and soak up the English countryside at its finest.

Distance per day

6.5km

Water temperature

15-18°C

Ability level

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Swim type

River

At approximately 6.5km, you could use this swim as something to aim for, as a way of training for a longer event, or simply as a unique way to experience rural Sussex. If you are keen to complete a mid-distance swim, and would like to return to work on Monday morning having made the most of your weekend, then this swim is most definitely for you!

This is not a mass-participation event! The maximum group size is 25 and swim guides will be close by to help and encourage you – you will have time and space to enjoy the river and its surroundings. Remember that you will be swimming with the tide, which will help make this distance feel easier than it would in a lake or in the sea. If you are unsure of your swimming ability, feel free to email us and chat with a member of the SwimQuest team, who will be happy to advise you.

Highlights

Swim through countryside

Chalk hills, ancient water meadows and willow-fringed banks drift past as you swim — a front-row view of the South Downs that no walk or cycle ride can quite match

This is not a race!

This is a fun day out, enjoying British summertime at it's best. Stretch out, make friends and enjoy the day.

A well deserved feed

When we finish the swim, there is a short 10 minute walk back to the Squire and Horse pub, where we have reserved a table for food should you wish to treat yourself to a well-deserved feed!

What's included

Included

Swim guides
River safety cover
SwimQuest swim cap
Water and jelly babies during swim
Pre swim tea and coffee
Coach travel to the start (we meet at the finish!)
VAT

Not included

Travel to and from the meeting place
Wetsuits and fins (wetsuit recommended)
Lunch post-swim (although there is a pub at the end if you fancy having lunch with your fellow swimmers)

Getting there

Getting to the river Arun

Train to the meeting point

The meeting point is The Squire & Horse, Bury Village, Bury Hill, Bury RH20 1NS.

The nearest station is Pulborough.

For train times we would recommend The Trainline – their website is www.thetrainline.com.

Train to starting location

The swim start location is The Black Rabbit Pub, Mill Rd, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9PB

The nearest station in Arundel

For train times we would recommend The Trainline – their website is www.thetrainline.com.

Taxi from stations

Taxis at Pulborough station:

Tri-Cars Taxis (Pulborough Station, Station Approach, Puborough, West Sussex, RH20 1AH) | 01798 875779

Taxis at Arundel Station:

Castle Cars (Arundel Railway Station, The Causeway, Arundel BN18 9JL) | 01903 884444

Driving to the swim

Squire and Horse postcode for Sat Nav: RH20 1NS

Take the A3 from London and go past Guildford and then at Milford take the A283 to Petworth. At Petworth carry on the A283 to Pulborough and when you see the signpost to Fittleworth turn right at the brow of a hill. Carry on this road as it meanders through Fittleworth until it ends at a T junction. Turn right and the signpost then says Bury Village and The Squire & Horse is at the bottom of the very steep Bury Hill.

The Black Rabbit postcode for Sat Nav: BN18 9PB (*please remember we are meeting at the squire and horse first)

For Arundel, you carry on up Bury Hill and you’ll come to a roundabout. Take the exit signposted to ARUNDEL / ARUNDEL CASTLE and as you come down a steep hill approaching Arundel take the filter road to your left. Carry on this road passing Arundel Cathedral to your right and turn left on the Arundel town one-way system and down the hill. At the bottom of the hill there is a small roundabout before a bridge. Turn first left at the roundabout and this takes you on a road with Arundel Castle on your left. Carry on for a few miles and you’ll come to the Black Rabbit Pub with a car park on your right and turn in here to park.

You will be sent a final itinerary for this swim a week ahead of your swim date, as the swim and timings are highly tide dependent, but below serves as a rough guide.

Saturday 15 August 2026 swim

For the swim we meet at the end point (The Squire & Horse, Bury Village, Bury Hill, Bury RH20 1NS) where we have our pre-swim safety briefing and post swim lunch. After the safety briefing we take a coach to the swim start.

- – Meeting time: 12.30pm
– Meeting point: The Squire & Horse, Bury Village, Bury Hill, Bury RH20 1NS (01798 831343) – www.squireandhorsebury.co.uk
– Swim Start Location: The Black Rabbit Pub, Mill Rd, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9PB (01903 882638)
– Swim Start Time: 2.00pm
– Finish Location: Steps built into the LEFT SIDE of river bank at Bury village as per swim direction. We expect swimmers to be finished between 4.00pm and 4.30pm

Saturday 12 September 2026 swim

– Meeting time: 10am
– Meeting point: The Squire & Horse, Bury Village, Bury Hill, Bury RH20 1NS (01798 831343) – www.squireandhorsebury.co.uk
– Swim Start Location: The Black Rabbit Pub, Mill Rd, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9PB (01903 882638)
– Swim Start Time: 1.00pm
– Finish Location: Steps built into the LEFT SIDE of river bank at Bury village as per swim direction. We expect swimmers to be finished between 3.30pm and 4.00pm

Information for spectators

If your partner or friends would like to support the swimmers there are various vantage points along the way, the swim start, the bridge between South and North Stoke, Amberley Bridge and the swim finish. All provide excellent viewing spots for photographs, and the SwimQuest team can advise on timings and directions at the safety briefing.

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Dates & book

15 Aug 2026
12 Sep 2026