Our Blog - August 2025 - England trip - Week2
We moved holiday cottages for week 2, moving about an hour west and inland a bit. We were close to several hiking areas, so Lucy got some nice walks. This cottage had a little larger yard to play in but it also had a few too many holes (I assume wild animals) so we limited her ball playing to one side of the yard.
The first walk was next to a working farm and it had a walk up a hill and then back down. From the top, we could see Devil's Dyke across the way, which was also on the list to do.
We went to the town of Arundel on "market day", so traffic was pretty bad but we were able to find parking pretty easily.
Forest walk through Slindon Estate, which is a 3,500 acre agricultural and woodland estate that is now managed by the National Trust. It was sunny today so we tried to stay in the forest area where it was a bit cooler. Lucy took break from walking for a few minutes to dig a little hole and roll in it.
Another "market town", we went to the town of Chichester to do a tour of the town and also have another Sunday Roast. This road was a bit different from the first, with a thinner sauce (but just as flavorful) that was just on the plate and not poured into the Yorkshire pudding.
Our first walk through Devil's Dyke was quite nice. You can see the English Channel from the hill, which is about 10 miles South. A bit cloudy today but no rain, thankfully.
There is a pub just around the corner that we popped over to a couple of times while we were here for drinks before dinner and for dinner one night.
Our 2nd walk in Devil's Dyke, this time taking a different path that took us down, around the side of a hill, and back up. Then we got to dodge cows that were grazing in the fields on the way back.
We then went back to Arundel without Lucy to visit Arundel Castle, since dogs are not allowed. Traffic was still a bit of a problem because there was some special event going on that afternoon, and parking was a bit more difficult but thank goodness for "overflow parking"!
And another set of ciders.
We moved to a B&B a little bit closer to London (less than 30 minute drive to Gatwick Airport) for 2 nights. On the way, we did another forest walk for Lucy.
From there, we had lunch at a pub (go figure, right) and then stopped at Standen House, another National Trust property to take a look through the house and gardens.
Chartwell
Hever Castle
Sheffield Park
Are you tired of cider pictures yet?
Some days, Lucy is a fanatic with the ball, playing forever, while other days, she has no interest. Today was a ball-playing-day!
Time to move locations again ... but we hit a few things along the way. Our first stop was a walk for Lucy through another National Trust property, Emmetts Gardens.
Another Sunday, another Sunday roast. This time, the gravy was thick and over the meat with the Yorkshire pudding on the side. The veggies here were probably the best we've had so far. For the first time, Lucy ALSO got a Sunday Roast! They had what they called a "doggie deli" on the menu, so we ordered that. It had ham and sausage along with peas and carrots. The video doesn't go through the whole meal for her, just the start!
Stoneacre