Hello nose-followers! Pawlock & Fetchson here, back on the road and ready to share our latest adventure. This time our motorhome rolled into Ship & Anchor Marina & Campsite in Arundel, right on the banks of the River Arun and nestled in the glorious South Downs National Park. With a pub on site, train links just minutes away, and riverside walks right from the gate, it’s a pawfect base for dog friendly camping in West Sussex.

Staying at Ship & Anchor Marina & Campsite

This is a pleasant, licensed campsite with everything a motorhome traveller (and their furry co-pilots) could need. Facilities include showers (10 minutes per token – though Fetchson thinks that’s 9 minutes too long for a bath), a campsite shop selling groceries, drinks, ice creams and camping sundries with flexible arrival/departure times if you’re dining in the pub.

Key facts for humans:

• On-site pub & restaurant dating back to 1664.
• Access to the riverside towpath – walk to Arundel in about 50 minutes.
• Ford railway station just a 5-minute walk away (Arundel is one stop, only 6 minutes by train).
• Shop open daily for groceries, drinks, gas and more.
• Showers run on tokens: one 10-minute token per night included, extra tokens sold for £1.
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Day One – Burgers & Belly Rubs at The Ship & Anchor Pub

After settling the motorhome, our noses led us straight to the Ship & Anchor Pub. This traditional English inn has been welcoming travellers since 1664 and now it was our turn!

The humans tucked into delicious homemade burgers while we sprawled happily under the table, ears pricking at every sizzle from the kitchen. The best part? Wet dogs welcome! No need to worry if you’ve been paddling in the River Arun beforehand – tails are always greeted kindly here.

Day Two – A Train into Arundel & Exploring the Castle Town

The next day, we trotted to Ford station – just a short 5-minute walk – and hopped on the train. In just 6 minutes we arrived in the beautiful market town of Arundel, famous for its towering castle and riverside charm.

We sniffed around the outside of Arundel Castle (sadly, dogs aren’t allowed inside the grounds, so Fetchson’s dream of being a knight in shining armour will have to wait). Instead, we wandered through cobbled streets, admired the grand Arundel Cathedral and finally convinced the humans to stop for lunch at Belinda’s Tea Rooms. Humans enjoyed hearty plates while we practised our best biscuit-begging poses – with moderate success.

Good to Know for Dog Friendly Motorhome Travellers

• Pub on site serving breakfast, teas, coffees, lunch & dinner – all homemade with local ingredients.
• Dog friendly camping facilities with plenty of space and direct access to riverside walks.
• Shower tokens: one 10-minute token per night; extras £1.
• Shop on site for everyday bits, ice creams (sorry dogs) and camping sundries.
• Arrival times: normally from 10am–8pm (electric pitches from 12 noon). Departure by 12 noon unless dining in the pub – in which case, humans may linger longer.

Next Time’s Pawsome Plans

We didn’t manage it all this time, but here’s what’s on our wag-list for next visit:

• Walking or taking the train to Littlehampton for a sniff along the beach.
• Returning to Arundel to try the legendary riverside pub The Black Rabbit ((we approve of anything with “rabbit” in the name), a dog friendly spot overlooking the Arun.
• Longer riverside walks straight from the towpath at the campsite.

Final Paw-Prints of Approval 🐾

For us, the Ship & Anchor Marina & Campsite was the pawfect combination: riverside walks, an on-site pub where soggy spaniels are welcome and easy access to dog friendly Arundel by train or foot. Humans loved the history, scenery and hearty food, while we loved the space to sniff, splash and snooze.

Two wagging tails of approval – and we’ll definitely be back to lap up more of Arundel and the South Downs soon.

Pawlock & Fetchson – sniffing out the UK, one pawprint at a time. 🐶🐶