Houghton

Few places can boast as fabulous a view as Houghton. The village looks south towards North Stoke across the valley of the River Arun. In the winter mornings there's often an eerie effect above the river as ghostly fog fills the valley below.

It's a shame that the traffic swoops down the hill so fast, rumbling throught the narrow main road in the village though. Pedestrians take their lives in their hands walking from Houghton across Houghton Bridge to the nearby railway station at Amberley.

The Monarch's Way runs through the village and it was at the George and Dragon Pub that Charles II had a quick bite to eat and a drink before crossing the River Arun at Houghton Bridge - just 500 metres away. The danger the King faced is brought home by the fact that he wouldn't dismount from his horse while eating in case he needed to make a quick dash to escape from Parliamentarian soldiers who were prevalent around the Arundel area and who his party expected to be guarding all the major river crossing points.

St Nicholas's Church dates from the 13th century, although a lot of it was rebuilt by the Victorians.

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The George and Dragon

The pub at Houghton has a really good terrace from which you can look across the Amberley Wild Brooks and along the scarp slope of the South Downs.

Where to stay near Houghton

Other hotels and B &B near Houghton

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