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Horsell Common
Horsell Common is a common near Horsell, Surrey. We rate it Great for off-lead dog walking (88 out of 100): plenty of ground well away from roads, 37 miles of paths, water to swim in and car park.
| Off the lead? | Yes, outside the restricted season |
|---|---|
| Where | Common near Horsell, Surrey |
| Size | About 940 acres (381 ha) |
| Water for a swim | There's a lake, a river and a canal. |
| Parking | There are several car parks on or near it. |
| Livestock | At some times of year |
| Ground | It can be muddy in places after rain (the ground is mostly sandy soil that drains quickly). |
| Shade | 81% woodland |
| Suggested loop | 1.3 miles, about 30 minutes |
What it's like
A huge common of about 940 acres, with 37 miles of paths. There's a lake, a river and a canal. It can be muddy in places after rain (the ground is mostly sandy soil that drains quickly). Most of it is woodland, so there's plenty of shade. A public road runs through it, so take care near the road. There are several car parks on or near it. Woking Borough Council lists it as a SANG, a green space set aside for dog walkers.
Dogs
The landowner or council says dogs can be off the lead for most of the year, but leads are needed at certain times, usually in the bird nesting season.
You're responsible for your dog. Before you let it off the lead, read the signs at the entrance, look out for livestock and roads, and make sure it will come back when called.
Watch out for
- From 1 March to 31 July, dogs on the open access land here must by law be on a short lead (2 metres or less).
- Ground-nesting birds breed here from March to September. Keep your dog to the main paths then.
- Cattle or sheep graze here at some times of year. Put your dog on a lead near them.
Parking
- Monument Road Carpark · free · Directions
- Six Cross-Roads Carpark · free · Directions
- Sandy Track Car Park · free · Directions
- Car park · Directions
Suggested loop
A 1.3-mile loop from Monument Road Carpark, about 30 minutes at a dog's pace, almost all of it inside the site.
Shown dashed on the map above. Drawn by computer from OpenStreetMap paths. We haven't walked it: paths can be missing, private, closed or overgrown.
Pubs and cafés nearby
- The Princess · Pub · · 0.6 mi from the car park · Directions
- Costa · Café · · 0.6 mi from the car park · Directions
From OpenStreetMap. Dog policies only show where someone has mapped them, and they change. Run one of these? Get listed
Questions
Can dogs go off the lead at Horsell Common?
The landowner or council says dogs can be off the lead for most of the year, but leads are needed at certain times, usually in the bird nesting season.
Is there parking at Horsell Common?
There are several car parks on or near it. Parking: free.
Can dogs swim at Horsell Common?
There's a lake, a river and a canal.
Are there cows or sheep at Horsell Common?
At some times of year cattle or sheep graze here. Put your dog on a lead near them.
Is Horsell Common muddy?
It can be muddy in places after rain (the ground is mostly sandy soil that drains quickly).
How long is a walk at Horsell Common?
Our suggested loop is about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) from Monument Road Carpark and takes about 30 minutes at a dog's pace.
Where this comes from
Dogs permitted everywhere except the Wetlands walk. Close control expected; use a lead if recall is poor. Cattle graze some areas, signs on gates. Lead required at the cafe. Poo bins provided.
Researched online in November 2026. Nobody from Find Dog Walks has checked this place in person. Mud and shade are estimated from geology and woodland maps.
- Horsell Common Preservation Society
- Horsell Common Preservation Society
- Woking Borough Council: SANG list
Something wrong? Open it on the map and use "Report a problem with this page", or email [email protected].
Nearby walks
- McLaren Park
- Heather Farm Wetland
- Coxhill Green
- Ottershaw Park Wood
- Milford Green and that part of Coxhill Green
- Brox Copse
More walks near Woking, Addlestone, Virginia Water, Lightwater, or all of Surrey.