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Puttenham Common
Puttenham Common is a nature reserve near Tilford, Surrey. We rate it Great for off-lead dog walking (90 out of 100): plenty of ground well away from roads, 19 miles of paths, water to swim in and car park.
| Off the lead? | Yes, outside the restricted season |
|---|---|
| Where | Nature reserve near Tilford, Surrey |
| Size | About 490 acres (200 ha) |
| Water for a swim | There's a lake. |
| Parking | There are several car parks on or near it. |
| Livestock | At some times of year |
| Ground | It's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly sandy soil that drains quickly. |
| Shade | 75% woodland |
| Suggested loop | 2.8 miles, about 70 minutes |
What it's like
A huge nature reserve of about 490 acres, with 19 miles of paths. There's a lake. It's usually firm underfoot: 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.
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).
- Cattle or sheep graze here at some times of year. Put your dog on a lead near them.
Parking
- Puttenham Common Middle Car Park · Directions
- Puttenham Common Upper Car Park · free · Directions
- Puttenham Common Tarn Car Park · free · Directions
- Car park · free · 5 m from the edge · Directions
Suggested loop
A 2.8-mile loop from Puttenham Common Middle Car Park, about 70 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.
Questions
Can dogs go off the lead at Puttenham 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 Puttenham Common?
There are several car parks on or near it.
Can dogs swim at Puttenham Common?
There's a lake.
Are there cows or sheep at Puttenham Common?
At some times of year cattle or sheep graze here. Put your dog on a lead near them.
Is Puttenham Common muddy?
It's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly sandy soil that drains quickly.
How long is a walk at Puttenham Common?
Our suggested loop is about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) from Puttenham Common Middle Car Park and takes about 70 minutes at a dog's pace.
Where this comes from
Surrey County Council allows dogs, asking for close control and staying on paths in nesting season. Leads advised around livestock. Cattle graze May to November via virtual fencing. Large ponds exist but swimming rules are not stated. Several waymarked trails.
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.
Something wrong? Open it on the map and use "Report a problem with this page", or email [email protected].
Nearby walks
- Church Croft
- Long Cutts Wood
- Little Common
- Hogs Back Downs, Puttenham
- Shackleford Heath
- Royal Common
More walks near Godalming, or all of Surrey.