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St Roche's Arboretum
St Roche's Arboretum is a woodland near West Dean, West Sussex. It scores 68 out of 100 for off-lead dog walking (Not for off-lead).
| Off the lead? | No: dogs must be on a lead |
|---|---|
| Where | Woodland near West Dean, West Sussex |
| Size | About 230 acres (93 ha) |
| Water for a swim | There's a stream, but dogs are asked to keep out of the water. |
| Parking | There are several car parks on or near it. |
| Livestock | None known |
| Ground | It's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly chalk, which drains well but can be slippery when wet. |
| Shade | 100% woodland |
| Suggested loop | 2.8 miles, about 85 minutes |
What it's like
A large woodland of about 230 acres, with 7.5 miles of paths. There's a stream, but dogs are asked to keep out of the water. It's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly chalk, which drains well but can be slippery when wet. Most of it is woodland, so there's plenty of shade. It's well away from main roads. There are several car parks on or near it.
Dogs
Dogs must be kept on a lead here.
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.
Parking
- Car park · free · 36 m from the edge · Directions
- Car park · free · 49 m from the edge · Directions
- Car park · free · 49 m from the edge · Directions
- Car park · 215 m from the edge · Directions
Suggested loop
A 2.8-mile loop from the car park with about 160 m of climbing , about 85 minutes at a dog's pace, almost all of it inside the site. About 140 m of it is on lanes or drives that cars use.
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 T Box · Café · · 0.0 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 St Roche's Arboretum?
Dogs must be kept on a lead here.
Is there parking at St Roche's Arboretum?
There are several car parks on or near it. Parking: free.
Can dogs swim at St Roche's Arboretum?
There's a stream, but dogs are asked to keep out of the water.
Are there cows or sheep at St Roche's Arboretum?
We don't know of any grazing livestock, but check the signs and fields when you arrive.
Is St Roche's Arboretum muddy?
It's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly chalk, which drains well but can be slippery when wet.
How long is a walk at St Roche's Arboretum?
Our suggested loop is about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) from the car park and takes about 85 minutes at a dog's pace, with about 160 m of climbing.
Where this comes from
West Dean Gardens leaflet and map ask for dogs on short leads at all times. The arboretum walk is about 2.3 to 2.5 miles. Details come via search summaries, not read directly.
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].