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Stansted Forest

Great for off-lead walking (scores 91 out of 100)

Stansted Forest is a woodland near Westbourne, West Sussex. We rate it Great for off-lead dog walking (91 out of 100): plenty of ground well away from roads, 12 miles of paths and car park.

Directions to parking Open on the map Been here? Tell other walkers
Off the lead?Probably: a walking guide says so
WhereWoodland near Westbourne, West Sussex
SizeAbout 900 acres (364 ha)
Water for a swimThere's a stream.
ParkingThere are 3 car parks on or near it.
LivestockNone known
GroundIt's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly chalk, which drains well but can be slippery when wet.
Shade100% woodland
Public footpath 521, Stansted Forest - geograph.org.uk - 6914813
Photo: Robin Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0
Footpath crossing open ride, Stansted Forest - geograph.org.uk - 7297416
Photo: David Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0
Path on edge of Stansted Forest - geograph.org.uk - 4334430
Photo: Shazz, CC BY-SA 2.0

What it's like

A huge woodland of about 900 acres, with 12 miles of paths. There's a stream. 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. A public road runs through it, so take care near the road. There are 3 car parks on or near it.

Dogs

A walking guide says dogs can be off the lead here, but we couldn't find the landowner's own rules.

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

Pubs and cafés nearby

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 Stansted Forest?

A walking guide says dogs can be off the lead here, but we couldn't find the landowner's own rules.

Is there parking at Stansted Forest?

There are 3 car parks on or near it.

Can dogs swim at Stansted Forest?

There's a stream.

Are there cows or sheep at Stansted Forest?

We don't know of any grazing livestock, but check the signs and fields when you arrive.

Is Stansted Forest muddy?

It's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly chalk, which drains well but can be slippery when wet.

Where this comes from

Estate site welcomes dogs but asks they be kept under control, citing ground-nesting bird and deer disturbance. Other guides mention lead use; no firm lead rule on the official page. Car parks reported open 8am-5pm.

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

  1. Southleigh Forest
    Good (71) · Woodland · 1.2 mi away
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · 2.4 mi loop · Muddy after rain · Shady · Road through it
  2. Markwells Wood
    OK (54) · Woodland · 1.7 mi away
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.5 mi loop · Shady
  3. Hollybank Woods
    Good (72) · Woodland · 1.8 mi away
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · Parking · 1.3 mi of paths · Shady
  4. Watergate Hanger
    OK (35) · Woodland · 2.1 mi away
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.7 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady
  5. Lordington Copse
    OK (43) · Woodland · 2.1 mi away
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
  6. Hampshire Farm Meadow
    OK (58) · Park · 2.2 mi away
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 1.3 mi of paths