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White Downs
White Downs is a nature reserve near Abinger Hammer, Surrey. We rate it Good for off-lead dog walking (67 out of 100): plenty of ground well away from roads, 15 miles of paths and car park.
| Off the lead? | In parts of it |
|---|---|
| Where | Nature reserve near Abinger Hammer, Surrey |
| Size | About 520 acres (212 ha) |
| Water for a swim | There's no water for a swim. |
| Parking | There's a car park (White Down Car Park). |
| Livestock | Yes, grazing here |
| Ground | It can be muddy in places after rain (the ground is mostly clay soil that holds water). |
| Shade | 80% woodland |
| Suggested loop | 2.6 miles, about 65 minutes |
What it's like
A huge nature reserve of about 520 acres, with 15 miles of paths. There's no water for a swim. It can be muddy in places after rain (the ground is mostly clay soil that holds water). Most of it is woodland, so there's plenty of shade. A public road runs through it, so take care near the road. There's a car park (White Down Car Park).
Dogs
The landowner or council says dogs can be off the lead in parts of the site, but leads are needed in some areas. Signs on site show where.
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).
- Livestock graze here. Put your dog on a lead near them.
Parking
- White Down Car Park · free · 10 spaces · Directions
Suggested loop
A 2.6-mile loop from White Down Car Park, about 65 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 White Downs?
The landowner or council says dogs can be off the lead in parts of the site, but leads are needed in some areas. Signs on site show where.
Is there parking at White Downs?
There's a car park (White Down Car Park). Parking: free.
Can dogs swim at White Downs?
There's no water for a swim.
Are there cows or sheep at White Downs?
Yes. Livestock graze here, so put your dog on a lead near them.
Is White Downs muddy?
It can be muddy in places after rain (the ground is mostly clay soil that holds water).
How long is a walk at White Downs?
Our suggested loop is about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) from White Down Car Park and takes about 65 minutes at a dog's pace.
Where this comes from
Search summary of National Trust Abinger Roughs guidance: well-controlled dogs welcome, leads where livestock graze. Page itself was blocked, and the link between that guidance and White Downs is unverified. CRoW land requires short leads near livestock.
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
More walks near Dorking, or all of Surrey.