Areas ›

Off-lead dog walks in West Sussex

86 places to let a dog off the lead in West Sussex, best first. Our top picks are Pagham Harbour, Stansted Forest and West Wittering beach.

• Best walks (13)
• Swimming (43)
• Beaches (6)
• Lakes (9)
• Woods and shade (36)
• Firm after rain (54)
• Away from roads (46)

Near a town: Bognor Regis, Chichester, Bracklesham, Selsey

1. Pagham Harbour
   Great (92) · Lakeside walk near Pagham
   Off lead: In parts of it · Lake · Parking · 10 mi of paths · Muddy after rain · Road through it
2. Stansted Forest
   Great (91) · Woodland near Westbourne
   Off lead: Probably: a walking guide says so · Stream · Parking · 12 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
3. West Wittering beach
   Great (86) · Beach near West Wittering
   Off lead: In parts of it · Stream · Parking · 4.2 mi of paths
4. Left Hanger
   Great (85) · Woodland near Bignor
   Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 2.7 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
5. East Lavington
   Great (82) · Countryside walk near Duncton
   Off lead: In parts of it · Pond · Parking · 2.7 mi loop · Livestock · Road through it
6. Chidmere Pond
   Great (80) · Countryside walk near Chidham
   Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 2.4 mi loop · Road through it
7. Copperas East
   Great (80) · Countryside walk near Apuldram
   Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 2.8 mi loop · Road through it
8. Houghton Forest
   Great (79) · Woodland near West Burton
   Off lead: Probably: a walking guide says so · Parking · 2.9 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
9. Aldwick beach
   Great (79) · Beach near Aldwick
   Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · River · Parking · 3.1 mi of paths
10. Droke (Forestry Commission)
    Great (78) · Countryside walk near East Dean
    Off lead: Probably: a walking guide says so · Parking · 2.9 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
11. Rewell Wood
    Great (78) · Woodland near Slindon
    Off lead: Probably: a walking guide says so · Parking · 2.9 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady
12. Slipper Mill Pond
    Great (77) · Countryside walk near Prinsted
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Lake · Parking · 2.6 mi loop · Muddy after rain · Road through it
13. Newhouse Farm
    Great (77) · Countryside walk near Ford
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 2.9 mi of paths · Muddy after rain · Road through it
14. Selsey beach
    Good (77) · Beach near Selsey
    Off lead: In parts of it · Stream · Parking · 1.7 mi of paths
15. Walks near Oving (north)
    Good (76) · Countryside walk near Oving
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Lake · Parking · 1.8 mi loop · Firm after rain · Road through it
16. Rewell Wood (Fontwell)
    Good (74) · Countryside walk near Fontwell
    Off lead: Probably: a walking guide says so · Pond · Parking · 2.2 mi loop · Firm after rain · Road through it
17. Eartham Wood
    Good (74) · Woodland near Eartham
    Off lead: Yes, if your dog is under control · Parking · 3.2 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Livestock · Road through it
18. Colner Creek
    Good (73) · Countryside walk near Bosham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 2.3 mi loop · Muddy after rain · Road through it
19. Sun Combe
    Good (73) · Countryside walk near Cocking
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · Parking · 2.4 mi loop · Firm after rain · Road through it
20. North Wood
    Good (73) · Woodland near Eartham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 2.7 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
21. Chichester Marina
    Good (73) · Lakeside walk near Birdham
    Off lead: In parts of it · Lake · Parking · 1.5 mi loop · Muddy after rain · Road through it
22. Hedge End Wood
    Good (73) · Countryside walk near Barnham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 3.0 mi loop · Road through it
23. Walks near Oving (south)
    Good (73) · Countryside walk near Oving
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 1.3 mi loop · Firm after rain · Road through it
24. Brandy Hole Copse
    Good (73) · Countryside walk near Fishbourne
    Off lead: Yes, if your dog is under control · Pond · Parking · 2.5 mi loop · Firm after rain · Road through it
25. Pagham beach
    Good (72) · Beach near Pagham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · Parking · 1.6 mi of paths
26. Lordington Mill Pond
    Good (72) · Countryside walk near Walderton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 2.9 mi loop · Firm after rain · Road through it
27. Hollybank Woods
    Good (72) · Woodland near Westbourne
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · Parking · 1.3 mi of paths · Shady
28. Paine's Wood
    Good (72) · Woodland near Walberton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · 2.4 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
29. Watercress beds
    Good (72) · Countryside walk near Funtington
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 2.9 mi loop · Firm after rain · Road through it
30. Walks near Bosham
    Good (72) · Countryside walk near Bosham
    Off lead: Yes, if your dog is under control · River · Parking · 2.1 mi loop · Muddy after rain · Road through it
31. Southleigh Forest
    Good (71) · Woodland near Westbourne
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · 2.4 mi loop · Muddy after rain · Shady · Road through it
32. Popple Hill
    Good (71) · Countryside walk near Graffham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · Parking · 2.5 mi loop · Road through it
33. Wellhanger Copse
    Good (69) · Woodland near Singleton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · Parking · 1.4 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Shady
34. Wildham Wood
    Good (66) · Woodland near Stoughton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 3.4 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Shady
35. Hoe Copse
    OK (66) · Woodland near Heyshott
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · 1.5 mi loop · Muddy after rain · Shady
36. Oyster Bay
    OK (66) · Countryside walk near Felpham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 3.3 mi loop · Road through it
37. Fish Pond
    OK (65) · Countryside walk near Aldingbourne
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 2.2 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Road through it
38. Charlton Down
    OK (65) · Countryside walk near Charlton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 2.9 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
39. Ivy Lake
    OK (63) · Lakeside walk near North Mundham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Lake · Parking · Firm after rain · Road through it
40. Telegraph Hill
    OK (63) · Countryside walk near Compton
    Off lead: Yes, if your dog is under control · Parking · 4.1 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Livestock · Road through it
41. Flint Barns
    OK (62) · Countryside walk near Fishbourne
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Lake · Parking · 2.8 mi loop · Road through it
42. Platinum Jubilee Country Park
    OK (62) · Park near Fishbourne
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 1.0 mi loop
43. Harepath Wood
    OK (62) · Woodland near Elsted
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 2.4 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
44. West Trout Lake
    OK (62) · Lakeside walk near North Mundham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Lake · Parking · Firm after rain
45. Pagham Lagoon
    OK (62) · Lakeside walk near Pagham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Lake · Parking · 0.9 mi loop · Muddy after rain · Road through it
46. The Spinney
    OK (62) · Countryside walk near North Bersted
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 2.7 mi loop · Road through it
47. North Marden Down
    OK (61) · Woodland near Elsted
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 1.0 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
48. Warren Hanger
    OK (61) · Woodland near West Dean
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 1.2 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
49. Inholmes Wood
    OK (59) · Woodland near Stoughton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 2.7 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady
50. Denge Bottom
    OK (59) · Countryside walk near Halnaker
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 3.1 mi loop · Firm after rain · Road through it
51. Hampshire Farm Meadow
    OK (58) · Park near Westbourne
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 1.3 mi of paths
52. Eastdean Wood
    OK (58) · Woodland near East Dean
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.8 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady
53. Birdham Pool
    OK (57) · Countryside walk near Birdham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 3.0 mi loop · Muddy after rain · Road through it
54. West Wood
    OK (57) · Woodland near Bignor
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.2 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Shady
55. Lavant Equestrian Centre
    OK (56) · Countryside walk near Lavant
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 3.3 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Road through it
56. West Copse
    OK (56) · Woodland near Funtington
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · Firm after rain · Shady
57. Slindon Wood
    OK (56) · Woodland near Slindon
    Off lead: In parts of it · Parking · 2.4 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Livestock · Road through it
58. Walks near Halnaker
    OK (55) · Countryside walk near Halnaker
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 1.6 mi of paths · Firm after rain
59. Graffham Down Trust
    OK (55) · Nature reserve near Graffham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.6 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady
60. Markwells Wood
    OK (54) · Woodland near West Marden
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.5 mi loop · Shady
61. Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
    OK (54) · Nature reserve near Stoughton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 2.0 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady
62. Bracklesham beach
    OK (52) · Beach near Bracklesham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · Parking
63. The Trundle (Charlton)
    OK (51) · Countryside walk near Charlton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 1.8 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
64. Heyshott Down
    OK (50) · Woodland near Cocking
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.7 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Shady
65. East Wittering beach
    OK (49) · Beach near East Wittering
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · Parking
66. Stoke Wood
    OK (48) · Woodland near Funtington
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · Firm after rain · Shady
67. Walks near Westhampnett (north)
    OK (47) · Countryside walk near Westhampnett
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 0.9 mi loop · Firm after rain · Road through it
68. Oldpark Wood
    OK (47) · Woodland near Birdham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Muddy after rain · Shady
69. Waltham Down
    OK (46) · Woodland near Graffham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Firm after rain · Shady
70. Binstead Woods
    OK (46) · Woodland near Walberton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Stream · Parking · Firm after rain · Shady
71. Scratlee
    OK (46) · Woodland near East Dean
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.1 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady
72. Runcton
    OK (44) · Countryside walk near North Mundham
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · Muddy after rain
73. Levin Down
    OK (43) · Open space near Charlton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.0 mi loop · Firm after rain
74. Lordington Copse
    OK (43) · Woodland near Walderton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
75. Wood Lea
    OK (42) · Woodland near East Dean
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.0 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady
76. Bersted Brooks
    OK (42) · Nature reserve near North Bersted
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 1.2 mi loop · Firm after rain
77. Ashling Wood
    OK (39) · Woodland near Funtington
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.0 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
78. Redvin`s Copse
    OK (39) · Woodland near Halnaker
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Firm after rain · Shady · Road through it
79. Lady Wood
    OK (37) · Woodland near Singleton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Firm after rain · Shady
80. Watergate Hanger
    OK (35) · Woodland near Walderton
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · 1.7 mi loop · Firm after rain · Shady
81. Hotham Park
    OK (34) · Park near Bognor Regis
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Parking · 0.9 mi loop · Muddy after rain
82. Eastern Lake Park
    OK (31) · Park near Westhampnett
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Pond · Firm after rain
83. East Hampnett
    OK (30) · Countryside walk near Boxgrove
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 1.2 mi of paths · Firm after rain · Road through it
84. West Park
    OK (23) · Park near Aldwick
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 0.7 mi loop · Muddy after rain
85. Havenstoke Park
    OK (23) · Park near Westhampnett
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · 0.7 mi loop · Firm after rain
86. Oaklands Park
    OK (16) · Park near Westhampnett
    Off lead: No rules found: check the signs · Parking · Firm after rain

Local rules for dogs

• West Wittering: dogs excluded from the main Blue Flag bathing zone (groynes 14a to 18, in front of the beach huts) from 1 May to mid-September; dogs welcome everywhere on the beach otherwise. (West Wittering Estate)
• Chichester Harbour Conservancy asks walkers to avoid disturbing birds by keeping dogs under close control or on a lead. Council figures say off-lead dogs on intertidal areas cause many major bird flight events. Keep dogs away from seals. (Chichester Harbour Conservancy)
• South Downs National Park asks walkers to keep dogs on a lead near grazing animals and wildlife, and to stick to paths to protect ground-nesting birds, especially 1 March to 15 September. (South Downs National Park Authority)
• RSPB Medmerry: dogs must be on a lead and under close control at all times, kept to rights of way, because of wildlife, habitats and livestock. (RSPB)
• RSPB Pagham Harbour: dogs under close control allowed on public footpaths and bridleways; no dogs (except assistance dogs) on the Discovery Trail; dog-friendly exercise area at Slipe Field and Yeoman's Field. (RSPB)
• National Trust says use a short lead around sheep on the Downs. If cattle approach, let the dog off the lead and call it back when safe. Chased pregnant ewes can lose lambs, so spring is most sensitive. (National Trust)