Dog-Friendly South Downs

The South Downs National Park stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne, offering accessible dog-friendly walking just an hour from London. Rolling chalk hills, ancient woodland, and dramatic coastal cliffs provide varied adventures. Well-connected by public transport and dotted with welcoming pubs, the South Downs delivers quality walking without lengthy journeys.

This guide covers everything dog owners need to know about the South Downs.

South Downs Overview

The Area

Geography:

• From Winchester (Hampshire) to Eastbourne (Sussex)
• Chalk downland
• 100+ miles long
• South Downs Way runs the length
• Coastal cliffs at eastern end

Character:

• Rolling hills, not mountains
• Big skies and views
• Ancient woodland
• Pretty villages
• Strong walking tradition

Why Dogs Love It

• Varied terrain
• Good off-lead areas
• Accessible from cities
• Year-round walking
• Pub stops throughout

Best Areas

Western Downs (Hampshire)

Winchester Area:

• Queen Elizabeth Country Park
• Butser Hill (highest point)
• Meon Valley
• Historic Winchester nearby

Highlights: Queen Elizabeth Country Park offers excellent forest and downland walking with good facilities.

Central Downs (West Sussex)

Arundel Area:

• Arundel Castle (grounds)
• River Arun walks
• Amberley
• Slindon Estate (National Trust)

Petworth Area:

• Petworth Park (deer, dogs on leads)
• Pretty villages
• Good pub walks

Highlights: Classic South Downs walking with pretty villages and accessible terrain.

Eastern Downs (East Sussex)

Lewes Area:

• Historic county town
• Ditchling Beacon
• Easy train access
• Good pubs

Seven Sisters:

• Dramatic chalk cliffs
• Cuckmere Valley
• Iconic coastal scenery
• Beach access (dogs welcome)

Beachy Head:

• Highest chalk sea cliffs in UK
• Eastbourne access
• Dramatic walking

Highlights: The most dramatic scenery. Seven Sisters is unmissable.

The South Downs Way

The National Trail

Overview:

• 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne
• Well-waymarked
• Variety of terrain
• Can be walked in sections

For Dogs:

• Excellent walking throughout
• Livestock in some sections (leads needed)
• Good pubs and villages along route
• Manageable day walks from various points

Section Walks: Don't need to do the whole thing. Day sections very rewarding.

See our Long Distance Trails guide for more on multi-day walking.

Recommended Walks

Easy Walks

Queen Elizabeth Country Park: Forest trails. Various lengths. Good facilities. Excellent for dogs.

Kingley Vale: Ancient yew forest. Easy paths. Atmospheric. Dogs welcome.

Cuckmere Valley: Flat riverside walking. Seven Sisters views. Beach access.

Moderate Walks

Ditchling Beacon: Popular viewpoint. Circular walks possible. Train accessible (from Hassocks).

Devil's Dyke: Dramatic dry valley. Iconic South Downs. Pub at top.

Chanctonbury Ring: Iron Age hill fort. Views. Circular routes possible.

Challenging Walks

Seven Sisters: Full cliff walk. Distance depends on route. Some steep sections.

Full Day Routes: Combining multiple points along South Downs Way.

Coastal Section

Seven Sisters Cliffs

The Highlights:

• Seven chalk cliff peaks
• Cuckmere Haven beach
• Stunning scenery
• Dogs welcome

Dog Considerations:

• Keep away from cliff edges
• Beach accessible
• On lead near edges
• Can be windy

Cuckmere Haven

The Beach:

• Dogs welcome year-round
• River mouth
• Pebble beach
• Surrounded by cliffs

Beachy Head

Dramatic Cliffs:

• Highest chalk cliffs in UK
• Belle Tout lighthouse
• Eastbourne accessible
• On lead near edges

Country Parks and Estates

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Excellent for Dogs:

• Large forest area
• Downland walking
• Good car park
• Cafe (dogs in outdoor areas)
• Various trail lengths
• Off-lead areas

Stanmer Park

Near Brighton:

• Large park
• Village and cafe
• University edge
• Good dog walking
• Accessible

Slindon Estate (National Trust)

National Trust:

• Woodland and downland
• Dogs welcome
• Traditional estate
• Good walking

Arundel Park

Around Arundel:

• Castle grounds (check policies)
• River walks
• Historic town
• Varied terrain

Dog-Friendly Pubs

Pub Culture

The South Downs has excellent dog-friendly pubs.

What to Expect:

• Traditional country pubs
• Walking culture understood
• Muddy dogs tolerated
• Good food often available

Classic Pub Stops

Throughout the Downs:

• The Tiger Inn, East Dean (near Seven Sisters)
• The Ram Inn, Firle
• The Sussex Ox, Milton Street
• Various Devil's Dyke options

See our Pub Walks guide for more.

Practical Information

Getting There

By Train: Excellent access from London and south coast:

• Hassocks (for Ditchling Beacon)
• Lewes (central Downs)
• Eastbourne (Seven Sisters, Beachy Head)
• Winchester (western Downs)

By Car: Good access throughout. Car parks at main walking spots.

Best Times to Visit

Year-Round: South Downs walks work any time.

Spring: Wildflowers. Lambing (dogs on leads near livestock).

Summer: Long days. Can be busy at popular spots.

Autumn: Beautiful colours. Quieter.

Winter: Crisp walking. Empty downs. Mud possible.

Livestock

Awareness:

• Sheep graze throughout
• Cattle in some areas
• Dogs must be controlled
• Leads essential near livestock

Accommodation

Where to Stay

Good Bases:

Lewes: Historic town. Central location. Good transport.

Arundel: Castle town. River access. Pretty location.

Winchester: Western end. Historic city. Good facilities.

Brighton: Coastal city. Downs accessible. Urban amenities.

For accommodation options, see our Cottages guide.

Combining with Coast

Brighton

City and Downs: Urban beaches plus downland walking. Good combination.

Dog-Friendly Brighton:

• Beach (seasonal restrictions on some sections)
• Devil's Dyke nearby
• Good pubs
• Easy access to Downs

Eastbourne

Classic Resort:

• Seven Sisters access
• Beachy Head
• Traditional seaside
• Promenade walks

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the South Downs dog-friendly?

Very. Excellent walking, good off-lead areas (away from livestock), welcoming pubs, accessible terrain.

Can I walk the South Downs Way with my dog?

Yes. Full 100 miles or sections. Livestock in places requires leads. Well-supported with pubs and villages.

Are dogs allowed on Seven Sisters?

Yes. Dogs welcome on cliffs and beach. Keep away from cliff edges. On lead near edges.

Is there good public transport access?

Excellent. Regular trains to various points. South Downs accessible without car.

Are the South Downs suitable for older dogs?

Yes, with route choice. Gentler routes available. Some steep sections can be avoided.

Best time to visit?

Year-round. Spring and autumn often ideal. Summer can be busy at popular spots. Winter offers quiet walking.

The Downs Await

The South Downs delivers accessible, quality walking within easy reach of London and the south coast. Rolling chalk hills, dramatic coastal cliffs, and welcoming pubs create perfect dog-friendly conditions.

Luke explores the South Downs with Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly. The pack has discovered that Seven Sisters drama, downland freedom, and country pub stops make the South Downs a rewarding destination.