Photo: ITookSomePhotos, CC BY-SA 4.0Dog-friendly days out in Sussex
Sussex is a good county to own a dog in. Once the summer zoning ends, West Wittering and Camber Sands become wonderful places to let a dog run, and the Downs and Ashdown Forest are open all year.
Every pick here is dog-friendly, and we have flagged the limits. Sheffield Park, for example, asks for no dogs in the garden before 1pm on Saturdays, and Wakehurst keeps them to a designated route.
Livestock graze across much of the Downs and Knepp, so keep a lead handy even on open access land.
Beaches and Downs
Sand, shingle and chalk grassland.
Image: West Wittering EstateWest Wittering Beach
A wide Blue Flag sandy beach at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, with the sand spit of East Head at one end and plenty of room to spread out. Out of season it is one of the best dog-walking beaches on the south coast.
Why it's here: Dogs are welcome all year except on the main swimming beach from May to 14 September, and out of season it is one of the best dog-walking beaches on the south coast.
Image: Visit 1066 Country (Hastings Borough Council)Camber Sands
More than two miles of sandy beach near Rye. Winter is the time for long dog walks and kite flying, with the summer crowds long gone.
Why it's here: Dog zones only apply from 1 May to 30 September, so winter is the time for long walks across more than two miles of sand.
Image: National TrustBirling Gap and the Seven Sisters
Birling Gap is where the South Downs meet the sea at the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, one of the longest undeveloped stretches of the south coast. Walk the clifftop downland, or take the steps down to the shingle beach for rock pools and fossil hunting. The National Trust café, shop and visitor centre sit on the cliff top.
Why it's here: Dogs on leads are allowed on the beach and in the National Trust café and shop. The 50 steps to the beach can close at short notice.
Image: Seven Sisters Country ParkSeven Sisters Country Park
The classic view of the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs starts here, where the Cuckmere river meanders down to the sea. A level trail runs about 2km to the shingle beach at Cuckmere Haven, so it works for pushchairs and less confident walkers too.
Why it's here: The level trail to Cuckmere Haven suits older dogs too. Keep them under close control and on leads where signs ask.
Image: National TrustDevil's Dyke
The longest, deepest and widest dry valley in Britain, cut into the South Downs just north of Brighton. Walk the Iron Age ramparts for the view Constable called the grandest in the world, then drop into the valley itself.
Why it's here: Open access countryside on the South Downs, with Iron Age ramparts and huge views. Keep dogs on a lead near livestock.
Forests, estates and wild places
Longer walks with a café near the car park.
Image: Ashdown ForestAshdown Forest
Open heathland and woodland that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood in the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. Big skies, long views and miles of paths make it a favourite for dog walks and family rambles, with Poohsticks Bridge an easy target for younger children.
Why it's here: Miles of paths from dozens of car parks. Keep dogs on paths from 1 March to 31 August for ground-nesting birds.
Image: Knepp WildlandKnepp Wildland
A pioneering rewilding project, where free-roaming herds, white storks and recovering wildlife have replaced intensive farming. Public footpaths, tree platforms and a lakeside hide let you explore for free, and the Wilding Kitchen is open all year.
Why it's here: Dogs are welcome on the 16 miles of footpaths under effective control, though never on safaris.
Image: National TrustPetworth House and Park
A grand 17th-century house holding one of the National Trust's finest art collections, including Turner, Van Dyck and Gainsborough. Outside, a 700-acre deer park by 'Capability' Brown gives big South Downs views and room for a long walk.
Why it's here: A 700-acre deer park where dogs are welcome under close control, and dogs on short leads are allowed in the Pleasure Garden.
Image: National TrustSheffield Park and Garden
A Grade I listed landscape garden built around five lakes linked by cascades, shaped by 'Capability' Brown and Humphry Repton. The wider parkland and East Park suit a longer walk with the dog.
Why it's here: Dogs on a short fixed lead are allowed in the garden except on Saturday mornings before 1pm, and the parkland suits a longer walk.
Image: Wakehurst (RBG Kew)Wakehurst
Kew's wild botanic garden in the High Weald, home to the Millennium Seed Bank and big swathes of woodland, wetland and meadow. It suits a long family walk, and children's tickets are cheap.
Why it's here: Dogs on a short lead are welcome on the designated dog-friendly route through Kew's wild botanic garden.
Days out where the dog comes too
History, steep railways and pumpkins, with company.
Image: National TrustBodiam Castle
A moated 14th-century castle in the Rother valley that looks exactly like a child's drawing of a castle. Inside the walls it is an open ruin, so you can climb the towers and explore the courtyard, then walk the grounds and parkland around the moat.
Why it's here: Dogs on short leads are welcome in the grounds and the tea-rooms, though not inside the castle or shop.
Image: Chichester CathedralChichester Cathedral
A 900-year-old cathedral in the centre of Chichester, free to enter by donation and welcoming to dogs. Look out for the John Piper tapestry, and the peregrine falcons that nest on the spire.
Why it's here: Dogs on leads are welcome during visiting hours at this 900-year-old cathedral.
Image: Visit 1066 Country (Hastings Borough Council)East Hill Cliff Railway, Hastings
A short, steep cliff railway climbing from Hastings Old Town to the clifftop at East Hill. At the top, Hastings Country Park opens out with sweeping coastal views, and at the bottom you are beside the beach-launched fishing fleet.
Why it's here: Well-behaved dogs can ride the cliff railway up to Hastings Country Park. From November it runs at weekends only.
Image: Weald & Downland Living MuseumWeald and Downland Living Museum
More than 50 rescued historic buildings tell the story of 1,000 years of rural life in the South Downs. Step inside historic homes, watch traditional craftspeople at work and meet the animals, with dogs on short leads welcome too.
Why it's here: Dogs on short leads are welcome around more than 50 rescued historic buildings.
Image: Tulleys FarmTulleys Pumpkin Festival
Tulleys bills its daytime festival as Europe's largest, with 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds to pick from by wheelbarrow. New for 2026 is the Pumpkin Valley, an area of giant pumpkin sculptures and ponds.
Why it's here: Dogs are welcome at the daytime pumpkin festival, open every day until 1 November.
Questions people ask
When can dogs go on Camber Sands?
Dogs are banned from zoned areas between 1 May and 30 September, so the zoning does not apply from October to April.
Are dogs allowed at Sheffield Park?
Yes, on a short fixed lead in the garden, except on Saturday mornings before 1pm. The wider parkland suits longer dog walks.
Which Sussex attractions do not allow dogs?
Drusillas Park, Fishers Farm Park, WWT Arundel, the Royal Pavilion and Arundel Castle admit assistance dogs only, and Nymans does not allow dogs in the garden.