Best Dog Walking Spots Around Lodsworth and Surrounds 🐾
By Downward Dogz — your local dog walker in West Sussex
Every Walk is a New Journey!
If you’re lucky enough to live in or around Lodsworth or Petworth, you’ll know how spoiled we are for beautiful countryside. From rolling hills to peaceful woodland trails, there’s no shortage of dog friendly walks where tails can wag freely and noses can explore.
As a local dog walker in West Sussex, I spend my days discovering (and re-discovering!) the very best routes to keep both pups and people happy. Here are a few of my favourite walks around Lodsworth that are perfect for adventure, enrichment, and connection.
01
Lodsworth Loop 🌿
Right on our doorstep, the Lodsworth Loop is a local favourite — a lovely mix of quiet lanes, fields, and a stretch along the stream, with plenty to sniff along the way. It’s a moderate-to-hard walk, so a good option for dogs who like a proper stretch of the legs.
Parking: Free parking near the Hollist Arms or the church car park on Church Lane.
Top Tip: There’s a river and stream along the route for a paddle, plus a bin at the village green.
02
Cowdray Park & the River 🌳
A short drive from Lodsworth, Cowdray Park is a beautiful spot with the ruins of Cowdray Castle, open parkland, and shallow river access dogs love to splash in. It’s an easy-to-moderate walk, great for most dogs and energy levels.
Parking: Large free car park opposite the farm shop in Midhurst, about a 10 minute drive.
Top Tip: There’s a steeper, muddier section near St Anne’s Hill that’s easy to skip if you’d rather keep things flat. Several bins along the route.
03
Woolbeding Common 🐾
Managed by the National Trust, Woolbeding Common is a peaceful spot for a moderate walk through heath and woodland, and dogs often spot deer here (so a good recall — or a lead — comes in handy).
Parking: Free car park at the end of Scotland Lane off the A286, room for 8–10 cars, about 12 minutes from Lodsworth.
Note: There’s no water source on the route, so bring plenty for your dog, and there’s just one bin at the car park.
04
Petworth Park 🦌
One of our favourites for a proper outing, Petworth Park is a National Trust deer park with a full 6.3km loop (or shorten it to about 55 minutes), taking in two ponds and lovely parkland views.
Parking: £3 pay-and-display National Trust car park about a mile from the town centre (free for NT members), roughly 7 minutes from Lodsworth.
Safety Note: The deer here mean dogs need to stay under close control — on lead in the Pleasure Garden — but there are several bins dotted around the park.
05
Ebernoe Common 🌲
Looked after by the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Ebernoe Common is a lovely moderate walk through ancient woodland, past a lake and ponds and along a stream — a real favourite for dogs who love exploring.
Parking: Large free car park at Holy Trinity Church, Ebernoe, about 12 minutes from Lodsworth.
Note: There are no bins on site, so please carry your dog’s mess out with you.
🌤️ A Few Local Walking Tips
Always carry water and biodegradable poo bags ♻️
Some spots (like Ebernoe Common) have no bins on site, so be ready to carry mess out
Watch out for deer at Woolbeding Common and Petworth Park — keep dogs under close control
Check weather conditions — commons and parkland can be exposed and muddy underfoot
🐕 Need Secure Off-Lead Space?
If your dog needs a bit more space to properly run off-lead — whether they’re still working on recall, reactive, or just love a good sprint — Life off the Lead in Fernhurst is a brilliant option. It’s a private, secure field inside 6ft deer fencing with privacy screening, so you get exclusive use for your booking (25 or 50 minute sessions), plus extras like a dog wash, seating, floodlighting, and agility bits like a tunnel, logs, a scurry, a sand pit, and weave poles. First-time visitors need a quick induction booked at least 24 hours ahead, and the on-site Barn Café is a nice bonus for afterwards.
🐶 Looking for a Dog Walker in Lodsworth or Petworth?
At Downward Dogz, I offer fun, safe, and enriching walks for dogs of all ages and personalities — from bouncy puppies to gentle seniors. Whether you’re at work, on holiday, or just need an extra pair of hands, your dog will enjoy adventures, play, and plenty of love.
📍 Serving Lodsworth, Petworth, Midhurst, and surrounds
🌐 www.downwarddogz.co.uk