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Black Down

30 ha
WildlifeBirdsForaging
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome30 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· Free

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Blue Tit, Blackbird +62 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Robin, Blue Tit, Blackbird +62 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Plants — Bilberry, Wood-sorrel, Pedunculate Oak +25 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Insect spotting

Lowland heathland — silver-studded blue and heath fritillary butterflies; Insects — Common Darter, Southern Hawker, Azure Damselfly +23 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Bilberry, Gorse, Holly +193 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Bilberry, Gorse, Holly +193 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

13 signed routes nearby · 8 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
The Serpent TrailWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Shottermill to Marley Common and Cognor Wood walk, Black DownWalking route5.6 km

A circular walk from the ancient millponds to Marley Common. See beech trees, vibrant heath grazed by belted Galloway, heathland birds & insects. Descend into a sweet chestnut coppice & up to a butterfly rich meadow. 1 steep incline & loose surfaces.

Named routeLength 5.6 kmDuration 02:00Round tripLocal walking route
New Lipchis WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Grayswood walk (SCC)Walking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Black Down Temple of the Winds trail, Black DownWalking route3.2 km

Lord Tennyson fell in love with the Black Downs & would stride out through the heather, wrapped in his cloak. Follow in his footsteps on a circular walk through woodland & heath to the Bronze Age Temple of the Winds.

Named routeLength 3.2 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Surrey CyclewayCycling route

Haslemere link

Named routeRegional cycle route
A3 Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef A3Local cycle route
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
King Alfred's WayMountain bike route

King Alfreds Way is 350km (220 miles) off road route designed to be ridden clockwise. It starts & ends in Winchester. It is suitable for gravel or cross-country bikes.

Named routeRegional cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

34 public paths nearby

Public paths
Pen-y-bosbridleway · 271 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 271 mPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

1 / 15

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