Glade
← Back🌲 Conifer forest

Dawes Highfield Copse

✦ Ancient woodland148 ha

📷 Dave Spicer · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome148 ha

Getting here

51.02566, -0.71390

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

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
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking nearby — easy to reach by car

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
  • 🌳Large woodland — room to roam
Parking· Free

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Blue Tit +64 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Blue Tit +64 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Waved Silk-moss, Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Tutsan +86 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Plants — Sweet Chestnut, Hazel, Pedunculate Oak +7 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White +30 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White +30 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

9 signed routes nearby · 36 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Sussex Diamond WayWalking route97 km
Named routeLength 97 kmRegional walking route
New Lipchis WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Sussex Border PathWalking route220 km
Named routeLength 220 kmRegional walking route
Stargazing Circular Walk at Black DownWalking route2.4 km

At the highest point in Surrey, away from light pollution, Black Down is ideal for stargazing. On a clear night, there are ~4,000 stars visible, including the Milky Way. This leisurely walk offers viewpoints & a chance to encounter night-time wildlife.

Named routeLength 2.4 kmDuration 00:30Round tripLocal walking route
Woolbeding, River Rother and Midhurst Walk, South Downs WestWalking route4.8 km

Woolbeding Estate is a countryside gem, near Midhurst. Take in the beauty of the parkland. Follow the River Rother, edged with ancient trees. Pass a poplar plantation & hear the sounds of the weir before returning to the main street for its cafe's & pubs.

Named routeLength 4.8 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

4 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
National Cycle Route 228 Pulborough to Petersfield (proposed)Cycling route
Named routeRef 228National Cycle Network
Bepton to MidhurstCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Stedham to MidhurstCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
National Cycle Route 288 Cocking to Midhurst (Proposed)Cycling route
Named routeRef 288National Cycle Network
🐴

Horse riding

11 public paths nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Bridleway to Bexleyhill in Verdley Wood

📷 Dave Spicer · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bridleway to Bexleyhill in Verdley Wood

1 / 15

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦Cowdray: a fortified medieval house and part of its landscaped groundsHistoric site4.4 km→✦COWDRAY HOUSEHistoric site3.7 km→🌱The Walled GardenUrban park4.5 km→✦KING EDWARD VII HOSPITALHistoric site2.5 km→🌱Fernhurst GreenUrban park2.6 km→✦BLACKDOWN PARKHistoric site3 km→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: f01bb506-26b3-4498-b5e3-ef994e177ee9