Can I walk on Harting Downs?
Known as Harting Down to the National Trust. 207 hectares of chalk downland on the South Downs Way.
Yes, on foot,
unless a closure or restriction is in place.
Natural England's maps show 99% of the 207 hectares of Harting Downs as registered common land where the public have a right of access under the National Trust Acts. That makes it section 15 land: access comes from that law, not the right to roam.
Section 15 map version 9, 29 Nov 2024. Data checked 23 Oct 2026.
Check with the National Trust before you goAccess here comes from the National Trust Acts, so Natural England's closure map does not cover it.
- Common land with public access
- Neighbouring common land
Harting parish, Chichester district, West Sussex.
Dogs
The right to roam's dog rule (a short lead from 1 March to 31 July) does not apply on the section 15 land (99% of it) by law, because access comes from the National Trust Acts. Byelaws can set their own dog rules, so follow signs on site.
On the rest (1%), which is right-to-roam land, keep dogs on a lead no longer than 2 metres from 1 March to 31 July, and near livestock at any time.
The Countryside Code asks you to keep dogs under effective control, on a lead or in sight, and away from wildlife, livestock and horses.
The National Trust welcomes dogs on leads here.
Sheep graze here.
Other local or seasonal restrictions can apply. Notes on dogs and grazing from National Trust: Harting Down.
What your access covers
Walking and other open-air recreation on foot, under the National Trust Acts.
Whether cycling, horse riding, camping or fires are allowed depends on that law and any byelaws, not on the right to roam. Check signs on site or ask the landowner.
Some land inside can stay private, such as buildings and gardens.
What the walk is like
- Views
- North across the Weald and south to the Isle of Wight.
- Look out for
- An Iron Age hill fort and cross-ridge dykes. Beacon Hill, the highest point, has the remains of a Napoleonic war telegraph station.
- Wildlife
- Chalk grassland with pyramidal orchids and wild herbs, skylarks overhead and juniper in the scrub.
- Underfoot
- Steep in places, with unsurfaced paths and uneven ground. It may not suit wheelchairs.
Getting there
- Car
- National Trust car park off the B2141. Pay with the JustPark app (code 80586); members park free.
- Bus and train
- Stagecoach bus 54 runs between Petersfield and Chichester. Petersfield station is 5 miles away.
- Toilets
- None on site. The nearest are in South Harting, next to the White Hart pub.
Common land nearby
Also nearby: North Marden Down (next to it, 133 ha), Pad's Wood (1.6 km, 2.2 ha).
Straight-line distance between nearest edges. All common land in Harting
Questions
Can I walk on Harting Downs?
Yes, on foot, unless a closure or restriction is in place. Natural England's maps show 99% of the 207 hectares of Harting Downs as registered common land where the public have a right of access under the National Trust Acts. That makes it section 15 land: access comes from that law, not the right to roam.
Can I take my dog on Harting Downs?
Yes. The right to roam's dog rule (a short lead from 1 March to 31 July) does not apply on the section 15 land (99% of it) by law, because access comes from the National Trust Acts. Byelaws can set their own dog rules, so follow signs on site. On the rest (1%), which is right-to-roam land, keep dogs on a lead no longer than 2 metres from 1 March to 31 July, and near livestock at any time. The Countryside Code asks you to keep dogs under effective control, on a lead or in sight, and away from wildlife, livestock and horses. The National Trust welcomes dogs on leads here. Sheep graze here.
Can I cycle or ride a horse on Harting Downs?
That depends on the National Trust Acts and any byelaws, not the right to roam. A bridleway or byway across it, or the landowner's permission, may allow it.
Can I camp on Harting Downs?
Only if the National Trust Acts, byelaws or the landowner allow it. Ask the landowner before you camp or light a fire.
Is there parking at Harting Down?
National Trust car park off the B2141. Pay with the JustPark app (code 80586); members park free.
Spotted something wrong?
If this page doesn't match what you found on the ground, or you walk here often and know something it's missing, email hello@caniwalkhere.co.uk. Corrections are checked against the source and fixed; notes about the walk are credited if you'd like.
This is not the legal register of common land, which West Sussex County Council holds, and it is not legal advice. The landowner and byelaws can restrict access, so check signs before you go. Register unit CL45, West Sussex. Data changed 23 Oct 2026, checked 23 Oct 2026.