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Lavington Common
A rare pocket of open heath amongst plantation woodland
South Downs West Estate Office, Linch Road, Woolbeding, West Sussex, GU29 OQB
No toilets. Dogs on leads welcome. Narrow sand paths can become flooded during wet weather and be unsuitable for wheelchairs.
By road
From A285 Chichester to Petworth road take westward turning signposted Graffham. Follow road for 1 mile to free Lavington Common car park (NT) on right-hand side
Parking: Free
Sat Nav: For GPS users Easting 494884, Northing 118723
On foot
Lavington Common lies on The Serpent Trail, connecting heathlands between Haslemere and Petersfield
By train
Chichester Railway Station 12 miles away: then see 'By Bus' for service (must be booked in advance)
By bus
Pre-book on 01903 264776, at least 15 minutes before departure, the service between Petworth and Chichester, asking the driver to let you alight at the route 412 stop for Lavington Common.
By bicycle
You can cycle from Petworth using A285 and country lanes
South Downs West Estate Office, Linch Road, Woolbeding, West Sussex, GU29 OQB
Highlights
Landscape
A rare pocket of open heath amongst plantation woodland. Heathers provide shelter and breeding grounds for adders and sand lizards, and the Green Tiger Beetle.
Places to stay
Emley Farmhouse
A charming country retreat on the edges of the South Downs.
About Lavington Common
Lavington Common is a rare survivor of an open landscape that once stretched across the Weald. Its sandy soil leads up to the chalk escarpment on the South Downs, creating this renowned lowland heath, rich in lichens and bryophytes (mosses and liverworts).
Heathers flourish here providing shelter and breeding grounds for reptiles such as adders and sand lizards, and heathland insects such as the Green Tiger Beetle.