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Marley Common
Coconut-scents, purple heather and intimate woodland walks
South Downs West Estate Yard, Linch Road, Woolbeding, West Sussex, GU29 0QB
No toilets. Nearest Public toilets with disabled access, RADAR key access, and baby-changing facilities in Waitrose car park, Haslemere. Dogs on leads welcome. Dry paths throughout the year. Suitable for powered wheelchairs.
By road
Marley Common 8 miles south of Farnham. From A3 take A287 towards Shottermill. From the south take A286 (Haslemere Road) to Kingsley Green. Main car park (GU27 3PU) can be accessed from both ends of Marley Lane, from A286 or from Camelsdale at Arnolds Garage (B2131) next to roundabout
Sat Nav: Car park (free): Easting 488689, Northing 131185
On foot
Sussex Border Path and Serpent Trail both pass through Marley. Haslemere train station is 2 miles from Marley
By train
Haslemere train station is 2 miles away from Marley Common and has excellent connectivity with London and Portsmouth. See Live Arrival/Departure Board or call 0845 600 0650 for details
By bus
Regular Stagecoach South services include# 18 to Aldershot, and # 70/71 to Guildford and Midhurst
By bicycle
NCN Surrey Cycle Way to Haslemere railway station. Marley is ideally situated for cycling and has a number of even, sandy bridleways with some challenging terrain
South Downs West Estate Yard, Linch Road, Woolbeding, West Sussex, GU29 0QB
Planning your visit
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Highlights
Common
Mixed broadleaf woodland and open heath with coconut-scents, purple heather and intimate woodland walks.
Places to stay
Woodlands Cottage
A former game keeper’s house, this classically-styled cottage is surrounded by woodland.
Emley Farmhouse
A charming country retreat on the edges of the South Downs.
The Morris Apartment
A one-bedroom apartment in trademark Arts and Crafts style, on the second floor of Standen House.
About Marley Common
Marley Common in West Sussex, is a mixed broadleaf woodland and open heath. It's one of our oldest countryside acquisitions, having its centenary in 2011.
The Common has had an interesting past: it was used as an army training ground during the Second World War, and during the 1950s and 1960s it suffered terrible fires which swept across the open heath. This later period was also the time when grazing ceased on Marley and the common soon became overgrown with scrub and trees.
Today, after much work and the introduction of belted Galloway cattle, Marley is returning to its former glory. A chestnut woodland provides us with fuel and fencing material. The wood is valuable as a renewable source, but the true value of coppicing lies in the wildlife that responds to recently cleared glades.
In late spring the subtle greenish-yellow flowers and the vibrant sulphur colour of the Brimstone butterfly, are especially attractive, and a sure sign that spring has well and truly sprung.