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Woolbeding Countryside
Experience a landscape shaped by traditional rural life
Woolbeding Common, Older Hill Lane, Redford, West Sussex, GU29 0QE
No toilets. Dogs on leads welcome. Paths can become muddy and hard to navigate in wet weather and may not be suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Some steep gradients.
By road
Please note that camping and overnight stays are not permitted in any of our car parks. The perimeter of Woolbeding estate is 1 mile west of Midhurst. There are several small free car parks from where you can access the countryside. Rother Walk / Woolbeding Parkland: From Midhurst take the A272 towards Petersfield. After the Half Moon pub take the right turn signposted Woolbeding. The Rother Walk/Woolbeding Parkland car park is in the first field immediately on the right (approx. 8 cars). Older Hill for Woolbeding Common: Go past Woolbeding Gardens and continue to Linch Road (heading towards Redford village from the Midhurst direction). Just after a sharp right bend in the road, turn right up Older Hill Lane, a narrow single track road. Continue up the hill until you reach the small car park (space for approx. 12 cars). Alternatively, stay on Linch Road for another quarter of a mile; there is a small car park on the left (approx. 8 cars).
Sat Nav: Rother Walk / Woolbeding Parkland car park: Nearest post code GU29 9RL what3words: ///pizzas.reassured.before Grid Ref SU874218. Older Hill car park: Nearest post code GU29 0QB what3words: ///stores.flickers.asked Grid Ref SU869260. Linch Road car park: Nearest post code: GU29 0QD what3words: ///ownership.radar.printers Grid Ref SU864253.
On foot
From Midhurst Bus Station, cross to north side of A286/North Street, go downhill past Rother College towards the weir before North Bridge, follow the signs for the River Rother Walk: this takes you into Woolbeding Parkland, with further signposted routes into the Estate. Woolbeding Common is on the Serpent Trail, connecting local heathlands.
By train
Haslemere Station, 8 miles away. From there, take Stagecoach bus 70 or 71 towards Midhurst bus station. From Midhurst take Stagecoach 92 towards Petersfield, alight Half Moon pub, 1 mile from Midhurst. From here, follow public footpaths down to the Parkland and River Rother.
By bus
From Midhurst bus station take Stagecoach 92 towards Petersfield, alight Half Moon pub, 1 mile from Midhurst. From here, follow public footpaths down to the Parkland and River Rother.
By bicycle
From Chichester take Centurion Way to West Dean. Midhurst is a further 6 miles north on A286. Or use an OS map (Explorer 133) to work out the best route using the quiet back lanes from surrounding areas.
Woolbeding Common, Older Hill Lane, Redford, West Sussex, GU29 0QE
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting the South Downs with your dog
Find out about bringing your dog to the South Downs. Explore the beautiful landscape together, from cliff-tops and beaches to ancient downland.
Highlights
Woolbeding Common
This is a lowland heath supporting rare birds such as woodlark and nightjar. Reptiles thrive here among heather and gorse together with specialist insects such as long-horned beetles.
River Rother
To the south take in glorious views from the parkland and wander along the River Rother with its steep-sided woods and pasture.
Conservation grazing
Grazing by traditional hardy animals maintains diverse, high-quality habitats. Traditional cattle breeds target graze the heath and in the parkland. Their pasture lies beside the snaking loops of the River Rother shaded by magnificent oaks.
A medieval parish
This is an example of a medieval strip parish, divided by earth banks secured with stone-faced walls, marking boundaries between common and agricultural land.
Outdoor activities
Activity
Mountain biking on the Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire borders
Find out where you can go mountain biking at Black Down, Woolbeding Common, Ludshott Common and Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punch Bowl, while protecting these habitats.
Top trails
Trail
Woolbeding, River Rother and Midhurst walk
Enjoy this easy walk along the River Rother starting and returning to Midhurst's charming main street.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Woolbeding Countryside
Woolbeding Estate in West Sussex is quietly tucked away in the tranquil Rother Valley. With its wide horizons and intimate secluded places, this huge estate has an extraordinary blend of habitats. It is a landscape shaped by traditional rural life, tucked away in the tranquil Rother Valley.
To the north are the wild and open greensand hills and commons. To the south take in glorious views from the parkland and wander along the River Rother with its steep-sided woods and pasture. It is an example of a mediaeval strip parish, divided by earth banks secured with stone-faced walls, marking boundaries between common and agricultural land.
Woolbeding Common is a lowland heath supporting rare birds such as woodlark and nightjar. Reptiles thrive here among heather and gorse together with specialist insects such as long-horned beetles.
Grazing by traditional hardy breeds maintains diverse, high-quality habitats. Belted Galloway cows target graze the heath, and in the parkland browse alongside Sussex cows and Herdwick sheep. Their pasture lies beside the snaking loops of the River Rother shaded by magnificent oaks.
Our work
Project
Project
Woolbeding Reimagined
Learn about this long-term project to restore wildlife habitats, tackle climate issues and provide access to nature for as many people as possible.
Article
Our work in the Woolbeding countryside
Allowing ancient breeds of cows and sheep to graze the countryside at Woolbeding helps conservation efforts by encouraging biodiversity and supporting a wide range of wildlife.