Malling Down
From Lewes station
- distance
- 5.57 km
- the stile score
- Not counted
- the time isn't given
- Circular
Farm animals on this walk
- Grazing areaSheep, cattle and goats at Malling DownGrazed at times; no dates givenThe Trust grazes the reserve with sheep and cattle, and now and then goats. It asks for dogs on short leads all year.A seasonal grazing notice: Sussex Wildlife Trust, read Thu 5 Nov. Animals may not be here all of this time.Its rough circle reaches this walk's route.
Animals move, and reports may be missing or out of date. No report doesn't mean no animals. The signs on the gate and what you can see on the day come first. Dogs must be on a lead near livestock. If cattle come towards you · Every report near Lewes. Seen animals here? Tell us.
Hello from the sticker at Malling Down. Here's what we know, for you and your dog. More dog-friendly places nearby
Cleo & Bonnie haven't walked this one yet. Everything here is from its publisher, with the date it shows.
By train
Up to two dogs travel free with each passenger. Dogs stay on a lead on the train and at the station, and never on the seats.
National Rail Conditions of Travel, condition 24 (valid from 30 July 2026); National Rail's station pages.
Parking
Lewes station's car park (APCOA, Station Street, BN7 2UP): £4.00 for an hour, £9.40 all day on weekdays, £8.30 all day at weekends, Sundays included, and £2.50 from 5pm, each plus a 15p fee. Pay with the APCOA Connect app (code 1207) or the QR code on the signs. The entrance takes vehicles up to 2 m high. From APCOA, Lewes station, undated, read 2 Oct 2026.
The council has car parks across the town too. We couldn't read their prices, so check the council's own list before you go. From Lewes District Council, 2026 car park charges (PDF), 2026, read 2 Oct 2026.
The stiles
No stile count found; the Sussex Wildlife Trust says only that the reserve has 'fences and gates, and some paths are very steep'.
Livestock
The Sussex Wildlife Trust's Malling Down page (undated) says sheep and cattle, and occasionally goats, graze the reserve, and that dogs must be on short leads all year.
The ground
Chapel Hill climbs steeply; an awkward path through trees that often slopes, making it hard to keep your balance; a road to cross with extreme care; paths by the golf course.
Pubs and cafés on the way
Named by the route's publisher. The ones on our list link to their page, with what we know about dogs there.
Walked it with your dog? Tell us how it was
Mud, animals, how busy: a few taps. The answers (never your words or name) show here for three weeks, to help the next walker.
The route
Start Lewes station
The directions and the map are on the publisher's own site.
Travel log Lewes (Helpful Bear Ltd) · undated
On the Downs
Between 1 March and 31 July, dogs must be on a short lead (2 metres or less) on open access land, and near livestock at any time of year. Since 18 March 2026, a dog that worries livestock on a road or path, not just on farmland, is an offence.
The CROW Act 2000, Schedule 2; the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 as amended, in force 18 March 2026 (legislation.gov.uk).
If something goes wrong out there, an adder bite, a lost dog, a vet at night: help and emergencies.