Route 6: Malling Down and The Coombe
- distance
- 4.5 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Animals move, and reports may be missing or out of date.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 Route 6: Malling Down and The Coombe. 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.
Parking
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 Tourist Information Centre has moved for now to 6 High Street, BN7 2AD. The walk still starts at 187 High Street, by the Market Tower. From Visit Lewes, undated, read 2 Oct 2026.
The stiles
The map's route text mentions gates but no stiles, and gives no count.
Livestock
The leaflet says The Coombe is grazed by a variety of sheep breeds. Separately, 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
Town streets to Mill Road, then downland paths; the A26 is crossed at traffic lights; steps up a former chalk pit; a track down through woodland on the far side of The Coombe; a steep path down to Chapel Hill. Roadside parking at the end of Mill Road.
For dogs
The route leaflet gives no rules for dogs.
Pubs and cafés on the way
- Crown InnMarket Street, Lewes · at the start
- The Old Needlemakers (cafe)opposite the Market Tower, Lewes · at the start
- Elephant & CastleLewes, by Abinger Place · at the startChecked
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 Tourist Information Centre, 187 High Street
The directions and the map are on the publisher's own site.
Lewes Town Partnership, 'Lewes Walks: Town and Downs' map (town text Debby Matthews, downs text Tim Locke) · 2013 (copyright LTP 2013; artwork dated 18 October 2013)
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.