About
Drovers Estate lies in the folds of the South Downs above Singleton, between Chichester and Midhurst, a working landscape of shady woodland, ancient pasture, flint cottages and barns that shows how traditional management shaped these hills. A sporting estate since its medieval deer park, its disused railway tunnel on the old Chichester to Midhurst line is now a hibernation roost supporting 12 of the UK's 17 bat species. Hedgerows and shaws link oak and beech woods with hazel coppice, and the highest point, Hat Hill, looks out over Goodwood racecourse, Singleton village and Chichester. Look for early purple orchids in spring and butcher's broom, an evergreen of very ancient woodland, under the beeches. Tips: there are no toilets, the paths can be muddy, and parking in Singleton is very limited, so the Trust suggests the Stagecoach 60 bus or cycling in on the Centurion Way. Dogs are welcome on leads, and the 4.75-mile Hat Hill to Levin Down circular walk starts from the Partridge Inn in the village.
Check today’s timesSee all times
- CountrysideDawn to dusk
Opening times may change at short notice.
The National Trust calendar shows the countryside open dawn to dusk every day, with no closed days listed to 31 December 2026.
A Trust notice said that until the end of September 2026 all rights of way except Hat Hill were closed for works around the Centurion Way; the notice was still displayed on 15 October 2026, so check the Trust page before relying on the full circular walk.
No toilets. Footpaths are unsurfaced, can be muddy and may not be suitable for wheelchairs; the circular walk has many stiles. Livestock are often in the fields.
Dogs on leads are welcome.
Photo: Looking down Hat Hill, the estate's highest point, across farmland towards Halnaker. Dave Spicer, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Looking_down_Hat_Hill_to_Halnaker_Park_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2543388.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.
Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are welcome on the estate's footpaths.
Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs can walk the estate's rights of way and the Hat Hill to Levin Down circular, under close control and on leads near livestock, which is often in the fields; free access, no ticket needed.
Leads: On leads on the estate and near livestock; close control on the trail.
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Walking routes1 route
Hat Hill to Levin Down walk(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
WalkmoderateDogs, with restrictions7.6 km distance
