About
Lavington Common is a rare survivor of the open landscape that once stretched across the Weald, a pocket of heath among plantation woodland north of the South Downs. Its sandy soil leads up towards the chalk escarpment, and the National Trust describes it as a renowned lowland heath, rich in lichens and in mosses and liverworts. Heathers flourish across the open ground, giving shelter and breeding grounds to reptiles such as adders and sand lizards and to heathland insects including the green tiger beetle, and cattle graze the common in winter. Reviewers find plenty of room to roam among the heather and trees, with enough ground to fill a couple of hours. The free National Trust car park is on Duncton Common Road. There are no toilets, and the narrow sandy paths can flood in wet weather, when they are unsuitable for wheelchairs. Camping and overnight stays are not permitted anywhere on the common. Dogs are welcome on leads.
Check today’s timesSee all times
- CountrysideDawn to dusk
Opening times may change at short notice.
The common is open from dawn to dusk.
No barbecues or open fires; camping and overnight stays are not permitted anywhere on Lavington Common.
There are no toilets. Narrow sand paths can flood in wet weather and be unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Lavington Common lies on the Serpent Trail, a long-distance path linking heathlands between Haslemere and Petersfield.
The Petworth to Chichester bus must be booked in advance; ask for the Lavington Common stop.
Photo: Flowering heather on Lavington Common, with the South Downs escarpment beyond. Dave Spicer, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lavington_Common_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2539773.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 are welcome on leads.
Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are welcome on the common.
Leads: Dogs on leads.
PricingFreeFree for all visitors
Free entry for everyone
Entry
Free for everyone
Pricing details
No admission charge is published for this open heath; free for everyone.
ParkingFree parkingFree for all visitors
No charge for anyone.
Parking details
The free National Trust car park is on Duncton Common Road (GU28 0QL; what3words expensive.escape.glider; grid reference SU948187). From the A285 take the westward turning signposted Graffham and follow the road for a mile; from the A272 turn at the Halfway Bridge Inn and go through Selham.
Camping and overnight stays are not permitted in the car park.
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