About
Marley Common is a mixed broadleaf woodland and open heath on the Sussex border south of Haslemere, one of the National Trust's oldest countryside acquisitions, with its centenary in 2011. The common served as an army training ground in the Second World War, then suffered fires across the heath in the 1950s and 1960s as grazing ceased and scrub took over; belted Galloway cattle now graze it again, and coppiced chestnut woodland opens glades for wildlife, with brimstone butterflies a sign of late spring. It forms part of the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve. Reviewers describe tranquil walking and cycling on sandy paths that stay dry in wet weather, the cattle plodding about, fungi in autumn and views from the Sussex Border Path. Tips from visitors: there are no toilets, the nearest being in Haslemere, and the free car park on Marley Lane is reached from either end of the lane. Dogs are welcome on leads, and the Sussex Border Path and Serpent Trail both pass through the common.
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.
No toilets. Dry paths throughout the year, suitable for powered wheelchairs. Belted Galloway cattle graze the common.
Dogs on leads are welcome.
The Trust's notice for the site asks for no barbecues or open fires because of fire risk, cigarettes to be fully extinguished and no glass discarded; camping and overnight stays are not permitted anywhere on the common.
Photo: Ruined chimney and fireplace of a small building in the woodland on Marley Common. Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ruined_chimney_and_fireplace,_Marley_Common_03.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.
Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are welcome across the common.
Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads can walk the heath and woodland paths, where belted Galloway cattle graze; free access, no ticket needed.
Leads: On leads on the common; cattle graze the heath.
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Walking routes1 route
Serpent Trail and Sussex Border Path through Marley Common(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
WalkDogs, with restrictions3.2 km distance
