8 places to stay · South Downs
Dog-friendly cottages in the South Downs
Dog-friendly cottages, barns and lodges across the South Downs National Park, from Lewes and Alfriston to Steyning, Arundel, Midhurst and Petworth, with what to check before you book.
Photo: Brian Gillman (cropped), CC BY 3.0
The South Downs is made for a weekend away with a dog: walk the ridge all day, then retreat to a cottage with a wood-burner and nobody minding the muddy paws. This guide gathers dog-friendly places to stay across the national park, from the eastern Downs near Lewes to the wooded western Downs around Midhurst and Petworth.
Some are individual cottages with clear dog rules; others are letting agencies with a choice of dog-friendly properties in that town. Rules on how many dogs, fees and gardens vary a lot, so read each listing carefully before you book.
What to check before you book
- How many dogs? Many cottages take one dog only; some take two, with a third on request.
- Is there a pet fee? Charges are usually per dog, per stay or per week.
- Is the garden fully enclosed? "Garden" doesn't always mean dog-proof; ask if your dog is an escape artist.
- Are there house rules? Some cottages keep dogs downstairs and off the furniture.
- What's on the doorstep? Sheep and cattle graze much of the Downs, so check for livestock on the walks from the door.
Lewes and the eastern Downs
Close to Brighton, with the Ouse valley, the Cuckmere and the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters all within reach.
- Selected properties
Classic Cottages
A choice of cottages in and around Lewes, including pet-friendly Cliffe Cottage right in the town centre.
Not every cottage takes dogs; check the listing.
- Selected properties
Quebec Barn
A barn conversion near Alfriston and West Dean with its own paddock for dog walks, close to the Cuckmere valley. One dog.
One dog.
Steyning and the Adur valley
A friendly market town at the foot of the Downs, with the South Downs Way on the ridge above.
- Selected properties
Lodge With A View
A peaceful one-bedroom lodge for up to four on the edge of Steyning, a 20-minute walk from the town, with a small garden. One dog.
One dog; a pet charge applies.
- Selected properties
The Horseshoe Annex
A two-bedroom annex for up to four, under half a mile from Steyning. Pet-friendly, but confirm how many dogs when you book.
Pet-friendly; the listing gives different limits, so confirm how many dogs when booking.
More in Steyning
Arundel
A castle town on the River Arun, with Arundel Park and the riverside on the doorstep.
- Selected properties
Sykes Cottages
A choice of cottages, lodges and pods in and around Arundel, several of them dog-friendly; filter by pets when you search.
Not every cottage takes dogs; check the listing.
More in Arundel
Midhurst and Petworth: the western Downs
The wooded, quieter end of the national park, around two historic market towns.
- Selected properties
Apsley Cottage
A three-bedroom cottage near Midhurst with a hot tub, a wood-burner and walks straight from the door.
Dogs welcome.
- Selected properties
Costers Lodge
A lodge on the Cowdray Estate near Midhurst that takes two dogs, with a third on request.
Two dogs, a third on request.
- Selected properties
Westwood
A two-bedroom cottage in the centre of Petworth, a short stroll from the town's antique shops and Petworth Park. One dog.
One dog; confirm with the owner before booking.
Make a walk of it
- Amberley Brooks, Greatham and Rackham (5.9 miles, ends at The Black Horse)
- Fulking and the Devil's Dyke escarpment (2 miles, ends at The Shepherd & Dog)
- Ditchling Beacon from Ditchling village (5 miles, ends at The Bull)
See every dog-friendly pub, cottage and walk in our guide to the dog-friendly South Downs.
The weekend walk
A walk, a pub and a place to stay
One dog-friendly walk with a fireside pub at the end, straight to your inbox, plus new places as we find them.