Abbots Wood
East Sussex
Abbot's Wood is a Forestry England woodland near Arlington, between Polegate and Hailsham, with a medieval lake at its heart that monks from nearby Michelham Priory are thought to have dug to farm fish. The Abbot's Amble trail, marked with yellow waymarks and wide enough for dogs off the lead, is a 3km loop mainly on forest roads and gravel tracks that circles the lake and passes through oak woodland and Douglas fir plantation, with a shorter Oak Walk giving a taste of the bluebells that carpet the ground each spring. The going is easy and largely flat, though the gravel tracks can be uneven and muddy in wet weather, and the wood is also known for its dormice and for supporting nearly thirty species of butterfly, including the rare pearl-bordered fritillary.
This dog friendly wood is an easy, low-key option with no livestock to worry about, so a dog with decent recall can be off lead on the forest roads and quieter paths. The lake gives a good spot for a dog to drink or paddle at the edge, and the woodland floor carries plenty of scent, especially in spring when the bluebells are out. There is a play area, picnic tables and barbecue spots near the car park, which makes this a good choice for a family visit alongside the dog walk, and accessible toilets are available. Parking is pay and display, with disabled bays close to the entrance.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.0 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 55 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Lake
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Play area, picnic tables and barbecue spots near the car park; accessible toilets with a disabled toilet in the block; no cafe on site.
- Parking
- Pay and display Forestry England car park off Arlington Road, with disabled parking bays.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Abbots Wood, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abbots Wood dog friendly?
Abbots Wood is a great choice for a day out with your dog, earning a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. There's no livestock to worry about, a medieval lake where dogs can drink or paddle at the edge, and a woodland floor full of interesting scents — particularly in spring when the bluebells are out. The facilities near the car park, including picnic tables and a play area, make it just as appealing for the rest of the family too.
Can dogs be off lead at Abbots Wood?
Yes — dogs with decent recall can enjoy being off lead on the forest roads and quieter paths throughout the wood. The main Abbot's Amble trail is wide enough to give dogs plenty of room to roam, and the absence of livestock means there's no pressure to keep them on the lead. Just be aware that the gravel tracks can be uneven and muddy in wet weather.
What should I know before visiting Abbots Wood with my dog?
The Abbot's Amble trail is a 3km loop on forest roads and gravel tracks, so it's easy going and largely flat — suitable for most dogs. Parking is pay and display at the Forestry England car park off Arlington Road, and there are no cafes on site, so it's worth bringing your own food and water. The tracks can get muddy after rain, so paws (and boots) may need a clean on the way home.
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