Hindhead Common and the Devil's Punch Bowl
Surrey
Dog friendly with a spectacular setting, this Hindhead Commons circular traces the rim of the Devil's Punch Bowl and, on the longer version, drops down into the wooded bowl itself. The reintroduced heathland and the sweep of the A3 tunnel cover make this a walk with real visual drama, especially when the heather is in flower in late summer.
Dogs must be kept on lead throughout the year to protect ground-nesting birds (March to July especially) and grazing livestock, and walkers should stick to the marked paths for the same reason. Underfoot is mostly firm heath track with some sandy pulls out of the bowl. Parking is at the National Trust pay-and-display car park (£2 for up to an hour, £9 all day; NT members free) via JustPark or cash, with the cafe and toilets on site.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.3 km (3.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Devil's Punch Bowl cafe, toilets and 14 accessible parking spaces on site.
- Parking
- National Trust pay-and-display car park GU26 6AB (£2 to £9, members free); no phone signal, so set up JustPark in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hindhead Common and the Devil's Punch Bowl dog friendly?
Yes, Hindhead Common and the Devil's Punch Bowl is a great choice for dogs, earning a solid 8/10 on our dog-friendly rating. It's a National Trust site with a spectacular circular walk around the rim and down into the wooded bowl itself, and there's a cafe and toilets on site for a post-walk refresh.
Can dogs be off lead at Hindhead Common and the Devil's Punch Bowl?
Unfortunately not — dogs must be kept on lead throughout the year to protect ground-nesting birds and grazing livestock. This is especially important between March and July during nesting season, and walkers are also asked to stick to the marked paths for the same reason.
What should I know before visiting Hindhead Common and the Devil's Punch Bowl with my dog?
Pack a lead, as it's required for the entire walk, and keep to the marked paths to protect the heathland wildlife. Parking is at the National Trust pay-and-display car park (GU26 6AB), costing between £2 and £9 depending on how long you stay — NT members park free. Worth noting: there's no phone signal at the car park, so download the JustPark app and set up your account before you leave home.
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