Selborne Common
Hampshire
Selborne Common is 275 acres of National Trust chalk grassland, meadow and woodland above the Hampshire village of Selborne, with high off-lead freedom for a dog with good recall. It is forever associated with the 18th century naturalist Gilbert White, whose 'The Natural History of Selborne' remains one of the most published books in the English language. In 1753 White's brother John cut the Zig-Zag Path up the steep face of the hanger so visitors could reach the common more easily, and it survives as the route's one real climb. This 3.2km loop starts from the free car park behind the Selborne Arms, climbs the Zig-Zag to an iron seat with views back over the village, then crosses the common through glades and the old cricket ground at The Green before dropping back by the Pipeline ride. The paths are unsurfaced and can be very muddy.
This is a dog friendly common where dogs are welcome under close control, which gives scope for a dog with decent recall to explore the woodland glades and old grassland away from the path. There is no livestock recorded on the common, so the main hazards are the steep, uneven steps of the Zig-Zag Path, which need care with an older dog, and the mud that builds up after rain. There are no dog waste bins here, so bring bags to carry mess home. Selborne village has cafes, a pub and Gilbert White's house and garden near the car park, though the common itself has no water or shade.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.2 km (2.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- None on the common; cafes, a pub and toilets in Selborne village near the car park.
- Parking
- Free public car park behind the Selborne Arms, High Street, Selborne.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Selborne Common, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Riverside Cottage - Winchester
Sleeps 8 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £2,570 / 7 nights
The Bolt Hole - Hayling Island
Sleeps 8 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,565 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in HampshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Selborne Common dog friendly?
Yes, Selborne Common is a dog friendly National Trust common where dogs are welcome under close control. With 275 acres of chalk grassland, meadow and woodland, there's plenty of room to roam, and the village nearby has cafes and a pub if you fancy a post-walk stop.
Can dogs be off lead at Selborne Common?
Dogs with good recall can enjoy a good degree of off-lead freedom here, particularly across the woodland glades and old grassland away from the main path. There's no livestock recorded on the common, which helps, though you'll want to keep things under control on the steep Zig-Zag Path.
What should I know before visiting Selborne Common with my dog?
The Zig-Zag Path involves a steep, uneven climb that needs care if your dog is older or less agile, and the unsurfaced paths can get very muddy after rain so come prepared. There's no water on the common itself, no shade to speak of, and no dog waste bins, so bring plenty of bags and be ready to carry them home.
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Public Car Park behind the Selborne Arms, High Street, Selborne GU34 3JR
51.0956, -0.9394
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