St Leonard's Forest and Crabtree
West Sussex
St Leonard's Forest is an ancient High Weald woodland east of Horsham that covers several thousand acres of oak and birch on Wealden sandstone, and it is considerably less visited than Ashdown Forest to the east. The 8.4 km circuit from the Mick Mills car park follows the main forest track south through the core of the woodland, loops around the hammer ponds at Crabtree — former iron industry water features now dense with wildlife — and returns via a quieter bridleway through younger growth.
The hammer ponds are the defining feature: the cold iron tang of the water, the heavy canopy above, and the way the ponds sit in their damp hollows gives the forest a character that is entirely specific to the High Weald clay. Dogs can range off-lead on the quieter bridleways and the ponds offer water access at several safe entry points. The ground is genuinely muddy from November through March — Wealden clay holds water tenaciously — and boots are essential in the wet season. Deer are present in good numbers.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- None on route; Horsham town centre 8 km west
- Parking
- Mick Mills car park, St Leonard's Forest, RH13 6NF
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Leonard's Forest and Crabtree dog friendly?
St Leonard's Forest is a great choice for a dog walk , an ancient High Weald woodland that's considerably quieter than nearby Ashdown Forest, making it well suited to dogs who prefer a calmer environment. The 8.4 km circuit takes in forest tracks, bridleways, and the hammer ponds at Crabtree, where dogs can access the water at several safe entry points along the way.
Can dogs be off lead at St Leonard's Forest and Crabtree?
Dogs can be let off lead on the quieter bridleways that form part of the route. It's worth knowing that deer are present in good numbers throughout the forest, so you'll want to keep that in mind if your dog has a strong prey drive.
What should I know before visiting St Leonard's Forest and Crabtree with my dog?
The most important thing to prepare for is the mud , Wealden clay holds water tenaciously, and the ground can be genuinely boggy from November through March, so boots are essential in the wet season. There are no facilities on the route itself, with the nearest amenities in Horsham town centre around 8 km to the west, so it's worth bringing water and anything else you need for both you and your dog.
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