Dog-Friendly Pubs on the South Downs

A village inn in South Harting, just outside Petersfield. It is part of Upham Inns, a small group of pubs with rooms, and its own site describes it as a good stop for anyone walking the South Downs Way.

Of all the pubs here it does the most for dogs. There is a downloadable dog walking guide, a 'hydration station' with water bowls, and a dog menu from Sir Woofchester's (dinner bowls, chews, dog ice cream and alcohol-free 'dog beer'), which you ask for at the bar. Some bedrooms are set aside for dogs: up to two dogs per room, at £20 per dog per night, with a bed, blanket, bowl and treats.

Food runs all day, starting with breakfast at 8am. CAMRA says the inn has six rooms (one family room, four doubles and a twin) and three changing real ales.

A Grade II listed riverside inn by the bridge over the Arun, a short walk from Amberley station and Amberley Museum, according to CAMRA. The pub says it is run by Natasha and Dave Challis.

Dogs are allowed in the bar area only, and the pub asks you to tell it when booking that a dog is coming. That makes it a good choice for a pint and a sandwich after a walk; if you want a full meal with the dog, ask for a table in the bar.

Food is home-cooked, with sandwiches, ploughman's and Sunday roasts. The pub is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except bank holidays, and the week after a bank holiday Monday it closes on the Wednesday instead.

A 17th-century inn half a mile east of Amberley village, looking out over Amberley Wild Brooks, owned by the RSPB and called a birdwatchers' paradise by CAMRA. CAMRA says it closed in 2023 and reopened at Easter 2024, run by members of the community, and that in September 2026 the village society finished raising £750,000 to buy the building.

CAMRA lists it as dog friendly, with water and biscuits for dogs, and calls it a popular stop for walkers and cyclists. The conservatory has the view over the Wild Brooks, and there are binoculars to borrow for watching birds.

There are three changing ales from local breweries, usually including a dark beer, plus five bedrooms with continental breakfast. The local CAMRA branch made it its Pub of the Year for 2026.

A pub at the foot of the South Downs in Fulking, the village below Devil's Dyke, with a small stream running through its garden (CAMRA). Its own history says it appears as the Shepherd & Dog in the 1841 census and probably took its name from the yearly sheep washing in the stream outside.

The pub could not be plainer about dogs: 'The whole pub is dog friendly, perfect to enjoy a pub lunch after a walk with your pooch on the South Downs.' CAMRA also says walkers and dogs are welcome.

All its draught beers come from independent Sussex breweries (CAMRA says mainly Downlands, from nearby Small Dole) and its meat from the Knepp estate. The pub says booking is essential, and the kitchen takes its last orders two hours before closing time.

The pub on top of the Downs at Devil's Dyke, the deep dry valley that local legend says the Devil dug to flood the churches of the Weald. It is a Vintage Inns pub, part of Mitchells & Butlers, and its own site says that on a clear day you can see as far as London. CAMRA notes it is handy for the South Downs Way, and buses run up from Brighton.

Dogs are welcome, and the pub's dog page says water bowls are always out, there is a dog menu to ask about, and staff often have treats. You can book a 'dog friendly table' online.

It is open from 11.30am to 10pm every day. CAMRA describes it as a country pub and restaurant and records one cask ale, Sharp's Doom Bar.

A pub in the middle of Ditchling, inside the National Park, which its own site calls 500 years old. It is owned by Young's, and CAMRA lists Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter and Young's London Original on the bar.

The Bull is the one to pick if you want to stay over with a dog. Up to two dogs can share one of its dog-friendly bedrooms for £25 a night in total, with a hamper of treats, a bed or blanket and a bowl. Its house rules ask that dogs stay on a lead in shared areas, are never left alone, and keep off beds and sofas. CAMRA also lists the pub itself as dog friendly.

Breakfast is served from 9am Monday to Saturday, handy before an early walk. There are six bedrooms in all, and a big garden with a play area and views of the Downs.

A Harvey's pub made from two flint cottages, just off the South Downs Way near Berwick church, which is known for its wall paintings by Bloomsbury Group artists. CAMRA notes that it has no cellar, so the beer is kept in a cold room behind the bar, and that it will pour straight from the cask if you ask.

It welcomes dogs that are well behaved and on a short lead at all times. The dining rooms are small, so the pub asks for one dog per booking if you eat inside; more than one is fine outdoors, again on a lead.

CAMRA says three Harvey's ales are on: Sussex Best Bitter, plus Sisters in summer or Old Ale in winter, and a seasonal beer. Food is served at lunchtime and in the evening from Monday to Saturday, with Sunday roasts from 12 to 6pm. CAMRA mentions its well-kept gardens and real fires in winter.

CAMRA says this village pub sits right on the South Downs Way and is very popular with walkers, and the pub itself says it is just outside Eastbourne. Inside there is a real fire, and outside a large garden looking over the countryside; CAMRA adds that there are old smugglers' tunnels under the building.

CAMRA lists the pub as dog friendly. Its own website says nothing about dogs either way, so ring if you want to eat in the dining room with one.

The food is more ambitious than most walkers' pubs: the pub says it holds two AA Rosettes for 2026. It opens at 10am from Tuesday to Sunday, with breakfast rolls until 11.30am, and closes on Mondays except bank holidays. Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter and Long Man Best Bitter are the regular ales.

A 15th-century inn on the green at East Dean, a short walk from the cliffs at Beachy Head, owned by the Gilbert Estate (CAMRA). It has stone floors, low beams and a log fire.

Dogs are welcome in the pub but not in its five bedrooms above the bar. If you want to stay with a dog, the Tiger also lets the Garden Room, a few minutes' walk from the pub, where dogs are allowed; it costs £90 to £190 a night, room only. Rooms at the inn cost £120 to £220 a night with breakfast.

The regular ale is Long Man Best Bitter, with changing guests, and CAMRA notes it also serves real cider. The pub does not take table bookings for drinks only, but keeps tables free for drinkers in the main bar.