# Around Elderflower Lodge, Ferring: walks, beaches, dogs and pubs

Checked against each place's own website on 27 October 2026. Hours and dog rules change, so check before a special trip. The short footpath over the railway is closed until February 2027; phone maps may still send you that way.

## Walks from the door

- **Highdown Hill.** Up Hangleton Lane to Highdown Hill (National Trust), about 16 min on foot. The trig point stands 81 m above the sea on a Bronze Age hill fort, with the view over Worthing to the sea. Komoot's published loop from Ferring to the trig point is 5.2 km (3¼ miles), about 1 h 25 with 80 m of climbing. (Dogs on a lead; Free)
- **Ferring beach and Goring Greensward.** Flat. The beach is about 40 min on foot. Komoot's loop from Ferring past the Bluebird Cafe and along Goring Greensward is 4.4 km (2¾ miles), about 1 h 07. (Dogs welcome; Free)
- **Cissbury Ring.** The largest hill fort in Sussex, about 20 minutes by car to Storrington Rise car park, Findon Valley (BN14 0HT). The National Trust trail is 2.2 miles, 1 to 1½ hours, with steep slopes, steps and kissing gates; dogs on a lead. The National Park's circular is 3 to 4 miles, 1 to 2 hours, on uneven ground. The Park notes a fallen tree on its route: at the first wooden gate on the right, leave the wooded path. (Dogs on a lead; Free)
- **With a dog.** Keep it on a lead near sheep, cattle and horses. Some local routes have stiles that are hard for bigger dogs; no published route counts them.

Sources: Komoot: easy hikes around Ferring https://www.komoot.com/guide/3642176/easy-hikes-around-ferring; South Downs National Park: Cissbury Ring circular https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/walks/cissbury-ring-circular/; National Trust: Cissbury Ring https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/cissbury-ring

## Highdown Gardens

- **Getting there.** 27 min on foot or 5 min by car, at the foot of the hill. Free entry, every day of the year. (Ask about dogs; Free)
- **Opening hours.** January and December 10am to 4pm. February, March, October and November 10am to 4.30pm. April and September 10am to 7pm. May and August 10am to 8pm. June and July 10am to 9pm.
- **Dogs.** The gardens welcome assistance dogs on a lead and say nothing about pet dogs, so ring before bringing yours.
- **Parking and tea.** Small car park with an overflow field and 2.1 m height barriers; the pub's car park is not for the gardens. Toilets at the entrance and a tearoom by the top car park. Bad weather can close the gardens at short notice.

Sources: Highdown Gardens: find us https://highdowngardens.co.uk/your-visit/find-us/

## The beaches and their dog rules

- **Ferring beach.** About 40 min on foot or 10 min by car. Dogs are welcome all year: Arun's summer ban (1 May to 30 September) covers parts of Bognor Regis, Felpham and Littlehampton only, with a £100 fine there. The Bluebird Cafe on the beach is dog friendly, open 8am to 5pm every day. (Dogs welcome; Free)
- **Goring and Worthing.** From 1 May to 30 September dogs are banned day and night on two stretches: at Goring between the launch ramp in line with Seafield Avenue and the ramp at Worthing Sailing Club, and at Worthing from Heene Road to Splash Point rocks. Elsewhere keep dogs under control, and on a lead on the promenade.
- **Coffee and toilets.** Sea Lane Cafe on Goring seafront is open daily 8am to 5.30pm, with a free car park and toilets at Marine Crescent.
- **Safety.** No lifeguards. Coastal wardens patrol in summer; the Coastal Office is on 01903 238977.

Sources: Arun District Council: 2026 dog beach ban https://www.arun.gov.uk/news-archive/annual-dog-beach-ban-comes-into-force-on-1-may-2026-10551; Adur and Worthing Councils: beaches https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/beaches/; The Bluebird Cafe https://thebluebirdcafeferring.co.uk/

## Pubs and cafes

- **The Henty Arms, Ferring Lane.** The nearest pub, 15 to 20 min on foot. Dog friendly, family friendly, car park. (Dogs welcome)
- **The Highdown, Goring.** A Brunning & Price pub with a tea room, about 25 minutes on foot. Its website gives no dog policy, so ask. (Ask about dogs)
- **The Bull, Goring Street.** Chef & Brewer. Dogs welcome in parts of the pub and the garden. Book for Sunday lunch. (Dogs welcome)
- **The World's End, Patching.** About 11 minutes by car. Dog friendly: say so when booking and they will seat you to suit. Book for Sunday lunch. (Dogs welcome)
- **Perch on the Pier, Worthing.** Dog friendly, walk-ins welcome. Closed Monday to Wednesday. (Dogs welcome)
- **The Black Rabbit, Arundel.** On the river near the castle, about 25 minutes by car. Dogs welcome. Book ahead. (Dogs welcome)

Sources: The Henty Arms https://www.hentyarms.com/

## Wet days and winter

- **Arundel Castle.** The 2026 season runs 1 April to 1 November, closed Mondays except bank holidays and August. Assistance dogs only. 2027 dates are not out yet. (Assistance dogs only)
- **WWT Arundel Wetland Centre.** Open daily 10am to 4.30pm (closed Christmas Day). Adult £16.10, family £44.85 (2026 prices), free parking. Assistance dogs only. (Assistance dogs only)
- **Worthing Museum and Art Gallery.** Wednesday to Saturday from 10am, until 8pm on Thursdays.
- **Worthing Pier.** Free, open 6am to 10pm in fair weather, with the Pavilion Theatre at the shore end; the Dome Cinema is on Marine Parade nearby. Worthing is 10 to 15 min by car. (Free)

## Day trips

- **Brighton.** 30 to 55 min by car.
- **Chichester.** 25 to 45 min by car. The cathedral is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 4.30pm and Sunday 12.30pm to 3pm; a £7 donation is suggested.
- **Arundel.** 15 to 20 min by car: the castle, the cathedral and the river path to the Black Rabbit.
- **Trains.** Goring-by-Sea station is 30 min on foot. Southern runs it, step-free, with a ticket office in the mornings; check times on the day.

Booking and the lodge itself: index.md