Dogging in West Sussex: area guide
West Sussex runs from the south coast and Chichester Harbour over the South Downs to the Weald and Gatwick. This guide covers the lie of the land, daylight by month and safe travel. It does not list private spots.
- The lie of the land
- Getting about safely
- Daylight through the year
- The law and your safety
- Questions about West Sussex
- Nearby areas
The lie of the land in West Sussex
West Sussex has Chichester, a cathedral city, in the south-west, and Worthing, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis along the coast. Horsham, Crawley, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead sit in the north and centre, with Gatwick Airport beside Crawley. Midhurst, Petworth and Arundel are smaller market towns.
The South Downs National Park sweeps across the middle of the county, with chalk hills, wooded slopes and the Arun and Adur valleys cutting through. The High Weald National Landscape covers the north-east. Chichester Harbour is a protected National Landscape made of tidal creeks and mudflats, and Pagham Harbour and Selsey Bill are low, flat coast. The Coastal Plain is fertile farmland.
Crawley and the north are commuter country, while the Downs and the Weald are quiet. People arrive from Brighton, Portsmouth, Surrey and London. Remote areas are not always empty, and a lane can be busy for no obvious reason, which is why the guide stays general.
Getting about safely
The A27 runs along the coast from Chichester past Worthing to Brighton, while the A24 runs north from Worthing to Horsham. The A23 and M23 link Crawley and Gatwick to London, the A29 and A283 cross the Downs, and the A272 and A285 serve Midhurst, Petworth and Chichester. The A27 jams around Chichester, Arundel and Worthing. The A259 runs along the shore.
The Brighton Main Line serves Haywards Heath, Three Bridges and Gatwick. The Arun Valley line links Horsham, Pulborough and Arundel to the coast at Barnham. Coastway trains run along the shore from Brighton through Worthing, Littlehampton and Chichester to Portsmouth. Last trains from London leave around midnight, and branch lines end earlier. Check before you set out.
Downland roads are steep, narrow and unlit, with sunken lanes and sharp bends. Fog gathers in the valleys. Parts of the Arun valley flood in wet winters. Tides rise fast in Chichester Harbour and Pagham, and mud and creeks can trap walkers. Deer cross at dusk. Phone signal drops in the Downs and the Weald. Share your location and keep your phone charged.
Daylight in West Sussex through the year
Typical times for Chichester, in UK local time, around the middle of each month. Use them to plan your journey home as well as your arrival.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Dusk ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:59 | 16:25 | 17:04 |
| February | 07:16 | 17:18 | 17:53 |
| March | 06:17 | 18:07 | 18:40 |
| April | 06:09 | 19:57 | 20:33 |
| May | 05:14 | 20:45 | 21:26 |
| June | 04:49 | 21:17 | 22:05 |
| July | 05:06 | 21:10 | 21:54 |
| August | 05:50 | 20:23 | 21:01 |
| September | 06:38 | 19:17 | 19:51 |
| October | 07:25 | 18:11 | 18:44 |
| November | 07:18 | 16:16 | 16:53 |
| December | 07:59 | 15:57 | 16:37 |
Dusk ends is when civil twilight finishes, usually 30 to 50 minutes after sunset in southern England and longer further north. After that you need lights. Times shift by a few minutes across the area.
The law and your safety
England and Wales: sex outdoors is not automatically an offence. It can become one if members of the public are likely to see it. Charities such as the Terrence Higgins Trust give the same advice. Read their public sex environments guide.
Wherever you are, the basics don't change. Get a clear yes from everyone. Tell someone where you're going. Stay sober. Keep out of sight of anyone who hasn't agreed to see you. Use condoms, and use a new one with each partner.
Questions about West Sussex
Is dogging legal in West Sussex?
Having sex outdoors is not automatically a crime in England and Wales. It becomes an offence when members of the public can see it, for example outraging public decency or indecent exposure. Sex in a public toilet is an offence. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do you list dogging spots in West Sussex?
No. This guide covers the area, not private places. We don't name car parks, lay-bys or woods, because other people use them too and visitors can end up in trouble.
Does this guide include Gatwick and Crawley?
Yes. Gatwick Airport and Crawley are in West Sussex. Brighton and Hove is covered in the East Sussex guide, so use that guide for it.
What should I know about driving the A27 and Downs roads at night?
The A27 is busy and lit in places, but the Downs roads are steep, narrow and dark. Slow down, expect deer and fog, and plan your route before you leave. A27 incidents can back up traffic for miles.
Nearby areas
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