Iping Common and Stedham Common
Follow the heathland trails across these two pretty commons on this walk in Midhurst in Sussex. There's a car park off Elsted Road which gives direct access to the footpaths. On the commons you'll find a large pond and lots of wildlife. Look out for woodlark, Dartford warbler, nightjar and stonechat.
To extend your walking in the area you can head north towards Woolbeding Common. The National Trust managed area has miles of good footpaths taking you to woodland, heathland and ponds.
Also nearby is the New Lipchis Way which runs through the lovely Rother Valley. You can pick up the riverside trail just to the north of Stedham. It can be followed east all the way to Midhurst or north to Woolbeding Common.
The Serpent Trail also crosses the common. You can follow it west towards Petersfield or east towards Midhurst Common, Graffham Common and the National Trust owned Lavington Common.
Postcode
GU29 0PB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsIping Common and Stedham Common Ordnance Survey Map 
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Iping Common and Stedham Common Open Street Map 
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Iping Common and Stedham Common OS Map 
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Iping Common and Stedham Common Open Street Map 
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Dog Walking
The commons are a fine place for a dog walk so you'll probably see other owners on a fine day. Please keep them under control and on a lead or on the path from March to September when the birds are nesting.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
One good option is to follow the New Lipchis Way east for a couple of miles to visit the wonderful Cowdray Park. There's miles of trails here taking you to a ruined castle, walled garden, pretty ponds and a noteworthy ancient oak. You can pick up the Midhurst Way here which will take you through the South Downs.
Just a few miles to the south west there's another splendid viewpoint at Harting Down. Near here there's also the National Trust's Uppark. Here you'll find a fine 17th century Georgian House surrounded by lovely gardens with views of the English Channel. The author H.G Wells stayed in the house during the late 19th century. The class divisions he observed here inspired his socialist views which later manifested themselves in work such as 'The Time Machine'. You can find the house at postcode GU31 5QR.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Sussex Walks and South Downs Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Iping Common at dusk in the mid summer. The area is described by Natural England as one of the richest areas of heath in the county. It is mostly dry heath but there are also areas of wet heath, two ponds, woodland, scrub and grassland. It has a rich invertebrate fauna and breeding heathland birds include nightjars and stonechats. There are views of the River Rother just to the north of the common.
Stedham Common. Following a track through this lowland heath that is owned by the Sussex Wildlife Trust.
Bridleway, Stedham Common. The bridleway takes riders and walkers across the common to Quags Corner.
The footpath leaves Minsted Road to cross Stedham Common.
Heather on Stedham Common. Seen on the Serpent Trail and in the distance above the trees a glimpse of the South Downs.
British White, Stedham Common. Rare breed British White are one of Britain's oldest breeds of cattle. They are believed to have links with our ancient wild white cattle. They have attractive markings (black points on ears, eyes, nose and feet) and a docile nature. British White have been used for parkland grazing for centuries and are ideally suited for the conservation grazing. They are roaming freely on the common.