Best lakes around Cocking are primarily smaller, intimate ponds and historical mill ponds nestled within the scenic West Sussex countryside. The area is characterized by its rural charm and proximity to the South Downs National Park, offering numerous walking trails. While not featuring large recreational lakes, Cocking's water bodies contribute to its natural beauty and historical landscape. These ponds are often encountered during local rambles, providing scenic points of interest for those exploring the region.
Last updated: June 14, 2026
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South Downs National Park – A Walk in the Parks
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Running Trails around Cocking
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Cycling around Cocking
Road Cycling Routes around Cocking
Hiking around Cocking
12% climb out of East Dean with the reward of a great descent down to Goodwood
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Burton Mill Pond is part of the Burton Mill and Chingford Ponds Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Originating in the late 16th century to fuel a forge, the pond has a historical past. By the late 18th century, it played a vital role as part of a water mill for grinding corn, with the imposing structure by the road now standing as the remnants of the old mill. It's part of a fabulous landscape as you cycle along the road bordering its northeastern shore.
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Nestled on the outskirts of Chichester, between the villages of Singleton and Upwaltham, the pretty village of East Dean lies in the scenic Upper Lavant Valley of the South Downs. This quaint settlement, steeped in history with traces of Celtic fields and Roman artifacts, has a timeless charm. It features a pond on the village green and a distinctive flint-walled pub called The Star and Garter. Surprisingly, despite its small size, East Dean proudly hosts a football team, a local institution founded over 130 years ago, competing in the West Sussex league.
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South pond is a historic and scenic pond in Midhurst, West Sussex, England. It is fed by two streams that were once the boundaries of Saxon settlements, and it forms the division between the oldest part of Midhurst and West Lavington. The pond was created in the mid-1100s by one of the medieval lords of Midhurst, who dammed the streams to make a breeding pool for fish. The pond has been used for various purposes over the centuries, such as milling, fulling, leather production, and entertainment. The pond is now a nature reserve and a popular spot for walking, fishing, and birdwatching. It is part of the South Downs National Park and has a rich biodiversity of plants and animals. The pond is also home to the South Pond Group, a voluntary community group that works to care for and improve the pond and its surroundings. The group organizes regular events, activities, and projects to engage the public and enhance the pond’s beauty and value.
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The current mill building dates from around 1780, although mills and forges have been exploiting the Downs spring water for at least 800 years. The mill's historic water-powered milling machine has been restored to working condition. Burton Mill is open to visitors on the Sunday of the National Mills Weekend in May and the National Heritage Weekend in September.
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Burton Mill Pond is a beautiful place to visit. It is an atmospheric hammer pond and holding pond in the South Downs National Park, near Petworth, West Sussex. The pond is part of the Burton Mill and Chingford Ponds Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and the Burton Park Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which are nationally important for their wetland habitats, rare plants, birdlife, and invertebrate populations.
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Scenic viewpoint with a bench next to a dew pond overlooking the Sussex countryside towards the east. The construction of dew ponds began in the South Downs during the 11th century, when traditional water sources such as streams and wells were not readily available. They provide a vital source of water for grazing livestock, particularly during the summer months when streams and other water sources may dry up.
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Burton Mill Pond is part of the Burton Mill and Chingford Ponds Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Enjoy the moment of calm as you pedal along the road skirting its north eastern shore. The pond was created in the late 16th century to power a forge. In the late 18th century the pond was part of a water mill for grinding corn. The large house by the road is the old mill.
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Around Cocking, you'll primarily find smaller, intimate ponds and historical mill ponds. These water bodies are often encountered during local rambles and contribute to the area's natural beauty and historical landscape, rather than being large recreational lakes. Examples include Burton Mill Pond and Mill, a historical hammer pond, and the pond at East Dean Village Green.
Yes, Burton Mill Pond and Mill is a significant historical site. It's an atmospheric hammer pond created in the late 16th century to power a forge, with the current mill building dating from around 1780. Another historic spot is South Pond, Midhurst, which was created in the mid-1100s and has been used for various purposes over centuries.
The ponds and surrounding areas are rich in nature. Burton Mill Pond is part of a Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, known for wetland habitats, rare plants, birdlife, and invertebrates. The Burton and Chingford Ponds Local Nature Reserve is home to 24 species of dragonfly, including the rare hairy dragonfly, as well as bats, wildfowl, and water lilies.
Absolutely. East Dean Village Green and Pond is a charming, family-friendly location with a pond on the village green and a distinctive flint-walled pub. Many of the smaller ponds, like the View of Sussex Countryside from Dew Pond, offer scenic spots for a relaxed outing.
For breathtaking views, visit the View of Sussex Countryside from Dew Pond. This natural monument features a bench next to a dew pond, offering expansive views over the Sussex countryside. Many local walking trails also provide picturesque glimpses of the smaller ponds integrated into the landscape.
While the ponds themselves are not for watersports, the area around Cocking is excellent for outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for cycling, gravel biking, and running. For example, explore routes like the 'Cadence Café – Buriton Church and Pond loop' for cycling, or the 'South Pond, Midhurst – West Sussex Lanes loop' for gravel biking. You can find more details on these activities in the Cycling around Cocking, Gravel biking around Cocking, and Running Trails around Cocking guides.
Yes, the smaller ponds and mill ponds around Cocking are often integrated into local walking trails. For instance, the Burton Mill Pond is part of the Burton Mill and Chingford Ponds Local Nature Reserve, offering paths through wetland habitats. South Pond, Midhurst is also a popular spot for walking and birdwatching.
A 'dew pond' is an artificial pond, typically on the top of a hill, designed to collect dew and rainwater for livestock. The construction of dew ponds began in the South Downs during the 11th century because traditional water sources were not readily available. They provide a vital source of water for grazing livestock, especially in summer. You can see one at the View of Sussex Countryside from Dew Pond.
While specific accommodations aren't detailed for each pond, the quaint village of East Dean, home to East Dean Village Green and Pond, features a distinctive flint-walled pub called The Star and Garter. Midhurst, where South Pond is located, also has coffee shops and other amenities nearby.
Visitors appreciate the tranquil beauty and historical significance of these water bodies. The komoot community has shared 37 photos and given 44 upvotes to various highlights, indicating a strong appreciation for the scenic points, natural habitats, and the peaceful atmosphere these ponds offer during walks and explorations in the South Downs National Park.
Cocking itself does not feature large lakes suitable for boating or swimming. The water bodies in Cocking are primarily smaller ponds. For those seeking larger lakes with more established recreational facilities in the wider West Sussex area, options like Swanbourne Lake near Arundel or Tilgate Lake in Crawley offer activities such as rowing and watersports, though these are not located directly in Cocking.


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