East Sussex has three genuinely verified secure fields, run by two operators, concentrated in the Battle/Heathfield/Pevensey corridor. Coverage is thinner near Hastings, Bexhill, Lewes, Rye, Hailsham and Crowborough themselves, which we’ll be upfront about rather than pretend otherwise.
- Freedom Fields, Battle — London Road, Battle, TN33 0LS. Two fenced fields (1.5 and 2 acres), £11/hour, £8/40 minutes, £5 for early or late 40-minute slots. Book online, with a gate code texted an hour before your slot. Open 7 days, dawn to dusk.
- Freedom Fields, Pevensey/Hankham — Glynleigh Road, Pevensey, BN24 5BJ (the operator also refers to this site as “Hankham,” which spans the same area). Same booking system and pricing as the Battle site. Two fenced fields, 2 acres each.
- Holmans Fields, Little London Road, Cross in Hand, near Heathfield, TN21 0AX — around 10 acres in total, with a secure 3-acre enclosure (6ft fine mesh fencing) plus a larger 7-acre “Big Field” with lower 4ft stock fencing, better suited to dogs who won’t test a lower fence. Book by the hour or half-hour online; pricing isn’t published, so contact them directly. Note this is actually near Heathfield rather than Eastbourne itself, despite how some directories list the area.
Worth a check before you book elsewhere
A field near Burwash/Heathfield, trading as “All Things Dog,” has over a hundred reviews but nothing more recent than 2023, and we couldn’t confirm it’s still operating, so we’ve left it out rather than send you to a field that might not take bookings any more. A possible fourth field near Buxted/High Hurstwood is still going through planning review, with no confirmed name or booking system yet — one to watch rather than book.
If your dog gets a bit much with the thrill of a big open field, Calmshops’ Calmdogs calming collar is worth having alongside recall training — not instead of it. Speak to a behaviourist or your vet if off-lead excitement tips into real reactivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Freedom Fields cost?
£11 for a full hour, £8 for 40 minutes, or £5 for an early or late 40-minute slot, at both the Battle and Pevensey/Hankham sites.
Is there a secure dog field near Hastings or Lewes?
Not one we could verify directly in those towns. Freedom Fields (Battle and Pevensey) and Holmans Fields (near Heathfield) are the nearest confirmed options.
Is the Holmans Fields “Big Field” fully secure?
It has lower 4ft stock fencing rather than the 6ft fine mesh of the smaller enclosure, so it suits confident, non-jumpy dogs better. Mention your dog’s size and temperament when booking.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
