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Knepp Visitor HEALTH & SAFETY Information
Welcome to Knepp- a pioneering rewilding project with herds of free-roaming animals and recovering populations of wildlife.
Welcome to Knepp. Hopefully this guide will provide all the health and safety information you need for your visit, but should you have any queries please contact us using the details below.
Please be aware of vehicles, pedestrians and animals on the roads around Knepp. Please note that there are residential and business properties near the car parks so please keep noise to a minimum and ensure other properties can be accessed at all times.
Please do not access any buildings or other areas of Knepp unless you have express permission to do so.
Knepp Rewilding Project
The Knepp Rewilding Project is a large-scale, pioneering rewilding project located on the Knepp Castle Estate in West Sussex, England. It focuses on allowing natural processes to drive habitat regeneration, rather than managing for specific species or outcomes. The project uses free-roaming grazing animals, including Old English longhorn cattle, Exmoor ponies, Tamworth pigs, and red, fallow and roe deer, to help create diverse habitats.
Location and Directions
Address: Walker’s Car Park, Knepp Wilding Kitchen, off Worthing Road, Dial Post, RH13 8NQ
What3Words: ///REMAINS.ICEBERGS.RACE
Knepp Rewilding Project Terrain
Be mindful of steps, decking, uneven ground, roots, etc, as these can cause slips and trips. There are increased risk of slips and falls after rainfall. Please exercise caution on wet surfaces.
Pay attention to your footing and avoid distractions when walking. Consider using walking sticks or other mobility aids if needed. Be aware of your surroundings.
Please be prepared for the British weather! Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots and, in wet weather or following wet days, wellies are a must as our paths can be submerged by water in places. Bring sun cream/hats/insect repellent/midge nets if necessary.
Bring sufficient food and water.
Facilities
Toilets are available in the Wilding Kitchen & Shop.
Please be aware we do not provide bins or benches in the rewilding project.
Footpaths
We have 16 miles of walks for you to enjoy, with five tree viewing-platforms and a bird-hide overlooking Knepp Lake.
- Downloadable maps available online or at the Walker’s Car Park
- Stick to marked paths, follow the Countryside Code, and close all gates behind you.
- Check weather conditions before setting out; paths can become muddy when wet.
- Remember to bring appropriate footwear and clothing for your walks.
Wildlife and Free-Roaming Herbivores
Please respect our wildlife. Never approach or feed the animals. We need them to keep a flight distance that is safe
for them and for the human beings in the project.
In particular, it is important to appreciate that our free-roaming cattle, ponies and pigs – an important aspect of the
rewilding project – are not like ordinary farm animals. Like the red and fallow deer, they have free rein of the Estate.
They are not managed in the conventional way, or supplementary fed, and they give birth to their young out in the
project.
To all intents and purposes, they are wild animals and we need to protect their natural flight distance for their own
safety and the safety of the public.
This does mean that you may not see your desired species/animals when walking, as the free-roaming animals
move around constantly and have large areas off the public footpaths where they can hide. It makes it very
exciting when you do come across wildlife/ animals in the rewilding project!
So please observe these simple rules:
- Do not approach the animals, and on no account try to feed them.
- If animals are on the footpath, and looking unwilling to move, simply go around them, giving them a wide berth.
- Always keep dogs under control and on no account allow them to chase the animals.
- Take particular care to avoid red deer stags and fallow bucks during the rutting season (late Sept through October) when testosterone levels are high and their flight distance is considerably reduced. Don’t be tempted to get close to photograph them.
- Take particular care not to get between a mother and her offspring.
- On no account pick up or touch a fawn, piglet, foal or calf, even if appears to have been abandoned.
- The mother knows exactly where her offspring is and will return. Leaving it hidden in long grass or in a ditch or thicket while she goes off to graze with the herd elsewhere is her way of drawing predators away from a newborn. The only real danger to the young animal is if it is touched by human hands because then its mother may notice human scent and reject it.
Tree Platforms
There are obvious precautions to take when you’re using one of our tree platforms, given that they are high off the ground. Don’t lean over the railings and take care when moving around.
Tree platforms are accessed by a flight of steep steps. Please take care when using these, particularly at night, and, naturally, they may become slippery in wet weather. Take a torch with you in the dark so you can negotiate the path and steps.
Dogs
Please keep dogs under close control and on the footpaths. Do not let them approach or chase any free roaming
animals or wildlife.
Please bag up and take home dog waste.
We don’t allow the ‘stick and flick’ technique. Dog waste not picked up can harm floral diversity, lead to
eutrophication in water courses and can cause potential harm to livestock. Neospora, a parasitic organism found in
dog poo, can affect pregnant cattle resulting in abortion.
Please keep dogs out of any water bodies Knepp.
- Dog pheromones in the water cause beaver stress
- Spot-on flea treatments kill aquatic invertebrates
- Dogs disturb water birds/ aquatic wildlife
- Dogs disturb peace for other visitors
Swimming
We have a designated wild swimming pond at the campsite for our campsite guests. We don’t have capacity for members of the public to use the swimming pond. Swimming in all other bodies of water at Knepp is prohibited.
Ticks, other insects and snakes
Wear appropriate clothing to cover your legs and ankles to avoid bites. In the unlikely event you are bitten by a snake, call 999 or go to A&E immediately. Most snake bites in the UK are not serious but must still be checked out.
The Knepp ecologists and the Head of Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been monitoring tick populations and Lyme Borrelia infection rates at Knepp Estate.
Key findings:
- Tick populations at Knepp were generally low, with almost no ticks in the southern block—the area with significant grazing by large ungulates. In contrast, ticks were more abundant in the northern block, where pheasants are present.
- The southern block appeared to be almost tick-free, likely due to the grazing impact of large herbivores, which significantly reduce tick populations, as shown by similar studies elsewhere (e.g., the New Forest).
- Ticks in the northern block showed a low Lyme Borrelia infection rate of 6.8%, which is typical for southern England. The infection rates varied slightly between areas (2.9% to 11.5%), but overall, they remained within a relatively low and normal range for the region.
Implications for Lyme disease risk:
- The results suggest that Knepp is not a high-risk area for Lyme disease, despite the presence of ticks in some parts of the estate. The low tick densities, especially in the southern block, indicate that rewilding with large ungulates does not necessarily lead to high tick populations or elevated Lyme disease risks, even over extended periods (e.g., 20 years of rewilding).
- This finding is important, as it contrasts with areas like Dorset, where tick densities are higher, and supports the idea that grazing by large ungulates may help reduce tick populations and disease risk.
Conclusions:
Knepp Estate shows low tick densities and low Lyme disease risk, supporting the hypothesis that rewilding with large herbivores can help manage tick populations. These findings will continue to be monitored, and future surveys will assess if this pattern holds over time, particularly if any changes in grazing practices or animal movements occur between different blocks of the estate.
Knepp Wildland Campsite
Situated in a stunning wildflower meadow on the edge of an ancient wood and surrounded by 3,500-acre Knepp Wildland in West Sussex, our glamping and camping offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a pioneering rewilding project.
Policies & Guidelines
- You must not bring any animals or pets onto the campsite
- We do not accept any large groups
- We don’t allow anybody to drive on the wildflower camping meadow; for this reason we cannot accept campervans or trailer tents
- We do not allow amplified music at any time and all noise should be kept to a minimum between 10.30pm and 7.30am
- No disposable barbeques
- No littering (please dispose of all rubbish or take it home with you)
- No drones
- All guests must be over 12yrs. We cannot accommodate unaccompanied guests under 18yrs.
- Day visitors are not permitted on the campsite; we suggest meeting them at the Wilding Café instead.
These policies help maintain the serenity and safety of the Knepp Wildland experience.
Location and Directions
Address: New Barn Farm, Swallows Lane, Dial Post, RH13 8NN
What3Words: ///CLAP.FORTNIGHT.AWAKE
Parking is free at New Barn Farm car park
Upon arrival, please feel free to use the large wheelbarrows to transport your belongings to the campsite. Please bring a torch, as the campsite is not lit at night.
There is an overflow car park at the campsite.
Address: New Barn Farm, Swallows Lane, Dial Post, RH13 8NN
What3Words: ///HOPE.SUMMER.FORGE
Campsite Grounds
Be mindful of steps, decking, uneven ground, roots, etc, as these can cause slips and trips. There are increased risk of slips and falls after rainfall. Please exercise caution on wet surfaces.
Pay attention to your footing and avoid distractions when walking. Consider using walking sticks or other mobility aids if needed. Be aware of your surroundings.
Please bring a torch as the campsite is not lit at night.
You can find a campsite map online here.
Fire
Fires are permitted only in designated wood burning stoves, fire pits and pizza ovens.
Firewood, kindling and charcoal are available for purchase on-site.
Please be aware of the direction and strength of the wind when starting any outside fire-pit or barbeque. Make sure it is a generous distance from any other accommodation or tent, bearing in mind not only how far sparks can fly but also the potential aggravation for other campers of smoke.
Glamping wood-burners get very hot. Please use the poker provided when opening the door and adding more wood.
There are five Fire Points on the campsite equipped with fire extinguishers, water buckets, fire beaters and a fire bell.
There is also a bucket of sand outside each glamping unit; as well as larger fire extinguishers clearly marked in the Go Down, Cow Barn, Glamping Kitchen and Pitch Up.
We have a no-smoking policy in all of our accommodation, as well as the Glamping Kitchen, Pitch Up, Bathenon, the Cow Barn and the Go Down. You’re welcome to smoke elsewhere in the campsite, but please be respectful of non-smokers.
Please adhere to all fire safety guidelines to protect the natural environment.
Swimming Pond
There is a designated wild swimming pond on site. This is deep water, so is only suitable for strong swimmers. Before swimming, please read our safe swimming leaflet and check for advice on water conditions. As with any natural body of water, there may occasionally be naturally occurring bacteria or parasites present, particularly in warm weather. Please follow all guidance to minimise any risk. Do not swim in the dark or while intoxicated. Please take care on the bridge as this can become slippery. There is a shower and a bucket shower on the swimming pond decking. Please take care when using these and stand on the anti-slip mats.
First Aid
There is a First Aid kit in a green plastic box on the wall by the sink in the Glamping Kitchen, Pitch Up, Cow Barn and Granary. There is also a more extensive one in the Go Down.
The Bothy
Originally a dairy for the three milk cows for the castle, the Bothy has been converted into a charming rustic cabin suitable for a single person or couple. The spacious main room features a four-poster bed at one end and comfortable sofa and armchair around a woodburning stove with a plentiful stock of sustainable, home-sourced wood at the other. Radiators supply additional heating.
Policies & Guidelines
- Please do not bring any pets into the accommodation during your stay
- Please close windows and lock doors when you leave the Bothy
- No collecting wood anywhere on site or in the rewilding project (this is important deadwood habitat for beetles and other creatures)
- Please use candles in the candle holders supplied
- No smoking inside the accommodation
- Do not put ANYTHING on the wood-burning stove
- Be extra careful when drying clothes– do not place them on or near the stove
- Please take left-over provisions with you when you leave
Location and Directions
Address: Knepp Castle Estate, off Pound Lane, West Grinstead, West Sussex, RH13 8PG
What3Words: ///OCEAN.SOMETIMES.PROOF
Parking is free at the Bothy car park
Bothy Grounds
Be mindful of steps, decking, uneven ground, roots, etc, as these can cause slips and trips. There are increased risk of slips and falls after rainfall. Please exercise caution on wet surfaces.
Pay attention to your footing and avoid distractions when walking. Consider using walking sticks or other mobility aids if needed. Be aware of your surroundings.
Please bring a torch as the area around the Bothy is not lit at night.
First Aid
There is a First Aid kit in the kitchen dresser. Emergency information and procedures are displayed on the kitchen wall.
Fire
Fires are permitted only in the wood burning stove. Fire Extinguishers are provided for you in the living area and kitchen. Also a Fire Blanket, which is situated in the kitchen.
Wood-burners get very hot. Please use the poker provided when opening the door and adding more wood.
We have a no-smoking policy in all of our accommodation.
Please adhere to all fire safety guidelines to protect the natural environment.
Emergency Lighting
We supply an emergency torch for your use and a handbell should you need to raise an alarm in case of fire or other emergency. The torch is on the bookcase next to the main door. Please only use in an emergency and do not move from its place. The handbell is on the little table by the main door. Again, please leave as found for our next visitors.
Swimming
We have a designated wild swimming pond at the campsite for our campsite guests. We don’t have capacity for members of the public to use the swimming pond. Swimming in all other bodies of water at Knepp is prohibited.
The Dairy
An enchanting, rustic dwelling, once a working cow barn, The Dairy sits amongst working stables in the heart of Knepp’s rewilding project, overlooking our beautiful wild swimming pond.
Policies & Guidelines
- Please do not bring any pets into the accommodation during your stay
- Please close windows and lock doors when you leave the Dairy
- No collecting wood anywhere on site or in the rewilding project (this is important deadwood habitat for beetles and other creatures)
- Please use candles in the candle holders supplied
- No smoking inside the accommodation
- Do not put ANYTHING on the wood-burning stove
- Be extra careful when drying clothes– do not place them on or near the stove
- Please take left-over provisions with you when you leave
Location and Directions
Address: New Barn Farm, Swallows Lane, Dial Post, West Sussex, RH13 8NN
What3Words: ///POSITIONS.DECREASED.FINISHING
Parking is free at the Dairy car park
Dairy Grounds
Be mindful of steps, decking, uneven ground, roots, etc, as these can cause slips and trips. There are increased risk of slips and falls after rainfall. Please exercise caution on wet surfaces.
Pay attention to your footing and avoid distractions when walking. Consider using walking sticks or other mobility aids if needed. Be aware of your surroundings.
Please bring a torch as the area around the Dairy is not lit at night.
First Aid
There is a First Aid kit in the kitchen dresser. Emergency information and procedures are displayed on the kitchen wall.
Fire
Fires are permitted only in the wood burning stove. Fire Extinguishers are provided for you in the living area and kitchen. Also a Fire Blanket, which is situated in the kitchen.
Wood-burners get very hot. Please use the poker provided when opening the door and adding more wood.
We have a no-smoking policy in all of our accommodation.
Please adhere to all fire safety guidelines to protect the natural environment.
Emergency Lighting
We supply an emergency torch for your use and a handbell should you need to raise an alarm in case of fire or other emergency. The torch is on the bookcase next to the main door. Please only use in an emergency and do not move from its place. The handbell is on the little table by the main door. Again, please leave as found for our next visitors.
Swimming
We have a designated wild swimming pond at the campsite. We don’t have capacity for members of the public to use the swimming pond. Swimming in all other bodies of water at Knepp is prohibited.
Knepp Wildland Safaris
Our expert safari guides take you into the heart of the Knepp Wildland Project, 3,500 acres of stunning natural habitat, heaving with wildlife. Experience our profusion of birds, mammals, butterflies, beetles, reptiles, plants and fungi in a setting that feels as wild and dynamic as the African bush.
Policies & Guidelines
- All guests must be over 12yrs. We cannot accommodate unaccompanied guests under 18yrs
- No pets
- Guests should not smoke or vape on safaris or garden visits
Location and Directions
Address: The Cow Barn/ The Granary, New Barn Farm, Swallows Lane, Dial Post, RH13 8NN
What3Words: ///CLAP.FORTNIGHT.AWAKE
Parking is free at New Barn Farm car park
Safari Terrain
Be mindful of steps, decking, uneven ground, roots, etc, as these can cause slips and trips. There are increased risk of slips and falls after rainfall. Please exercise caution on wet surfaces.
Pay attention to your footing and avoid distractions when walking. Consider using walking sticks or other mobility aids if needed. Be aware of your surroundings.
Please be prepared for the British weather! Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots and, in wet weather or following wet days, wellies are a must as our paths can be submerged by water in places.
Rewilded Walled Garden Visits
Our wild, walled garden is a unique horticultural experiment inspired by what we’ve learnt from rewilding in the wider landscape here at the Knepp Estate in West Sussex.
Policies & Guidelines
- All guests must be over 12yrs. We cannot accommodate unaccompanied guests under 18yrs
- No pets
- Guests should not smoke or vape on safaris or garden visits
Location and Directions
Address: The Apple Store, near Knepp Castle, off Pound Lane, RH13 8LJ
What3Words: ///PODS.COIL.BRIDGES
Parking is free in the car park
Walled Garden Terrain
Be mindful of steps, decking, uneven ground, roots, etc, as these can cause slips and trips. There are increased risk of slips and falls after rainfall. Please exercise caution on wet surfaces.
Pay attention to your footing and avoid distractions when walking. Consider using walking sticks or other mobility aids if needed. Be aware of your surroundings.
Knepp Wilding Kitchen & Shop
Set in the heart of our rewilding project in a sensitively restored 18th century Sussex barn, our Wilding Kitchen has nature and sustainability at its core.
We offer traditional favourites and exciting new dishes cooked over an open fire using produce grown on-site in our organic Market Garden, and Wild Range meat from the rewilding project.
Our Wilding Shop sits at the entrance to the restaurant courtyard and offers hundreds of beautiful lifestyle products
and gifts made with nature in mind. Produce from the Market Garden and our Wild Range meat is also available.
Location and Directions
Address: Off Worthing Road, Dial Post, RH13 8NQ
What3Words: ///REMAINS.ICEBERGS.RACE
Parking is free in the Walker’s car park
Wilding Kitchen Terrain
Be mindful of steps, decking, uneven ground, roots, etc, as these can cause slips and trips. There are increased risk of slips and falls after rainfall. Please exercise caution on wet surfaces.
Pay attention to your footing and avoid distractions when walking. Consider using walking sticks or other mobility aids if needed. Be aware of your surroundings.
Allergies
Please inform staff about food allergies to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. It’s essential to communicate your allergies clearly and concisely, ideally before ordering, and to ask specific questions about preparation methods and ingredients.
Clearly state which foods or ingredients you are allergic to and how severe your reaction is. Use an index card or a prepared note if you have numerous allergies.
Ask about how the food is prepared, including if it is cooked in shared pans or if there’s a risk of cross-contamination from other ingredients.
If you have questions about specific dishes or ingredients, don’t hesitate to ask your server. They should be able to provide detailed information or consult with the kitchen staff. If you need to adjust your order to accommodate your allergies, ask if the kitchen can make the necessary modifications.
If you have a severe allergy, carry an epinephrine auto-injector with you and know how to use it.
Closest Emergency Services
Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies like serious accidents, strokes and heart attacks.
Call 111 for all other medical assistance or advice.
NHS Minor Injuries Unit
Hurst Road
Horsham
RH12 2DR
01403 227000
Accident and Emergency Unit
Worthing Hospital
Lyndhurst Road
BN11 2DH
01903 205111
Accident and Emergency Unit
Princess Royal Hospital
Haywards Heath
RH16 4EX
01444 441881
The nearest defibrillators are available from:
Knepp Campsite Reception
New Barn Farm, Swallows Lane, Dial Post, RH13 8NN
What3Words: ///CLAP.FORTNIGHT.AWAKE
Dial Post Village Hall
Worthing Rd, Dial Post, Horsham RH13 8NH
What3Words: ///SQUARING.HANDY.ASTEROID
Knepp Emergency Contacts
Knepp Estate
Knepp Castle
Estate Office
West Grinstead
RH13 8LJ
01403 741235
Knepp Safaris & Campsite
New Barn Farm
Swallows Lane
Dial Post
RH13 8NN
01403 713230
Knepp Wilding Kitchen
Shop, Cafe & Restaurant
Off Worthing Road
Dial Post
RH13 8NQ
01403 713230
Reporting
We’re committed to creating a safe environment for our staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors. If you have an accident or there is a ’near-miss’, please report to a member of staff as soon as possible. This help us learn what happened and try to prevent the same thing happening again the future.
