Ashdown Forest

Understand

Flora and fauna There are several hundred deer, mainly Roe and Fallow and including small numbers of Muntjac and Sika, living happily in the woodland areas. Nightjar and Stonechat, Skylark and Meadow Pipit, Dartford Warbler and Woodcock are among the birds which enjoy the gorse and heather habitat. Many rare species of butterfly, moth and dragonfly are also to be seen, as are adders and a small number of grass snakes.

Climate Summer is the warmest time and best for walking, cycling, etc.; winter months can be cold and a little damp. It is advisable to take a light coat if the weather looks a bit iffy, just to keep you dry if anything; when the wind blows it can get quite cold on the ridges, however most of the valleys and copses provide enough shelter

History Man has lived and worked in Ashdown Forest for 5,000 years, with iron-working during the Roman Period and Saxon Farming, however the forest took on its role as an area of enjoyment in the 11th century, when it was set up as a hunting ground for the Crown (remnants of this can still be seen) and used for rabbit farming (many localities are known as 'Warrens' - indicating their past usage). Ashdown Forest has, throughout history had an important part in the nation's economy, in 1496 French ironmasters were employed to operate the first water powered blast furnace in Britain, at Newbridge near Coleman’s Hatch and in 1505 a water powered steel forge was established at Pippingford. However by the 18th century most iron-working had stopped.

Getting there

From London

By car The A22 to Eastbourne passes right through Ashdown Forest, linking East Grinstead, Uckfield and Nutley to London.

By train 1/2 hourly service from London Victoria to East Grinstead and hourly service from London Bridge to Crowborough and Uckfield (the line diverges at Oxted); £24 return to East Grinstead and £18.50. return to Uckfield (Sept 2017).

By bus National Express runs services to East Grinstead, Uckfield and onto Eastbourne

From Kent/Medway Area

By car The A26 from Maidstone to Newhaven passes through Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough and Uckfield, there are other routes

By train East Grinstead is the nearest train station to the Ashdown Forest, reachable by bus.

By bus The 291 runs to Tunbridge Wells, and the 261 to East Grinstead.

By air The nearest airport is at 1 London Gatwick (LGW IATA), which is a 25 minute drive away.

Getting around

Get a map Roads allow full access to all attractions in Ashdown Forest, although it is worth getting a map (AA or RAC for driving) if you are planning to go walking, horse riding or cycling. It is worth getting an OS (Ordnance Survey) map; Royal Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Crowborough. Scale 1:25,000 (4 cm:1 km, 2½ in:1 mi) would be fine, costing usually under £8.00

Cycling Cycling is very limited on Ashdown Forest land to the few public bridleways, although several groups are petitioning for more open access for off-road cycling however it is fully allowed on roads.

Public transport As for public transport, it is fairly limited, buses go from East Grinstead to Uckfield, East Grinstead to Tunbridge Wells and beyond. From Uckfield, there are regular buses to Tunbridge Wells, via Crowborough. Uckfield, Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead all have routes to London (as do smaller stations, ask at the desk) journeys vary from 1hr 20–50 min.

See

The area in and around Ashdown Forest is rich in the diversity of places to visit, from East Grinstead in the north to Uckfield in the south, Crowborough in the east and Haywards Heath in the west, and the whole of Ashdown Forest itself in between. The four towns themselves, although very different in character, each offers a wide range of shopping, cafes, restaurants and pubs, and each has a leisure centre with a swimming pool. Just off the A22 are two of the foremost attractions of the area - the Ashdown Forest Centre, where you can learn everything about the Forest, and the Ashdown Forest Llama Park. The A275, which forks off the A22 just south of Wych Cross, will take you to three more treats – Heaven Farm, with its farm museum, craft shop and tearoom, Sheffield Park Garden (National Trust) and the Bluebell Railway. To the north, in East Grinstead, with fast links to London and just outside the town:

1 Standen. An Arts and Crafts house by Philip Webb, owned by the National Trust. (updated Dec 2023) On the east side of the area, just off the A26, is Barnsgate Manor Vineyard with its tearoom and restaurant, its giftshop selling Barnsgate wines and its magnificent views. A little farther south, off the A272, is Wilderness Wood, a working woodland with fascinating walks, picnic and barbecue areas and a teashop. Along with wood ‘workshops’ in the looking after of the forest. It is open most days. Just beyond the Forest boundary, in the northeast of the forest, is Groombridge Place Gardens and the Enchanted Forest. A few miles away, on the outskirts of the village of Hartfield, is Bolebroke Castle. Ashdown Forest is part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this area extending from Horsham (in the West) to Rye in the East carries with it outstanding countryside, beautiful buildings and an interesting past. There are 31 United Kingdom Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Pooh Bear One of the Forest's more famous inhabitants, Christopher Milne wrote tha

Do

The forest way. A 10 km (6.2 mi) cycle route through beautiful countryside. Walking. Get a map and go for walk! Some beautiful landscapes accessible from all the main roads; at larger car parks there's usually an ice cream van there for the kids (even in mid winter). A Forest Map and Guide can be obtained from the Visitor Centre for £2.50 whilst several walking routes can be downloaded from the Tourist Information website for the Forest. Walking trails are rarely signposted on the forest, however on the forest way (above) there are some signed paths. Play 'pooh sticks' at Poohsticks Bridge, just like Christopher Robin in A.A. Milne's famous Winnie the Pooh stories. Park at Pooh car park and it's a good downhill stroll along a signposted path. Ashdown Forest Llama Park (on the A22 between Forest Row and Nutley.). Llots of llamas to llook at. Local Churches. Often very interesting with varied histories; can be incorporated into a walk or a drive.

Buy

Anything required can be purchased in one of the larger towns and petrol stations are sprinkled around.

Hartfield. Is 'Pooh' Central, from where Pooh bear was set, you can play pooh sticks on the bridge or visit 100 acre wood. There are also numerous shops. All the towns have at least a supermarket and many of the villages have a small shop/Post office. If one requires something specific the towns of Tunbrdige Wells and East Grinstead will suffice. Rock climbing and walking (outdoor activities), Bowles, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, ☏ +44 7793355948. half day for full day. Experience rock climbing in the Ashdown forest and