Ashdown Forest

What’s not to love about the glorious Ashdown Forest? It’s beautiful, it’s huge, it’s tranquil and it’s right on our doorstep! Just 30 miles south of London and with a rich and fascinating history, the forest is perfect for those occasions when all you want to do is find a sanctuary away from all the usual routines. Days out in East Sussex surely don’t come any more soothing than this. 

Ashdown Forest is understandably popular with bird-watchers, so keep a close eye out for the likes of meadow pipit, stonechat, skylark, linnet, yellowhammer, turtle dove, tawny owl and many, many more. In addition, you may well see fallow and red deer, rare plants and even Exmoor ponies. The unique heathland here is also home to a significant number of the most threatened wildlife species in Europe. 

The forest is the largest public access space in the whole of the south-east of England, and it attracts more than a million visitors every year. It’s worth noting, however, that the area is so large you can easily feel that you’re completely alone here. You’ll find Ashdown Forest in East Sussex close to several towns, including East Grinstead, Uckfield, Tunbridge Wells and Crowborough. 

As well as being a favourite with walkers, Ashdown Forest is a haven for off-road and mountain biking, there’s a golf club in the northern area near Forest Row and the area around Hartfield is, understandably, a magnet for fans of the Winnie the Pooh stories.