Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Forest The Forest Centre is the headquarters of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest who are responsible for the management the Forest. Picture credit: David Brooker

It is the best starting point for finding out about the Forest, what you can see, and where you can go.

✨ TODAY’S THE DAY! The first ever Ashdown Forest Open Studios is officially here! ✨Yesterday was a hive of activity as o...
05/09/2026

✨ TODAY’S THE DAY! The first ever Ashdown Forest Open Studios is officially here! ✨

Yesterday was a hive of activity as our wonderful artists spent the day hanging work, arranging displays, putting up signs and adding all those finishing touches ready to welcome you through their doors this morning. 🎨🖌️🧶🏺

And now… we’re ready for you! 💚

From 10am today, studios across the Ashdown Forest will be opening their doors for a whole weekend of art, creativity and conversation.

🗺️ Don’t have a trail map yet?
Don’t worry! Maps will be available at the studios, so pick one up at your first stop and use it to plan your adventures. There are lots of lovely artists to meet and an incredible variety of work to discover along the way.

⭐ And don’t forget to pick up your star collecting card too — collect stars as you visit the studios for your chance to win a £200 art voucher to spend with one of our participating artists!

📅 4th, 5th & 6th September
⏰ 10am–5pm each day
🎨 80 artists | 20 venues | 5 trails

So grab a friend, pick a trail and make a day of it. We cannot wait to welcome you to the inaugural Ashdown Forest Open Studios! 🌿🎨

👉 Where will your first stop be? Tell us in the comments!

Bright new day 🌞and we're open 10am to 5pm ...just can not wait to see you today 🙂ashdownforestopenstudios.co.uk look us...
05/09/2026

Bright new day 🌞and we're open 10am to 5pm ...just can not wait to see you today 🙂
ashdownforestopenstudios.co.uk look us up❤️

🕚 Opening times at the Forest Centre this weekend (5th - 6th Sept) 🕚🖌🎨Open Studios Location! Ashdown Forest Centre is an...
04/09/2026

🕚 Opening times at the Forest Centre this weekend (5th - 6th Sept) 🕚

🖌🎨Open Studios Location! Ashdown Forest Centre is an open studios location. Visit this weekend to see a range of local talent! https://ashdownforest.org/artists-open-studios/

This weekend our Information Barn and Café will be open from 11am to 5pm. Public toilets (including a Changing Places facility) are open from 11am-5pm both days.

We're also open during the week from 9am-5pm (Mon-Thurs) and 9am-4.30pm (Fridays). Last orders in the café 15 minutes before closing!

As always, A BIG THANK YOU to all the volunteers who make opening up at the weekends possible - we couldn't do it without you! 🙏

🍦We serve fresh coffee (caff & decaff) and a range of teas.
🍦Why not try a slice of fresh cake? GF and vegan options are available.
🍦Now selling Jude's Ice Cream! ✨

Where to find us:
Ashdown Forest Centre, Colemans Hatch Road, Wych Cross, East Sussex, RH18 5JP
What3Words: career.discusses.scribble
Parking charges apply - pay at machine or by cash/card in the café. Annual & discounted permits available. Blue badge holders park free.

❗Advance Notice - Fun Ride❗🐴 This Sunday (6th Sept), the Ashdown Forest Riding Association will be undertaking a fun rid...
04/09/2026

❗Advance Notice - Fun Ride❗

🐴 This Sunday (6th Sept), the Ashdown Forest Riding Association will be undertaking a fun ride, beginning and ending in Box car park.

🐴 Riders will follow a 6 or 10-mile route around the South Chase (near the Airman's Grave and Garden of Eden areas).

🐴 Begins 9am, ends 2pm.

We ask that you please keep dogs under close control - ideally on a short lead - if you're walking in the area. Thank you 🐾

Ashdown Forest Riding Association

Enjoy six new walking routes on the Forest as part of our Big One Hundred celebrations!Explore the habitats of six speci...
29/08/2026

Enjoy six new walking routes on the Forest as part of our Big One Hundred celebrations!

Explore the habitats of six special species – the dormouse, the Dartford warbler, the nightjar, the green tiger beetle, the silver-studded blue butterfly, and the adder – on new family-friendly routes across the Forest.

Ranging in distance from just over one mile to just over three, there's a walk to suit all paces. Check out the routes and download a route guide on our website: https://ashdownforest.org/the-big-one-hundred-walking-trails/

Zap the QR code online or at the start of each walk for a digital route guide, or pick up a free map at the Forest Centre in Wych Cross or download it online via the link).

Collect special stamps on a card bookmark once you’ve completed each walk – drop into the Information Barn at the Forest Centre to pick up your free bookmark and get it stamped!

As part of the Big One Hundred celebrations, the introduction of these trails has been made possible thanks to the creativity of Trigger, funding from Wealden District Council and the support of The Ashdown Forest Foundation, an independent charity that is dedicated to raising vital funds for Ashdown Forest to help maintain and protect it for the next one hundred years and beyond.

🐏🐎 Grazing Update 🐎🐏New grazing enclosure - "Aspens" (Ponies & Sheep).Alongside the A275 between Chelwood Gate & Wych Cr...
28/08/2026

🐏🐎 Grazing Update 🐎🐏

New grazing enclosure - "Aspens" (Ponies & Sheep).
Alongside the A275 between Chelwood Gate & Wych Cross, opposite Churlwood car park.

Key:
● Turquoise = Reservoir car park
● Blue = Churlwood car park
● Red = A275
● Yellow = Cats Protection

To find out more about the location of all livestock grazing on Ashdown Forest, see: https://ashdownforest.org/grazing-status/

For more on how to enjoy Ashdown Forest with your dog, download our new code of conduct guide here - https://ashdownforest.org/dog-walking/ - or pick one up at the Forest Centre at Wych Cross.

⭐📱If you have WhatsApp on your mobile phone, you can keep in touch with updates like these on our WhatsApp channel. This isn't a group chat, just updates. We can't see and don't collect any contact information - simply click this link to subscribe (or scan the QR code in the photos here with your phone's camera): https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CPwU9sBI9mEBW1V0c

There was definitely a pot of gold on the Forest this evening! Or maybe just a spot of very welcome rain…
27/08/2026

There was definitely a pot of gold on the Forest this evening! Or maybe just a spot of very welcome rain…

❗Notice - Bridge Repair ❗Crooks Crossing is closed to horses and vehicles until repairs have been made. The bridge is t...
27/08/2026

❗Notice - Bridge Repair ❗

Crooks Crossing is closed to horses and vehicles until repairs have been made. The bridge is taped to restrict access, and notices have been put up locally and in advance of the bridge.

26/08/2026

Our grazing team captured this tranquil scene - the riggit galloway cattle taking a breather to cool off at Milbrook Bog 💧☀️

Address

Colemans Hatch Road, Wych Cross
Forest Row
RH185JP

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 11am - 3pm
Sunday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

+441342823583

Website

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