Ashdown Forest

25/10/2026

We hope everyone stayed safe during the recent storms and that power will soon be restored to those who lost it.

As Storm Boelo starts to blow out, your thoughts might now be turning to what to do with the kids or grandkids this half-term holiday... If you fancy stretching your legs and getting out into nature, take some inspiration from Emma and her children who have just completed all six of our new Big One Hundred themed trails!

They are the very first to have come into the Information Barn at the Forest Centre to have their free bookmarks stamped to show that they have completed:

🥾 The Adder Loop
🥾 The Dormouse Dawdle
🥾 The Nightjar Jaunt
🥾 The Silver Studded Blue Butterfly Stroll
🥾 The Dartford Warbler Wander
🥾 The Green Tiger Beetle Trail

That's an amazing 14.2 miles in total! Well done, guys!

You can start by choosing just one of the walks by picking up a free map at the Forest Centre or downloading it here: https://ashdownforest.org/the-big-one-hundred-walking-trails/

At the start of each walk you'll see a information sign with a QR code to download a detailed walking route, or you can zap the codes via the link above. The shortest walks are just over a mile and the longest just over three.

Then come into the Centre to get a bookmark and collect your stamps! And maybe treat yourself to a piece of cake or an ice-cream as a well-earned reward...?! 🌟


Wealden District Council
The Ashdown Forest Foundation
Trigger

23/10/2026

🕚 Opening times at the Forest Centre this weekend: 24th - 25th October 🕚

This weekend our Information Barn and Café will be open:

🍂Saturday: 11am to 5pm
🍂Sunday: 11am to 5pm

Public toilets (including our 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 available.
🍦Now selling Jude's Ice Cream! ✨

🎃Get into the seasonal spirit with a cinnamon latte! 🎃
(Sugar-free vanilla also available) ☕

💚 At the moment we’re getting some help from four of our Hebridean sheep - Krona, Olé, Cathie, and Coira - who are eating down our wildflower meadow. They’re in an electric-fenced enclosure just as you walk through the Forest Centre gate. As usual, please keep dogs on short leads at all times while at Centre, and please don’t feed the sheep. Thanks! 🙏

Where to find us:
Ashdown Forest Centre, Colemans Hatch Road, Wych Cross, East Sussex, RH18 5JP

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Parking charges apply - pay at machine or by cash/card in the café. Annual & discounted permits available. Blue badge holders park free.

22/10/2026

🌟 We're hiring! 🌟

Would you like to be part of the team that is responsible for one of southern England's most important wildlife sites?

Ashdown Forest has an exciting opportunity to appoint a new Administration Manager, a position central to coordinating office activities and administrative responsibilities associated with managing Ashdown Forest. The role will support the CEO and team in ensuring the effective delivery of associated activities. The role will oversee the management of the business cycle and ensure compliance with legal matters and a range of associated licensing, with support from an external solicitor when necessary.

To download a full job description and application form, visit https://ashdownforest.org/about-us/work-for-us/

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 15th November 2026. No agencies please.

Are passionate about conservation, and looking to join a friendly, proactive team? Search for our current vacancies here.

20/10/2026

🐑 Grazing update 🐑

The Commoners are in the process of removing their sheep from the Forest. If you spot any sheep in the grazing enclosure* on the South Chase, please report the sighting and location (a What3Words location is ideal) via 07900 901812.

*This is the permanently-fenced area of the Forest which straddles the Crowborough Road between Nutley and Duddleswell, highlighted in the lighter green colour on the map shared here.

Please be aware that the Conservators' livestock will remain in other areas of the Forest for the time being. Updates on their locations can be found at https://ashdownforest.org/grazing-status/

Thank you!

20/10/2026

😋 Update! Voting has now closed and counting the results here and on our other socials, the picks for this half-term are:

- Pear & ginger cake
- Cinnamon swirl cake (GF)
- Fruit cake

These delicious fresh cakes will be baked by the lovely Karen from Baketastic and delivered to the centre on Tuesday afternoon (27 Oct).

We hope you’ll enjoy trying out these new delicious flavours. Our regular traditional, vegan, and GF options will be available too (all subject to availability).

Thank you to everyone who voted!

We’re open from 9-5 Monday to Thursday, and 9-4.30 on Friday. At weekends we’re currently open from 11-5pm, but check the news page on our website for any weekly changes. All last food and drinks orders 15 minutes before closing.

Find us at:
The Ashdown Forest Centre, Colemans Hatch Road, Wych Cross, East Sussex, RH18 5JP

🍂Cake Announcement🍁

This half term, have your say about first-time cake flavours in the Visitor Centre café!

Comment below the number beside your chosen seasonal flavour, and we'll count them up and serve the three most popular:

🧁Cinnamon Swirl (1)
🧁Fruit Cake (2)
🧁Pear and Ginger Cake (3)
🧁 Biscoff Cake (4)
🧁 Rocky Road & Crunchie Traybake (5)

We'll announce the winners in time for the weekend, and they'll be available to enjoy by next Tuesday afternoon! ☕

Bring along your family and friends, enjoy an autumnal stroll and pop by for a cinnamon latte with a slice of a brand new flavour 🍰

(We will ensure that at least one gluten free or vegan option is available from the above and our regular options).

17/10/2026

17/10/2026

Tune into BBC Radio 4 this afternoon at 3pm to listen to a play written by Edward Kemp, Chief Executive of the Royal Literary Fund, about Ashdown Forest and how the real life Christopher Robin Milne helped save the Forest from two also very real threats…

Catch up on BBC Sounds if you miss the live airing.

By Edward Kemp. With Robert Bathurst as Christopher Robin Milne.

17/10/2026

Members of our NextGen Group were hosted by the Ashdown Bird Group for the autumn outing to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve last Sunday 🍂🔭

It was a fabulous day of birding: Peregrine Falcon, Sparrowhawk, Golden Plover, Brent Goose, Wheatear, Kingfisher, Curlew, Redshank & much more! 🦆

If you're an 18-25 year old looking to gain experience and skills in the environmental sector prior to employment, please head to our website to apply: https://ashdownforest.org/about-us/work-for-us/ 🌿