The Ashdown Forest
Where is Ashdown Forest?
Ashdown Forest is an area of open heathland and woodland situated in the heart of Sussex. It is located in the middle of the county with East Grinstead to the north, Crowborough to the east, Uckfield to the south and Haywards Heath to the west. The Forest now comprises about 6500 acres of open access land with some of the wildest landscape in south east England. The Forest is owned by East Sussex County Council and managed by a Board of Conservators. It's a great place for a day out and there are more than 50 free car parks. You can park in any one of these and walk for miles around the Forest and explore the woods and heathland.
The History of the Forest
Ashdown Forest was created 900 years ago as a hunting ground for deer. Hunting continued to be the main purpose of the Forest throughout the mediaeval period. Traditionally the Forest was grazed by sheep and cattle belonging to ‘Commoners' and it was this grazing which maintained the traditional heathland landscape. The Forest is now much more wooded than it was 100 years ago. The Forest was surrounded by a ‘pale', a ditch and bank which allowed deer to enter but not leave. Entrances into the Forest through the ‘pale' were at ‘hatches' (for people on foot) or ‘gates' (for livestock). These are still reflected in place names such as Coleman's Hatch and Chelwood Gate.
Why is the Forest heathland important?
Heathland is important for the unique range of plant and animal species which live there. It is characterised by ling and heather (which are in bloom and look their best in August) as well as gorse bushes and silver birch trees. All these plants thrive in the shallow acidic soil of the area.
There is very little heathland left in south east England, and Ashdown Forest is the largest and best preserved area. That is why it is so important to preserve the heathland of Ashdown Forest.
The heathland looks particularly spectacular in August when the heather and ling are in flower. But the Forest looks beautiful at any time of the year, even in the winter. There are wonderful views from the various viewpoints looking north towards the North Downs, or south towards the South Downs.
The Conservators of Ashdown Forest are responsible for the management of the Forest and their great challenge is to maintain the unique heathland landscape and prevent it from being taken over by scrub and trees. Over the last 100 years the number of sheep and cattle grazing the Forest has declined and this is why the Forest is much more wooded than previously. In order to encourage more grazing of the Forest over 1000 acres of Forest have now been enclosed with a fence to protect the sheep and cattle from straying on to the busy roads.
Winnie the Pooh
Ashdown Forest is perhaps most well known for its connection with Winnie the Pooh. In 1925 successful author A. A. Milne and his family went to live on a farm near Hartfield. Milne was inspired to write the Winnie-The-Pooh stories by his son, Christopher Robin's, teddy bear and other stuffed toys, and their adventures in the wild landscape of Ashdown Forest. Several of the sites mentioned in the books can still be recognised on the Forest though their geography is strictly fictional; Five Hundred Acre Wood became 100 Aker Wood and Gills Lap became Galleons Leap. Close by Gills Lap is where A.A. Milne's son, Christopher, chose to erect a plaque in commemoration of his father and the illustrator of the books, E. H. Sheppard. Other Pooh sites close by are Eeyore's Sad and Gloomy Place, Roo's Sandy Pit and the North Pole. The most famous Pooh Site is Pooh Bridge where Pooh and Christopher Robin learned to play Pooh Sticks. The bridge is situated about half a mile from the Pooh car park. If you plan to visit Pooh Bridge and other Pooh sites please remember that there are no visitor facilities there (toilets, tearoom, shop etc).
The first Pooh book, Winnie-The-Pooh was published in 1926. Milne wrote another three Pooh books over the next few years. These books are favourites with people of all ages and nationalities and have been translated into numerous languages. The characters of Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Kanga, Eeyore, Owl and Rabbit are loved the world over. The original stuffed toys are now in the New York Public Library, except Roo who mysteriously disappeared.
A map of the Pooh sites can be obtained from the ‘Pooh Corner' shop in Hartfield, and a free Ashdown Forest Map is available at Wych Cross from the Ashdown Forest Centre and the Tourist Information Centre at Ashdown Forest Llama Park.
When visiting Ashdown Forest please follow the Countryside Code and respect the plants and wildlife of the Forest.
Visitor Facilities in Ashdown Forest
There are Public Toilets at the Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross and in Hartfield Road, Forest Row Village.
Places to Visit in Ashdown Forest
The Ashdown Forest Centre
This is the administrative centre of the Forest. The Information Barn at the Forest Centre is the best place to learn about the history and wildlife of the Forest. Admission free.
Opening times:
Weekends/Bank Holidays
11am - 5pm
Weekdays 1st April - 30th Sept 2pm - 5pm
Tel: 01342 823583
www.ashdownforest.org
Ashdown Forest Llama Park
Here you can see over 100 llamas and alpacas and three reindeer in a spectacular setting with far reaching views across the Forest. There is a farm walk, picnic area and adventure play area. Also an alpaca knitwear and South American craft shop and coffee shop.
There is an admission charge to the Park but not to the Shop and Coffee Shop
Open Daily 10am - 5pm, except 25/26 Dec & 1st Jan.
Tel: 01825 712040
Article written for Summer 2008 issue by
Linda Johnson, Ashdown Forest Llama Park (see contact details above)
Linda is also Chairman of the Ashdown Forest Tourism Association
www.ashdownforest.com
Read this article about Ashdown Forest in The Independent (August 2007)
