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.

The first Honey-buzzard chick has arrived!First sighting of the new arrival was at approximately 08:40 this morning. A c...
23/06/2026

The first Honey-buzzard chick has arrived!

First sighting of the new arrival was at approximately 08:40 this morning. A couple of hours earlier we had seen interesting behaviour from both parents, so we thought something might be happening...!

Hopefully a second chick will follow. You can follow events as they happen on the livestream available on our website here - https://ashdownforest.org/honey-buzzard-livecam/ - and also via the SOS website.

You can now also watch the feed from a screen in the Information Barn at the Ashdown Forest Centre in Wych Cross.

The livestream could not be possible without the technical and ecological knowledge of Wildlife Windows, who designed and installed the camera – the livestream runs off their YouTube channel.

We are also immensely grateful to all the funders and local landowners who are supporting this project:

Friends of Ashdown Forest
The Ashdown Forest Foundation
The Smew Fund via Kent Community Foundation
The Sussex Ornithological Society

If you would like to help fund more projects like this, you can be a supporter too via the donate button on the livestream page. Thank you in advance for your support!

22/06/2026

❌ Due to current high temperatures, this Wednesday's Health Walk has been cancelled.

These weekly one-hour guided walks ordinarily take place every Wednesday at 10.30am from locations across the Forest. To join future walks, arrive in time to leave at 10am from the following car parks:

🥾 1st Weds of month: Broadstone car park, Coleman’s Hatch Road; approx postcode RH18 5JP; What3words arriving.poses.dwarf

🥾 2nd Weds of month: Long car park, A22 Wych Cross Road; approx. postcode RH18 5JN; What3words pigs.nest.tradition

🥾 3rd Weds of month: Box car park, Crowborough Road; approx postcode TN22 3JA; What3words solo.hike.users

🥾 4th Weds of month: Four Counties car park, B2026 High Road; approx postcode TN22 3JD; What3words abandons.combining.using

🥾 5th Weds (if there is one): Millbrook East car park, A22 Millbrook Hill; approx postcode TN22 3PJ; What3words koala.cloak.lilac

Free parking during the walks is offered to Health Walk participants.

Thank you to all the fantastic volunteers who lead these walks! 👏

Today's Youth Volunteer Group session involved clearing some of the bracken from the heathland outside the Visitor Centr...
21/06/2026

Today's Youth Volunteer Group session involved clearing some of the bracken from the heathland outside the Visitor Centre. 😁

After a rather hot stint, the group retreated inside and made willow spirals.

Great work, team! 🙌

If you’re age 13-17, find out more about this monthly meet up and book a free place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/youth-volunteer-group-tickets-457052966727

19/06/2026

Keeping cool on Ashdown Forest… Exmoor pony plunge pool! 😎

Are you or do you know someone aged 13-17 looking to develop an interest, skills, and experience in conservation, have f...
19/06/2026

Are you or do you know someone aged 13-17 looking to develop an interest, skills, and experience in conservation, have fun outdoors and meet other like-minded young people? If so, join our Youth Volunteer Group at the Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, from 12-3pm this Sunday. Book on via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/youth-volunteer-group-tickets-457052966727

The Youth Volunteers meet up on the third Sunday of each month and undertake tasks including habitat management, wildlife surveying and path maintenance, learning about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Ashdown Forest whilst helping to conserve these.

Drum roll please! 🥁As temperatures rise, come to the Visitor Centre to cool down with a tub of locally-sourced ice-cream...
19/06/2026

Drum roll please! 🥁

As temperatures rise, come to the Visitor Centre to cool down with a tub of locally-sourced ice-cream (dairy and oat options) or sorbet – or perhaps a tub of doggy ice-cream for your four-legged friend!

We’re delighted to be serving Downsview Farmhouse products, with ice-cream made using fresh milk from their own East Sussex-based herd. Each recyclable 120ml tub comes with its own wooden spoon – with the exception of doggy ice-cream for which only a tongue is needed!

If a hot drink is more your cup of tea, we are now also serving fresh decaffeinated cafetière coffee and organic fairtrade decaf tea.

A selection of fresh cakes and traybakes, snacks, chilled juices and water, teas, and coffee are also available.

This weekend (20th & 21st June) our Information Barn and Café will be open from 11am to 5pm. Public toilets are open from 11am-5pm both days. A BIG thank you to all the volunteers who make opening up at the weekends possible - we couldn't do it without you! 🙏

We're also open during the week from 9am-5pm (Mon-Thurs) and 9am-4.30pm (Fridays).

We look forward to welcoming you! 🍵🍦🍰

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.

We are devastated to report that there have been five dog attacks on sheep on the South Chase in the last month, with sh...
18/06/2026

We are devastated to report that there have been five dog attacks on sheep on the South Chase in the last month, with sheep viciously mauled and mutilated.

In the worst of these attacks, a sheep was attacked by a Golden Retriever, an ordinarily well-behaved family dog. We cannot show the photo of that here as it is too graphic. Suffice it to say, the sheep suffered greatly and had to be euthanised. The owners of the dog were completely shocked by what their dog was capable of.

This incident serves as a important reminder that every dog - no matter what its breed, past history, or known temperament - has the potential to attack sheep and other livestock, often leading to fatalities.

A new law introduced this year strengthens protections for livestock, including unlimited fines for dog attacks on farm animals. All dog owners can make sure these attacks never happen. Here's what you can do:

* Make sure your garden is secure – many livestock-worrying incidents happen when dogs escape from their homes.
* Always use a lead around livestock (but drop the lead if chased by cattle).
* Check the Forest’s current grazing status before planning your dog walk (see below for link).
* Keep your dog with you and in sight at all times when out and about.
* Practise that recall – if your dog doesn’t come back when called, use a lead or long line.

For more on how to enjoy Ashdown Forest with your dog, download our new code of conduct guide here: https://ashdownforest.org/dog-walking/

Check where livestock are grazing on Ashdown Forest: https://ashdownforest.org/grazing-status/

Thank you for helping keep the livestock safe from harm.

📷 This photo is from a dog attack in the South Chase in 2023. There have been far too many attacks since then. Let's make it ZERO from now on. Thank you. 🙏

The gate onto the Forest at Boringwheel Mill on Cackle Street, Nutley, is closed temporarily for maintenance work and wi...
16/06/2026

The gate onto the Forest at Boringwheel Mill on Cackle Street, Nutley, is closed temporarily for maintenance work and will be repaired as soon as possible.

In the meantime, pedestrians can access via a stile, while riders should use the gate at the end of Cackle Street near the junction with the B2026.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Ashdown Forest Riding Association

Come and be part of the Big One Hundred experience here at Ashdown Forest in July as a volunteer! Follow the shared post...
16/06/2026

Come and be part of the Big One Hundred experience here at Ashdown Forest in July as a volunteer!

Follow the shared post for more information, or dive straight in by signing up as an 'Event Management' volunteer here: https://ashdownforest.org/volunteer-with-us/

We'd love you to be part of the team!

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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