Ashdown Forest — Attraction in Rother

Decided to go for a frosty walk in Ashdown Forest today, to put it bluntly it's beautiful. There are trails that are fairly easy to follow but it's not too overwhelming to simply wander into the brush. Felt ancient and calm, even with an excited 8yo lad. I like that it isn't overly signposted or with dumb stuff that's unnecessary everywhere. There were a few dogwalkers, as expected, but to be honest we maybe saw 3 or 4 people in the 3hrs we were wandering around. There were clear signs of wildlife everywhere, deer tracks and bird nests etc however I think the cold was keeping them well hidden. Spotted some robins and small birds though which was cute. Looking forward to making a return visit when Spring hits and even more excited to pop back during mushroom season. The logs and fallen trees are largely left where they lay in Ashdown and it looks like a perfect environment for mushrooms, unlike most other woods in the UK, which are more strictly managed. There were a load of decent trees and a wide mix of genus and ages. Some really decent climbers there for kids too. Avoided all the winnie the pooh stuff but found a lovely little frozen stream. Imagine there's potential for a real muddy walk there on days a tad warmer and wetter than today's sub zero temps. I also imagine there's a lot of gems to be uncovered and discovered there. After 3hrs it felt like there was still a lifetime of places to explore there. I can see the car parks potentially getting filled up but I guess its much better that way spreading visitors out than having one car park of a hundred spaces. Personally after todays visit I'm planning on becoming a...

Beautiful region of the Sussex countryside, with a varied, but always scenic, landscape. From expanses of open heathland with sweeping views to the South Downs, and distinctive Scots Pine plantations atop the "clumps", to hidden waterfalls in wooded valleys; there's an abundance of places to explore. The area is well known for inspiring A A Milne's Winnie The Pooh stories, and the picturesque villages and "Pooh Sticks Bridge" attract many visitors. Look off the beaten path, and there's some of the best countryside in southeast England, with a couple of delightful waterfalls (but only after a period of heavy rain) and sweeping heather and gorse clad hills. Sandy soil is interspersed with muddy areas, so robust footwear is recommended if you're heading out on a hike. There are numerous trails leading across the heathland, so a good day can easily be spent enjoying the outdoors here. The only downside is that all the parking areas are now charged in advance, with payment only available by phone. The site is fairly simple to use after scanning a QR code, but you have to decide how long to stay at the beginning of your visit. Payment does, however, entitle you to use any of the parking areas under the same management, so I'd recommend a full day ticket to make the most. For such a special place,...

Beautiful walks and plenty of trails to follow for all abilities. A circular route starting from Black Hill car park worked really well. There are lots of car parks dotted across the forest and they’re fairly close together, so it’s easy to shape a route that fits the time or distance you’re after. The trails themselves aren’t signposted, so having a map may help, though most paths loop back on themselves, so there’s not much chance of getting lost, and feels like a little adventure discovering the different trails.

There are some lovely little nods to Winnie the Pooh scattered throughout, which would be fun for kids, but they add a bit of charm for anyone. A few sections feel like proper “enchanted woods,” and I saw a few deer and a couple of hares along the way! Nice quiet moments that make the walk memorable.

Definitely worth bringing a picnic and making a day of it. There are loads of peaceful spots to stop and take in the views. Parking is reasonable at £5 for the whole day (at the time of writing this) and free for disabled...