Ashdown Forest
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You are entitled to walk
anywhere on the common land of Ashdown Forest at any time. The
“common land” is that area managed by the
Conservators and is best identified by reference to the Forest Map and
Guide which can be obtained from the Forest Information Centre (priced
£2.20). If you
don’t have a map, it is generally safe to assume that if you
walk out from any Forest car-park you will remain on the Forest until
you come to a boundary fence. A notable exception is the grazing
enclosure fence but it is usually clear that the land on the other side
of the fence is a continuation of the common land.
All Forest activities are subject to the constraints imposed by the Ashdown Forest Act 1974
and the Byelaws made
under the Act.
Frequently asked questions
about what you may do on Ashdown Forest
»
Can I sell teas/ice-creams/burgers from the Forest car-parks?
» How can I find out if the cattle and sheep are out? » I’ve seen someone cutting trees down. Is this permitted? » I want to use the Forest for still photography. How do I arrange this? » I want to use the Forest for a film shoot. How do I arrange this? » How do I pay for an estate agent for sale sign or builders board? You may park in any of the
fifty designated car-parks scattered around the Forest. No vehicles may
be parked on the Forest after midnight. Please make sure you lock your car and take any valuables with you.
Anywhere on the common
managed by the Conservators plus Public Footpaths and Bridleways.
There are several places on
the Forest - try the Duddleswell Tea-Rooms, the Hybrid
Tea at Wych Cross Nurseries, the cafe at the Llama Park or the Ashdown
Forest Garden Centre at Duddleswell. Click here to see our useful
contacts page.
Yes, as long as it is under
control and
not annoying other Forest users or disturbing animals/birds.
In England, the public have open access to 3,269 sq miles where most activities can take place, however, there are special rules for dog walkers which require dogs be kept on a lead of no more than 2 metres long between 1st March and 31st July - the main breeding period for ground-nesting birds or at any time of the year near livestock. Leads are specified as even the best trained dog may become unresponsive. Please see the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 about the control of dogs on common land which can be found be clicking here. Please be aware that there are sheep in the grazing area from April to October and DOGS MUST BE ON A LEAD. There are also close hereded shepherded Hebridean sheep out all year round with our shepherd. The flock could be anywhere on the Forest, however, notices will be posted to warn you where they are. You can also check the Sheep Blog or call the Office. The shepherd welcomes visits from dog walkers - if your dog is on a lead please feel free to visit the flock. Every year sheep are attacked and seriously maimed or often killed by dogs that are out of control on the Forest. A farmer has the right to shoot dogs seen attacking their sheep. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!
Yes, subject to obtaining a permit from the Office. Permits are either issued for six-months or one year. Badge colours and numbers change annually. We are not currently able to issue day permits. An annual permit runs from 1st April 2009 to 31 March 2010. They do not run for a year from the date you take them out! Badges returned by Monday 2nd November 2009 will count as a ‘summer’ permit and will qualify for a partial refund as detailed under ‘permit fees’ on the application form. There will be no refunds on badges returned AFTER Monday 2nd November 2009. Refunds will not be made under any other circumstances. Winter permits will still be available running from 31st September 2009 to 31 March 2010. If you are renewing your permit please remember to return your old badge with your application form. Please note: the postage required is a second class large letter stampand anything less is subject to an excess charge. This year we will not be paying the excess charges and the Post office will open the letter and return it to you - this can take up to sis weeks. Click here to download a riding permit application form for 2009-2010. Forms will begin to be processed and posted in the last week of March. Click here to see the location of car parks suitable for horse boxes (this is a large file). The complete Forest Map, which shows the fire braks that can be used for riding and the bridle path is available from the Forest Centre for £2.20. There are several organisations which take out rides over the Forest. Click here to see our useful contacts page. Click here to go to the Ashdown Forest Riding Association and download an AFRA membership form. No. The Conservators have
decided that mountain-biking is an activity incompatible with
maintaining the Forest as a quiet and natural area. (You can ride your
bike along the Forest Way cycle route at Forest Row or at Deersleap
Park, East Grinstead)
No. The
Byelaws prohibit
camping due to the problems of fire and litter. However there are
campsites nearby at St Ives Farm, Heaven Farm, Goldsmiths Recreation
Ground Crowborough and Waspbourne Manor Farm near Sheffield Park.
Picnics are fine; cooking
stoves may be used in car-parks between July and December, when the
fire risk tends to be low; barbeques are prohibited at all times due to
the problem of disposal of hot coals.
Fliying
is restricted to members of the Sky Larks Aircraft
Society and to members of the British Model Flying Association who
hold a valid membership card. For more details click here.
Certainly.
School groups are now taught by Sussex Wildlife teachers rather than
Forest Rangers. Please go to the home page and look at the education
section or ring the Office for more information and prices.
All organised events require
permission from the Conservators; contact the Office.
All organised events require
permission from the Conservators; contact the Office.
No, the Byelaws specifically
forbid disturbance of the surface of the soil.
No, the only retailing
allowed on the Forest is authorised by the Conservators and limited to
ice-creams; the ice-cream licence comes up for tender every three years.
Cattle and
sheep normally go out to graze on the Forest in early April
and would normally come off again by Remembrence Sunday. Due to foot
and mouth restrictions this may not always be the case. Please check
with the office.
Very
possibly. Commoners
(people who have Rights of Common over the Forest) have a right of
estovers (firewood) on the Forest. If you’re in doubt, ring the
Office. To find out more about current arrangements for wood permits
please visit the home page.
If a photograph is for your own
personal, private use, there is no need to contact us. However, if you
intend to publish a photograph, for any purpose and in any media, please contact the
Office to arrange for written permission and pay the fee.
Estate agents and builders boardsI want to use the Forest as a location for a film shoot. How do I arrange this? All moving films, for television and cinema or action shots for magazines, require written permission. Please contact the
Office to arrange for permission and pay the fee.
The erection of estate agents
for sale signs and builders advertising boards require written
permisson. Please call the Office to find out if the property is
located on Ashdown Forest or if the road side/verge you intend to use
is Forest land. An application form is available from the downloads
section of this website. Any boards that do not have poermission
may be removed.
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