A HERITAGE RICH IN HUMAN HISTORYThe Forest is full of archaeological evidence of prehistoric human life, with the earliest indications of occupation dating back 50,000 years.
People Also Ask
The commoners played an important role in maintaining the forest as a predominantly heathland area by exercising their rights of common to exploit its resources in a variety of ways: by grazing livestock such as pigs and cattle, which suppressed the growth of trees and scrub; by cutting trees for firewood and for other ...
The word 'forest' does not actually imply covered with trees but derives from the name for a royal hunting area with special laws to protect deer. Ashdown Forest became part of the Duchy of Lancaster when Edward III granted the hunting park to his son, John of Gaunt in 1372.
A SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST, A SPECIAL PROTECTION AREA FOR BIRDS, AND A SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION FOR ITS HEATHS. Ashdown Forest is also part of the European Natura 2000 network as it hosts some of Europe's most threatened species and habitats.
Ashdown Forest has introduced paid parking on all our car parks. For some years we have experienced increasing numbers of visitors and decreasing levels of funding.