Is Ashdown Forest common land?

In 1693, more than half the forest was taken into private hands, with the remainder set aside as common land. The latter today covers 9.5 square miles (25 km2; 6,100 acres; 2,500 ha) and is the largest area with open public access in South East England.



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Covering over 10 square miles, Ashdown Forest is one of the largest open access areas in Southeast England.

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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.

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There are ten walks of 2-3 miles to choose from and, for the more adventurous hikers, there is a 14 mile circular route which visits the iconic Scots Pine clumps across the Forest. The walks leaflets and Forest map are available from the Forest Centre or can be downloaded HERE.

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To become a commoner you essentially have to buy some land that comes with the right to common on the new forest. Commoners are those who occupy land or property to which privileges known as 'rights of common' are attached, which includes the right to graze stock on the Open Forest.

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There are public toilets and a wheelchair-accessible toilet (no hoist) at the Forest Centre.

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The car parks will be managed by Horizon Parking and visitors will be charged £2 for one hour, £2.50 for up to two hours, £4 for up to four hours and £5 to park all day. An annual pass is also available for £80 and a 6 month 'Winter pass' is £50 (both these passes cover 2 vehicles from the same household).

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