Ashdown Forest is the legendary Hundred Acre Wood and draws visitors from across the world, inspired to follow in Pooh's footsteps.
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The Hundred Acre Wood is based on a real place: Ashdown Forest in Sussex, England. Located just 30 miles south of London, Ashdown Forest is a quiet, peaceful landscape marked by heather and silver birch with hilltop clumps of pine trees.
Ashdown Forest is famous as the setting for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, written by A. A. Milne. The first book, Winnie-the-Pooh, was published in 1926 with illustrations by E. H. Shepard. The second book, The House at Pooh Corner, also illustrated by Shepard, was published in 1928.
The Forest is at the heart of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has national and international protection because of its wildlife. Nearly two thirds of its 6500 acres (2500 hectares) are heathland, amounting to 2.5% of the UK's extent of this rare habitat.
The Hundred Acre Wood is based on a real place: Ashdown Forest in Sussex, England. Located just 30 miles south of London, Ashdown Forest is a quiet, peaceful landscape marked by heather and silver birch with hilltop clumps of pine trees.
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.
Ashdown Forest contains one of the largest single continuous blocks of lowland heath in south-east England, with both 4030 European dry heaths and, in a larger proportion, wet heath.
Living in the ForestThere are more than 700 'commoners' – people who have ancient rights, such as grazing animals or wood cutting, attached to their land or property. In addition, there are many more residents with access tracks that cross the Forest to reach their homes, and lots of small businesses.
Some of Ashdown's woodland is older than the house itself, and it's open to everyone, whether you're a National Trust member or not. There's a tree trail to follow as you take in the tranquil surroundings and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.
Having an Ashdown Forest Riding Permit gives you access to over 75 miles of varied and beautiful riding. You can easily ride all day. Riding is by permit only, and every horse must display a valid badge.
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.