The Ashdown Forest Centre in Wych Cross is the headquarters of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest. A small team of staff are employed by the Conservators to look after the Forest – to protect, conserve and enhance the nature and culture of Ashdown Forest as the largest biodiverse heathland and open space in Sussex for the enjoyment, education, health and recreation of all.
The Forest Centre is also a place for visitors to enjoy.
Here, you will find toilets (including a Changing Places facility), the Information Barn, where you can pick up a map or walking leaflet as well as a range of gifts and souvenirs, and a café, offering a range of hot and cold beverages including delicious Fairtrade coffee and a selection of snacks. In the summer, visitors can also make use of picnic tables located under the canopy of the Centre’s ancient woodland.
The Information Barn – a threshing barn thought to predate 1750 – is known for its many wonderful attributes and charm, more recently enhanced by the addition of a new panoramic window and decking area, from where visitors can enjoy stunning views across the heathland.
A number of events are held throughout the year either at the Forest Centre or out on the Forest itself, including guided walks, craft workshops, family activities, and our popular annual Winter’s Day event. See the Forest’s website (link below) for what’s on.
Dogs are more than welcome to visit the Centre (on short leads). If you are venturing out onto the Forest with a dog, please be sure to keep paws on paths to help protect the Forest’s rare species of ground nesting birds. Thank you!
Where to find us
Ashdown Forest Centre, Colemans Hatch Road, Wych Cross, East Sussex, RH18 5JP
(Please note the post code is shared with several other properties in the same area and Sat Navs may direct you to the wrong location.)
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Want to know more?
Head to the official Ashdown Forest Website: https://ashdownforest.org/
Contact Conservators@ashdownforest.org or call 01342 823583 for general enquiries.
Opening Times:
Picnic area and toilets
Monday – Thursday from 9am – 5pm
Friday from 9am – 4.30pm
Weekends & bank holidays from 10am – 5pm
Information Barn & café
Monday – Thursday from 9am – 5pm
Friday from 9am – 4.30pm
Weekends & bank holidays from 11am – 5pm*
* We rely on the availability of our wonderful volunteer team, so opening hours are subject to weekly change. Please check our news page for updates: https://ashdownforest.org/news/
LANDSCAPE PHOTOS: Craig Payne – www.craigpayne.co.uk
CAFÉ AND VISITOR CENTRE PHOTOS – Lucy Brennan – lbrennanphotography (Instagram) LBrennanPhotographer (Facebook)
Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5JP
01342 823583
