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Ashdown ForestAshdown forest covers some 2,700 hectares, and is what is left of the ancient forest of Andredsweald. Today it is a place of peace and quiet - but it was not always so. The Celts who had settled around the edge of the forest began mining iron, and cut paths into the forest for this purpose. Later on, the Romans cut down extensive areas of the forest and built large ironworks and tile works in the clearings, but the forest at this time was too dense and forbidding for anyone to settle in it. Later on the Saxons began to settle on the forest, and their influence can be seen in the endings of many of the place names. During the 18th century it was the home of smugglers, and was a very dangerous place. Today the ironworks, tileworks and smugglers are long gone, and the forest is again a place of peace and quiet. The forest is part of the High Weald AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), and is also an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and an SPA (Special Protected Area). There is an extensive range of flora and fauna on the forest, including the marsh gentian, as well as deer, sheep and cows. There are many footpaths across the forest, and a detailed map of these is available from the Ashdown Forest Centre at Wych Cross, Forest Row, RH18 5JP, telephone 01342 823583. The whole area of the forest is open for walking, but horse-riding is confined to the bridle paths and is by prior permit only. There are close connections with the much-loved children's story character Winnie-the-Pooh. His creator, A.A.Milne lived at Cotchford Farm, and drew inspiration for his stories from the forest. At The Enchanted Place near Gills Lap, (Galleons Lap in the books), there is a plaque in his honour, and nearby are the sixty-something trees in a circle, and the sandy pit where Roo plays. Further away, but within walking distance, is Poohsticks Bridge. In the neighbouring village of Hartfield is a shop, Pooh Corner Gift Shop, dedicated to Pooh memorabilia. For more information about the forest and its life, visit the Ashdown Forest web-site. Click here to read the Ashdown Forest Code by The JavaScript Source |
