Campsites near Ashdown Forest
Hit up this patch of heathland for horse riding, hiking, and sprawling views.
- Ashdown Forest
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Campsites near Ashdown Forest guide
Overview
Wedged between London and England’s southeast coast, peaceful Ashdown Forest was founded back in Norman times as a hunting ground, and is famously the home of AA Milne’s beloved fictional bear Winnie the Pooh. Now it’s part of the magical, 580-square-mile High Weald AONB, with spectacular elevated views of the North and South Downs, making it one of the most rewarding pockets of southern England for outdoor adventurers. Though you can’t pitch up within the forest itself, there are plenty of nearby camping and glamping choices. With luck, you’ll spot deer and other wild creatures, and fragrant heather and rhododendrons burst into bloom in spring.
Where to go
Wych Cross & West Ashdown Forest
Whether you fancy cycling over the hills, tracking down Roman ruins, or a long hike with a country pub at the end, Ashdown Forest is a back-to-nature delight. The villages of Wych Cross and Crowborough mark its western and eastern flanks. The perfect place to start your explorations is the official Forest Centre near Wych Cross, which has the lowdown on the best woodland walking and archaeology routes, as well as paths weaving straight out into the heath with its dazzling North Downs views.
North Ashdown Forest
Renowned English author AA Milne once lived on the northern fringes of Ashdown Forest, near Hartfield and Forest Row, and campers will love following in his footsteps through its eerie wooded expanses. Some of Milne’s most popular “Winnie the Pooh” locations dot the area, including a bridge across the River Medway and the misty 500 Acre Wood, with walking trails meandering between them. In addition, local operators also offer horse rides, cycling routes run through beech forests, and delicious farm shops sit ready for stocking up on local treats.
South Ashdown Forest
Some of Ashdown Forest’s most thrilling hiking trails sprawl around the villages of Duddleswell and Nutley, on the southern fringes. History lovers will want to tackle the route to a World War II memorial, while photographers should take in the fabulous panoramas across the South Downs to the chalk-cliff coastline. The camping and glamping sites sprinkled near here are among the area’s best—set up camp on an organic farm or a cider orchard, or book into an off-grid yurt.
High Weald AONB
Beyond Ashdown Forest, the High Weald AONB sprawls from Winchester in Hampshire to Hastings on the East Sussex coast. It’s packed with adventure activities, whether you’re keen to hike around the heathlands, kayak across a lake, or try some SUP yoga.
