Welcome
Covering over 10 square miles, Ashdown Forest is one of the largest open access areas in Southeast England. Situated within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its lowland heathland and deciduous woodland habitats are home to many rare and threatened species.
A registered charity, the Ashdown Forest Foundation was set up in 2019 to raise vital funds to help protect this jewel in the crown of the Sussex landscape for current and future generations.
TV and radio presenter Katie Derham shares her view on the importance of protecting this very special location.
What we do
Our mission is to raise awareness and funds to conserve and enhance the Forest for enjoyment, education, health, and recreation for now and generations to come.
Known to millions as the magical landscape that inspired one of the world’s best loved children’s stories, Winnie-the-Pooh, without your help Ashdown Forest as we know and love it will not survive. We invite you to help us preserve and enhance this beautiful Forest for all, for the future.
How to support us
There are many ways to support The Ashdown Forest Foundation, from individual or corporate donations to gifts in memory; from setting up a long-term legacy gift to taking part in the weekly Wealden lottery. Or perhaps you would like to donate your time as a volunteer?
In whatever way you choose to support us, no matter how big or small your gift, your contribution will play a vital role in helping to increase and protect this rare lowland heathland habitat and its endangered wildlife, to improve biodiversity and bio-abundance, and to conserve this beautiful landscape for public enjoyment and recreation, raising the quality of life and well-being in the community.
James’ Walk
James Adler was former Chief Executive of Ashdown Forest. James died suddenly in May 2023 at the age of 42. In the short time that he was in role, James was instrumental in developing the vision for Ashdown Forest’s future, focusing on the protection and enhancement of its unique landscape. James was passionate about the Forest and had been working on a strategy to safeguard Ashdown Forest and its biodiversity for future generations.
Between 25th-28th April 2024, a group of James’ family, friends and colleagues walked along the Weald to Waves corridor, starting at Climping beach on the south coast and ending on Ashdown Forest in the High Weald. The group was joined by more than 150 people for a celebration of James’ life at a gathering under the iconic Friends Clump on the Forest. The walk has so far raised more than £6,000 for The Ashdown Forest Foundation. A big thank you to everyone who supported this epic walk and made a donation to a fund set up in James’ name.
