A selection of AFOS artists (left to right): Liz Padgham-Major, Lesley Mackenzie, Sally Grafton, Ben Stevenson, Denise Fisk.

The very first Ashdown Forest Open Studios takes place this September and will see more than 80 Sussex artists and makers open their doors across 20 venues in and around Ashdown Forest.  As a part of the event, local artists have generously donated work to a Charity Auction to be held at the Ashdown Forest Centre from the 5th-6th September.

For the past 16 years, Crowborough Open Studios has been supporting and celebrating local artists.  And in 2026 it seemed natural to expand the Open Studios event to Ashdown Forest during the centenary of the first publication of Winnie-the-Pooh, the Forest’s most famous (and cherished) inhabitant.  Inspired by the Forest the books were written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard who both lived and worked near Ashdown Forest.

Ashdown Forest Open Studios (AFOS) celebrates the unique and special landscape that draws artists, writers and makers to this beautiful part of Sussex.   The event will showcase everything from painting and ceramics to textiles, glass and sculpture with demonstrations and workshops at selected studios.

Ashdown Forest Open Studios runs from 4th September to the 6th September and a full calendar of events can be found on the Open Studios website alongside more information about the artists, workshops and the charity auction.

The Ashdown Forest Charity Auction

Many of the participating artists have generously donated a piece of their work to go up for silent auction to raise funds for the Ashdown Forest Foundation.  An exhibition of donated work can be viewed at the Ashdown Forest Centre on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September from 10am to 5pm.

Proceeds from the auction will enable the Ashdown Forest Foundation to support the Ashdown Forest Conservators in protecting and preserving the Forest for everyone (and all the rare and wonderful species it is home to) for the next 100 years – and more.

Find out more about our 100 Year Legacy Fund here.

Where and When to See the Exhibition

Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, Forest Row RH18 5JP

Saturday 5th September 10am – 5pm

Sunday 6th September 10am – 5pm

To be kept informed please sign up to the Ashdown Forest Foundation Mailing List here

Can’t Get to the Exhibition?  Why Not Support Our Centenary Crowdfunder?

This summer, thanks to the Aviva Foundation, every donation made through our Crowdfunder campaign will be doubled. Inspired by the 100th birthday of one of the Forest’s other favourite (if rather less rare) residents, Winnie-the-Pooh, we’re looking ahead to the next hundred years and how we protect this special place. Money raised will go into our 100 Year Legacy Fund, supporting habitat and species projects like accessibility, maintenance, wildfire management and protecting and supporting rare species like the Silver Studded Blue Butterfly and the Honey Buzzard.