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Ashdown Forest is a roughly triangular area of land with Forest
Row at its apex. It is all that now remains of the once huge Wealden
Forest of Anderida, which in Roman times stretched for 120 miles
from Canterbury to Chichester. Sadly, much of the Forest was felled
to make way for agriculture and to fuel the furnaces of the once
thriving Sussex iron industry that reached its peak in the 17th
century. Today the forest comprises 10 square miles of open heath
and woodland and provides a unique habitat for wild animals, birds
and plants. At all times of the year it is a place of stark beauty
with incredible views in all directions. 
The Forest is administered by a Board of Conservators that is responsible
for the provision of funds for its upkeep. The public has a legal
right of access to all open land administered by the Conservators
who have done much to provide unobtrusive car parks and picnic areas
on the edge of the Forest. No wheeled traffic is allowed on open
Forest land and horse riding is by permit only, obtained from the
Ashdown Forest Centre.
The Ashdown Forest Information and Exhibition Centre at Wych Cross
is well worth a visit by those wishing to learn more about the Forest
or to obtain details of the many walks and footpaths in the area.
For younger visitors to the area the haunts of Pooh Bear and his
friends are a major attraction.
A. A. Milne, the author of the Pooh stories, lived in the nearby
village of Hartfield and many of the stories were set in Ashdown
Forest. “Pooh sticks” can still be played from the site
of the original bridge and Pooh’s Enchanted Place can be visited.
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