Forest Row is a vibrant East Sussex village surrounded on three sides by Ashdown Forest, the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh’s stomping ground Hundred Acre Wood. Bordering West Sussex, Kent and Surrey the village has retained much of its rural character.
You will find an eclectic range of local independent shops and amenities to cater for your day to day needs. With open countryside, an excellent choice of schools in both the public and private sectors, and an array of activities and places to visit Forest Row is a popular rural destination.
Local LifeThe village centre offers so many treats. Visit the traditional Cyrnel Bakery, the independent wine merchant Secret Cellar, Sheaeres Fine Food & Deli, Taffels Deli, Java & Jazz, Maria’s café at Blenheim Studios and the award-winning Fine & Scandi a mobile Scandinavian Street Kitchen. Seasons for organic foods and local produce including High Weald Diary cheeses, My Orchard eggs and Artisan Bread. Hop Yard Brewing Company for cocktails, pop up food and pizza with Yard Yoga next door.
Independent shops include Ashdown Gallery in Hartfield Road, STIL Lifestyle, Gaia Natural Health for natural and organic health products and herbal apothecary. There are regular Saturday fine food and craft markets. Two Two One restaurant and The Bram Bar at the Brambletye Hotel offers home-cooked lunch and dinner, using local produce and you will find old English 15th century charm at The Chequers.
On the edge of the village visit Tablehurst organic farm, vegetable garden shop and café. Plawhatch farm shop and diary. A festive trip to Kingsley Farm for your real Christmas trees and if you want to combine food, shopping and walking a lama visit the Lama Park at Wych Cross.
For outdoor adventures there is sailing and fishing at Weirwood Reservoir, golfing at Royal Ashdown Golf Club and Ashdown West, cycling along the 10-mile Forest Way path. You can hire bikes from Forest Row Cycle Hire. Explore the 6400 acres heathlands and forests of Ashdown Forest ancient area of Outstanding Natural Beauty popular with families, walkers, horse riders.
There are numerous local clubs and societies including Forest Players, an amateur dramatic society, Ashdown Pantomimers, the Forest Row Film Society and Forest Row Pavilion hosts the village football, cricket and tennis teams and clubs.
Travel
The A22 runs through the centre of the village providing good access to the M25 and London, and Brighton is around 25 miles away. The railway station at East Grinstead offers services to London Bridge/Victoria in about 54 minutes. Gatwick is about 12 miles away and Heathrow airport 46 miles. (All times and distances approximate).
