The Ashdown Forest Foundation

11/06/2026

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s poetry competition run in partnership with the Royal Literary Fund and The Ashdown Forest Foundation.

Congratulations to Yici Zhang, Esme Coulter, and Miriam Mason. Read their winning poems on our website (link in bio).

Enormous thanks to our judges Joseph Coelho OBE, Gyles Brandreth, Kathryn Aalto, Jane Riordan, and Fiona Sampson, and to everyone who submitted an entry this year. What a delight it was to read all your poetical perspectives on the theme of friendship.

11/06/2026

Did you see Springwatch? This is such exciting news and why we work so hard to help the Conservators do important conservation work like this.

Did you see the amazing Ashdown Forest honey buzzards on BBC Springwatch last night? The first time this rare and secretive bird of prey has been filmed live on a nest. Read more: https://crowborough.news/rare-bird-filmed-live-for-the-first-time-from-its-nest-in-ashdown-forest/
The Ashdown Forest Foundation The Sussex Ornithological Society

05/06/2026

You might be wondering...why 100 businesses? Why 100 years?

Here's the honest answer.

Ashdown Forest is extraordinary. Rare heathland. Ancient woodland. Protected wildlife. Open to everyone, free of charge. But keeping it that way takes consistent, long-term funding and public funding alone isn't enough.

The 100 4 100 campaign is our answer to that challenge. By bringing together 100 businesses as Corporate Guardians, we can build a Legacy Fund that gives the Forest the stable foundation it needs for the next century and beyond.

It's not just about money, either. It's about the Forest's ecosystem of businesses, communities and the Forest working together; quite simply because the Forest belongs to all of us now and into the future.

Could your business be one of the 100?

Get in touch with Katie Jones, our Fundraising Manager: [email protected] Or find out more here 👉 ashdownforestfdn.org/how-to-support-us/corporate-partnerships/

03/06/2026

Big news from The Ashdown Forest Foundation! 🌿

We've just launched 100 4 100, a campaign to find 100 businesses who want to help protect Ashdown Forest for the next 100 years.

Inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh's 100th birthday, we're building a 100 Year Legacy Fund to keep this extraordinary mix of rare heathland, ancient woodland, precious wildlife; safe and thriving for future generations.

Businesses of every size can get involved, from £25 a month upwards.

If you're a local business, a Sussex-based organisation, or simply someone who loves this Forest and wants to help protect it, this is your chance to be part of something lasting.

Drop Katie Jones, our Fundraising Manager, a message at [email protected] or visit the link below to find out more.
👉 https://ashdownforestfdn.org/2026/06/02/100-4-100-corporate-sponsors/

26/05/2026

Tickets are now on sale for The Big One Hundred! Join us at Ashdown Forest as we celebrate the last one hundred years and begin to create a new story for the future!

🎟️ Tickets for The Big One Hundred at Ashdown Forest are on sale now! 🎟️

Join us at Ashdown Forest on 18–19 July for The Big One Hundred, a weekend of adventure, creativity and discovery for the whole family.

This year, we’ll be introducing a brand new character inspired by the landscape, wildlife and special species that call the Forest home. Expect performances, workshops, interactive activities and plenty of opportunities to explore and play together.

Families are invited to take part in activities and learning more about the Forest - complete them all and become an official Ashdown Explorer!

Click the link below to get your tickets, but be quick - availability is limited!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-one-hundred-at-ashdown-forest-tickets-1990000191141?aff=oddtdtcreator

Can’t make it to Ashdown Forest? The Big One Hundred will also be touring across Wealden this summer:

📍 Hailsham Town Centre: 26 July
📍 Sheffield Park and Garden: 1 August
📍 Weald on the Field in Uckfield: 8 August
📍 Herstmonceux Castle: 22–23 August

Find out more and book tickets here:
thebigonehundred.co.uk

13/05/2026

Tickets for the open gardens at Cotchford Farm this weekend are sold out, but it’s not the end of the story…

The owners of this spectacular home are very generously opening the gardens to the public in support of Ashdown Forest. We are delighted to share that this event in May 2026 is now SOLD OUT. Additional tickets will NOT be available on the door.

If you missed out on a ticket this time, there is one more chance this year. The gardens will open again on 12th & 13th September. Tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks. To receive an email alert to let you know when tickets go on sale, sign up here: https://theashdownforestfoundation.beaconforms.com/form/8c3c699c

All funds from both events will support The Ashdown Forest Foundation, the charitable arm of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest tasked with raising funds to ensure the best possible future for the Ashdown Forest.

Please direct any questions to [email protected].

29/04/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us at this year's !

Whilst we didn't quite reach our ambitious target, we more than doubled last year's total!

We're enormously grateful for every penny of support given. Your donations really will make the world of difference to Ashdown Forest's special species.

Find out more about the projects we fund at
https://ashdownforestfdn.org/what-we-do/our-programmes/

29/04/2026

One hour left to for Ashdown Forest!

Please donate if you can at bit.ly/AshdownBigGive26 and help to support Ashdown Forest's iconic species.

Your generosity means we can help fund habitat restoration, including conservation grazing, which provides safe havens for all of the Forest's creatures.

Find out more about how your support can help species like the Hazel dormouse at
https://ashdownforestfdn.org/2026/04/25/dont-sleep-on-this-opportunity/

Thank you!

29/04/2026

Just a few hours left to go with ! Enormous thanks to everyone who has donated so far 💚

There's still a chance to have your donation doubled at bit.ly/AshdownBigGive26.

You can make to Ashdown Forest's iconic species, and help preserve its special landscape for the future.

Find out how your donations are helping at
https://ashdownforestfdn.org/what-we-do/our-programmes/

28/04/2026

There are just 24 hours left to double your impact with !

Please donate at bit.ly/AshdownBigGive26 and help to protect species like the iconic Dartford warbler on Ashdown Forest!

Your donations make a huge difference to efforts to conserve this rare, protected bird and other key species on the Forest.

Find out more about how we support conservation at
https://ashdownforestfdn.org/2026/04/28/double-up-for-the-dartford-warbler/