If you want a gorgeous walk, you can never really go wrong on Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. Dating back to its time as a medieval hunting ground, on a harsh day, you feel like you’re truly a hero fighting against the elements, whilst on a sunny day, you’ll enjoy incredible views, large pockets of silence and wonderful wildlife. And this walk meets the brief when it comes to gorgeous and awe-inspiring wanders.
Logistics
Distance: 5–6 km circular walk. Hilly and quite challenging, with mud in places.
Start/Finish Options:
- Nutley village (limited roadside parking)
- Hollies Car Park, Crowborough Road (recommended for this route but remember you need to pay for parking on the forest)
Route Overview: A circular walk linking Nutley with the Airman’s Grave, crossing classic Ashdown Forest heathland with open views, sandy tracks, and pockets of woodland. In particular, look out for bluebells in spring, heather in late summer, and gorse all year round, remembering the old saying, “When gorse is out of bloom, kissing’s out of season.”
Nearby places to eat: The Nutley Arms in Nutley.
From the car park
From the Hollies car park, set out south, the path falling gently away from you as the forest begins to open. This is classic Ashdown Forest, wide skies, sandy tracks, and that quiet, expansive feel that makes you slow your pace almost without noticing. On a clear day, the South Downs reveal themselves in the distance, soft and blue on the horizon.
The Airman’s Grave
You are heading towards Airman’s Grave, which gradually comes into view on the flank of the slope ahead. It commemorates six airmen who lost their lives here during World War II when their Wellington bomber crashed. They men were: Flight Sergeant Harry Vidler, 27; Sergeant Vic Sutton, 24; Sergeant Wilf Brooks, 24; Flight Sergeant Ernest Cave, 21; Sergeant Stan Hathaway, 24; and Flight Sergeant Len Saunders, 21.
Pause here. It is beautiful and evocative and one of those places that invites stillness.
Sussex Diamond Way
From the memorial, continue south, the path dipping gently into a valley. At the bottom, you’ll find a small stream to cross as you turn right and begin to climb. Turn right here to join the Sussex Diamond Way, a more established long-distance footpath. But beware the mud. From here you have a few dips and dives to surmount as you head towards Upper Misbourne Farm and Nutley. Look back often towards the Airman’s Grave because the views across the forest are fabulous and dotted with yellow gorse and bracken.
At Upper Misbourne Farm, you come to a crossroads. If you’ve parked in Nutley, straight on is your way onto and back from the forest to the car or bus stop and you’ll descend through a gorse walkway before climbing back up into the village via the woods. But if you’ve parked at Hollies, then turn right and follow the roughly made track up and north towards Crowborough Road. It’s a steady (and muddy) climb.
The final furlong
As you near the main road, look out for a gate to your left where you will turn right onto the wide open and undualting track that will take you back to the car park. Fabulous views towards the South Downs are your companion now as you walk along the ridge.
Optional detour: Nutley Windmill
If you’re in the mood to extend the walk, you can add in a detour towards Nutley Windmill.
Where the made-up track meets Crowborough Road, cross straight over and continue all the way up until you reach a little cross roads where you turn left. This leads to the windmill which at over 300 years old, is the sole surviving and operational open-trestle post mill in the country. They have fairly regular open days but check first before travel.
When you’re ready, turn tail and retrace your steps. Ahead, on the horizon, you’ll spot the distinctive grouping of trees known as Friends Clump, a landmark that helps orientate you across the open forest. Keep walking past that and carry on until you get back to the car park, enjoying more with great views opening out to your left.
If you have enjoyed this post about Ashdown Forest, you may also like:
