Explore Ancient Forest and 186 acres of grounds during May, National Walking Month.
Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club is situated at the heart of the infamous Ashdown Forest, (inspiration for A.A.Milne’s ‘100 Acre Wood’). We are the perfect location to visit for ramblers and those who simply want to appreciate and enjoy the beautiful Sussex countryside.
Kevin Sweet, our Estate Manager of 40 years has shared his top three walks which you are guaranteed to enjoy!To make exploring easier, large maps are situated in the grounds, one by the terrace and the other half way down Cow Lane. Additionally, if you visit our concierge team in reception, they will give you maps with alternative routes to explore.
During Summer we highly recommend our selection of picnics starting from £22.50 per person, which come in a wicker hamper and with a picnic blanket for you to take onto the estate with you. Enjoy this luxury wherever you spot a great location!
1. Eighteen Acre Wood - approx. 35 minutes
Walk up the farm drive towards tee three on our on-site golf course, then along the grass track to the eighteen-acre wood. This walk is a lovely easy-going option. This route one of my favourite early morning, as there's a good chance of seeing deer grazing on the fairways between greens three and four, and foxes and other wildlife can also be seen strolling amongst the foliage. This route is suitable year-round and there's always something to see, from the wildlife to the changing colours of vegetation and the foliage of the trees. The walk takes you through the woods and then comes out at tee six. From here you can carry on along the track next to the woodland pond then follow Cow Lane, (so-called as this track was used to move cattle up to the top fields in days gone by,) which then takes you right back to the hotel.
2. SSSI Walk (Site of Special Scientific Interest) - approx 50 minutes
This walk is a little longer than the first and begins by taking you away from the hotel, down the Cow Lane. Keep on the track and walk around the edge of the driving range and the llama park, up towards-then across our large back fields where you will get some great views of Ashdown Forest, looking towards Kids Hill. You will also get some good views back towards the hotel and the golf course from here. We keep the grass longer in some of the fields on Ashdown Park’s estate to encourage a mixture of wildlife and I have seen all sorts along this walk including deer, foxes, badgers and birds of prey.Follow the grass paths that go around the fields and past our Southbank Wood which is a SSSI area. It is an ancient woodland and has a number of very old and large trees together with some rare moths and butterflies which can be found during the summer months. This is a great walk for building up an appetite before taking an afternoon tea or meal in one of our restaurants or lounges.
3. Secret Garden Walk - approx. 25 minutes
This is the shortest walk, which will take around 25 mins to complete and is fairly easy going. From the hotel, walk towards the East Lodge Gate where you will come to a road junction then head across the top of the field and walk along the edge and down the track where you will find a gate that takes you into the Secret Garden (a private garden, as stunning as it sounds). If you carry on down the track you will come to the east side of the golf course and the lower parts of the estate where deer can normally be seen grazing the rough grass between the fairways. Walk towards tee 10 and you’ll get a view of the hotel from behind the main lake and with the water fountains going you can get some great photos.Celebrate National Walking Month with our exclusive Spring package, available until 31st May, which includes:
- Overnight accommodation
- Traditional Afternoon Tea Picnic
- Three-course table d'hote Dinner in our 2 AA Rosette Anderida Restaurant
- Breakfast.