Places to visit
Ashurst Wood
1 miles
Nisa convenience store - open till 7pm. Also a great butcher: Alan Martin meats which sells wonderful BBQ packages and the best sausages! The Maypole pub is small, but a good watering hole if you are thirsty after a walk to the village.
Forest Row
2 miles
On the outskirts of Ashdown Forest (5 minutes from Forest Garden Shovelstrode). Here you will find a few pubs including The Swan (tel 0134282 231), The Chequers Inn and the Hop Yard. There are a couple excellent delicatessens, a Fishmongers called Veaseys, and organic food shop called Seasons. There is an excellent Pizza restaurant called Java and Jazz (tel 0134282 6699). In the village is an Esso petrol station and Tesco Express. Tablehurst - biodynamic farm & farmshop also has a good cafe.
East Grinstead
2.5 miles
East Grinstead is an ancient market town with one of the longest runs of 14th Century timber framed buildings in the country. Here you will find the nearest Railway Station and Sainsburys right next to it. Restaurants include a choice of Indian, Thai & Chinese. And if you fancy a reasonable Italian - try Prezzo (tel: 01342 300211). You will find several high street stores including Boots, Robert Dyas & Millets etc. From the station, you can have a day out on the famous Bluebell Railway steam train.
Tunbridge Wells
12 miles
This historic and beautiful Spa Town has much to offer with great shopping and a wide selection of high quality places to eat. The Pantiles is a beautiful Georgian colonnaded covered walkway with many great shops, cafes and restaurants.
Brighton
27 miles
Visit the north and south Laines, a mass of small shops and restaurants. For more information
Lewes
15 miles
Well worth a visit. There are lots of antique shops to browse. Recommended is Bills’s Restaurant & Delicatessen (tel 01273 476918)
Ashdown Forest
4 miles
Originally a deer hunting forest in Norman times, Ashdown Forest is now the largest free public access space in the South East. It is a great place for walking and enjoying spectacular views over the Sussex countryside and is known the world over as the 'home' of Winnie-the-Pooh. The village of Hartfield, where the famous author AA Milne lived who wrote Winnie the Pooh and where you can walk to the famous bridge where Christopher Robin and friends played Pooh sticks.
Things to do
Bluebell Railway
2.5 miles
Now runs from East Grinstead RH19 1EB all the way through to Sheffield Park – a great day out for the family. You could then also visit the beautiful National Trust property at Sheffield park.
Visit siteStanden
5 miles
East Sussex RH19 4NE standen-house-and-garden/ a beautiful National Trust property is also well worth a visit. Designed by Philip Webb, the house is one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co. interiors creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Visit siteSheffield Park
10 miles
East Sussex TN22 3QX - This magnificent informal landscape garden was laid out in the 18th century by 'Capability' Brown and further developed in the early years of the 20th century by its owner, Arthur G. Soames. The original four lakes form the centrepiece. There are dramatic shows of daffodils and bluebells in spring, and the rhododendrons and azaleas are spectacular in early summer. Autumn brings stunning colours from the many rare trees and shrubs, and winter walks can be enjoyed in this garden for all seasons. Visitors can now also explore South Park, 107 hectares (265 acres) of historic parkland, with stunning views. Close by - a fantastic furniture shop Trading Boundaries which also has a great cafe
Hever Castle
10 miles
Edenbridge, TN8 7NG – the childhood home of Anne Boleyne – It is a stunning small castle, set in beautiful grounds. There is a cafe there and some lovely pubs just outside which are well worth a visit.
Ashdown Forest Horse Riding
5 miles
Boating/Swimming
2.5 miles
Weirwood Reservoir, RH18 5HT, 01342 023482 just outside Forest Row
Cycling, Bicycles
2 miles
Country Bikes
A local company who rent out bikes from various locations in the immediate area
Rock Climbing
13 miles
Bowles, TN3 9LW
Wild swimming at Barcombe Mills
19 miles
BN8 5BT (200m E) Lovely wild swimming location in the ice cold Ouse. The banks are fairly steep so not easy to get in and out. Children swimmers should be extremely careful and under supervision of adults
Lingfield Racecourse
4 miles
Holds meets regularly and is fun for all the family, especially if your horse comes in!
Places to eat
The Hatch Inn
5 miles, Colemans Hatch
(tel 01342 822 363). You do need to book this very popular local restaurant. One of our favourites! Child friendly, and excellent food.
The Griffin
12 miles, Fletching
This beautiful 16th Century inn has a great restaurant and bar menu, with a large outdoor space with BBQ and stunning views across Sheffield Park. Book in advance!
The Fountain
4 miles, Cowden
(tel 0871 951 1000) – very good food at a reasonable price. Not great for parking but you can park on the roadside. Cowden was voted the prettiest village in the Kent for many years.
The George and Dragon
11 miles, Speldhurst
(tel 01892 863125) – wonderful old pub and great food. Best to ring to reserve a table.
The Gallipot,
5 miles, Hartfield
(tel: 01892 770008) is a lovely old pub, serving excellent food, child friendly and is close by to the start of the Pooh sticks walk!