New Gateway Opens at The Ashdown Forest Centre

As a Trustee of the Ashdown Forest Foundation, I was delighted to attend the grand opening of the Ashdown Forest Centre’s new gateway. Crafted in local Engish oak, it stands at the entrance to the centre in Wych Cross.

Dubbed as the ‘Gateway to Nature’, it now acts as a welcome and information point for the thousands who pass through the Forest Centre every year. The gateway features carvings of some of the Forest’s most iconic species such as the Nightjar, Adder, Dartford Warbler, Hobby and Dragonfly.

The designs by local artist Malcolm Trollope-Davis were nurtured into life as carvings with the help of Simon Vinton’s team at Crafted in Lewes who constructed the gateway.

The project was made possible thanks to support from the High Weald National Landscape Partnership’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. There were also generous contributions from The Chalk Cliff Trust, The Titcomb Foundation, and The Ashdown Forest Foundation.

Ashdown Forest’s CEO, Mark Pearson said

“We wanted to create a bold structure that really welcomes our visitors and provides them with all the information they need, including a map of the Forest, details about what you can expect to see and hear and what activities are on offer for families and children. It marks the start of everyone’s adventure – a way into the Forest Centre and the first step out on walks to discover the beauty of this unique landscape.”

roadcaster and journalist Katie Derham who is an Ambassador for The Ashdown Forest Foundation said:

“I cannot think of a better way to welcome everyone. This beautiful structure showcases the Forest’s natural treasures and leaves visitors in no doubt that they are about to experience a very special place. The Ashdown Forest Foundation is honoured to be part of this project and we are extremely grateful to the other organisations who funded the Gateway – helping to recognise the national and international significance of the Forest.”

The Gateway was officially opened by Katie Derham and Nusrat Ghani MP.

Find out more about the Foundation and the work we do here.

From left: Simon Vinten (Crafted in Lewes), Kason Lavender (High Weald National Landscape Partnership), Mark Pearson (CEO, Ashdown Forest), Malcolm Trollope-Davis (Commercial Artist) ,Katie Derham (Ambassador for The Ashdown Forest Foundation), Nusrat Ghani MP, Robin St Clair Jones (Chair, The Ashdown Forest Foundation)