Climate
Summer is the warmest time and best for walking cycling etc; winter months can be cold and a little damp. It is advisable to take a light coat if the weather looks a bit iffy, just to keep you dry if anything; when the wind blows it can get quite cold on the ridges, however most of the valleys and copses provide enough shelter
History
Man has lived and worked in Ashdown Forest for 5,000 years, with Iron working during the Roman Period and Saxon Farming, however the forest took on its role as an area of enjoyment in the 11th century, when it was set up as a hunting ground for the Crown remnants of this can still be seen and used for Rabbit farming many localities are known as 'Warren's' - indicating their past usage. Ashdown Forest has, throughout history had an important part in the Nations economy, in 1496 French ironmasters were employed to operate the first water powered blast furnace in Britain, at Newbridge near Colemanâs Hatch and in 1505 a water powered steel forge was established at Pippingford. However by the 18th century most iron working had stopped.