The walk will be held in Ashdown Forest.
Led by Mollie Matthews, nature conservation and engagement officer for Ashdown Forest, the walk will begin at 11am on January 1, 2026.
It will start and finish at the Broadstone car park on Colemans Hatch Road.
The Ashdown Forest walk will start at 11am on January 1 (Image: Craig Payne)
Ms Matthews said: “This is the perfect way to recharge your batteries after the festive season.
“We know that a connection to nature improves wellbeing and mental health, and we want to encourage as many people as possible to access all the benefits that Ashdown Forest offers.
“Over a couple of hours, we will be focussing on the habitats that make the area so unique and finding out how it evolved from King Henry VIII’s royal hunting ground to an internationally recognised and protected ecosystem.
“We start and finish close to the Forest Centre – so there’s a chance to warm up with a hot drink in our café.”
The two-hour, 4km walk is designed as a relaxed introduction to the habitats and history of Ashdown Forest.
The walks will be led by Ashdown Forest’s countryside team who can give a unique insight into the lives of the animals and plants that call the forest home.
The Broadstone car park, where the walk will start and finish (Image: Google)
Beth Morgan, head of engagement and development at Ashdown Forest, said guided walks are one of many ways the forest encourages connection with nature.
She said: “We welcome around 1.5 million visitors to the Forest every year, and we want everyone to feel better for their visit.
“We know that an increasing number of people are accessing places like Ashdown Forest through ‘Nature Prescriptions’ where GPs and other healthcare professionals direct people to green spaces for wellbeing, fitness, and mental health therapy.
“Our guided walks are just one of the ways we try to share all the benefits that being connected to nature has to offer.”
The guides will provide lots of information on the forest (Image: Craig Payne)
The walk is free to attend and requires no booking, but participants are advised to wear sturdy footwear due to uneven terrain and hilly sections.
Dogs on leads are welcome, but the route is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Car parking charges will apply.
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