Ashdown Forest inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, and Poohsticks Bridge is a regular stop for families who bring the dog. The Forest’s own dog walking guidance is practical: keep your dog with you and in sight, let it off the lead only if you’re confident in its recall, and put it on a lead and step aside when you meet horses. Between 1 March and 31 August dogs should stay on the paths, to protect ground-nesting birds and other wildlife.
East Sussex has its own trainers page, plus sitters and groomers for Brighton and Hove. Our vets and swimming guides treat Sussex as one area, so those links also cover West Sussex. Adoption and rescue and pet transport link to UK-wide guides.
What’s covered in East Sussex
- Dog trainers: Dog trainers in East Sussex
- Vets: our best vets in Sussex guide is written for the county as a whole, East Sussex included.
- Dog swimming spots: the Sussex dog swimming spots guide covers East and West Sussex together.
- Dog sitters: Dog sitters in Brighton and Hove
- Dog groomers: Dog groomers in Brighton and Hove
- Adoption and rescue: we don’t have an East Sussex guide, so see our UK-wide dog adoption and rescue guide.
- Pet transport: no East Sussex city page, so see our UK pet transport guide.
Sharing the forest
Ashdown Forest isn’t a park with fences. Livestock graze parts of it, including the South Chase grazing enclosure, where the Forest team asks you to keep dogs away from the animals. Chasing livestock is a criminal offence, and if you lose your dog there or see a dog chasing livestock you should contact the Forest team. If you’re unsure how your dog will react to deer, the Forest suggests a long line.
Busy heath car parks
Crowded car parks and narrow paths on the heath can be a lot for some dogs. Calmshops stocks Calmdogs calming bites, a complementary feed that sits alongside training and a quiet routine. It isn’t a veterinary medicine, so if your dog’s reactions worry you, your vet is the first call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk my dog in Ashdown Forest?
Yes. The Forest team asks you to keep your dog with you and in sight, and to keep dogs on the paths between 1 March and 31 August. Check their website for the latest guidance.
Does AboutDogs have East Sussex dog sitter and groomer pages?
Yes, for Brighton and Hove. We have a dog sitters page and a dog groomers page for the city, both linked above.
Are the East Sussex vets and swimming guides separate from West Sussex?
No. We have one vets guide and one swimming guide for Sussex as a whole, and both are linked above.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
