Ashdown Forest Holiday Cottage

About The Location

Danehill, Haywards Heath, East Sussex

The Location of The Nest is Danehill village, East Sussex, within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the perfect spot to explore the ancient Ashdown Forest, the South Downs National Park and the vibrant, historic towns of Lewes, East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells. The beautiful South Coast and Seven Sisters Country Park in the Cuckmere Valley are within 55 mins, Brighton Marina and Racecourse 45 mins and Glyndbourne Opera House 30 mins by car.

There are wonderful woodland walks on the doorstep to take in the stunning countryside and many local attractions such as the famous Bluebell Steam Railway, Bluebell Vineyard Estates, Sheffield Park National Trust Gardens, Pooh Corner in Hartfield (popular Winnie the Pooh museum/tea room) and Trading Boundaries Cafe and Concert venue.

Also nearby is Borde Hill Gardens with its open air concerts, Wakehurst Place Botanical Gardens (Kew) and Ardingly Country Fair Showground. The charming villages of Lindfield, Hartfield, Horsted Keynes, Fletching and Forest Row are within a 15 mins drive and offer a variety of artisan shops, cafes and pubs.

Sporting and recreational activities in the area include golf at Lindfield and Haywards Heath, sailing and water sports at Ardingly Reservoir Activity Centre, cycling at Forest Way Country Park and racing at Plumpton. There is clay pigeon shooting at Northall Club in Fletching, fishing at Latchetts Lakes and forest trekking at East View Farm Riding Centre both in Danehill.

The Coach & Horses

Charming and unspoilt award-winning local Free House pub and restaurant serving delicious food with log fires in the winter, a cosy bar and a lovely garden and play area for children. A tranquil spot that is only a 2-3 minute walk from The Nest! Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner (Sunday night closed), booking in advance is advised.

Coach & Horses Public House, School Lane, Danehill, East Sussex
Tel: 01825 740369
www.coachandhorses.co

Getting Around

Take the A275 or A22 to Danehill village. There is easy access to A275, A22, A23 and A272 and good motorway access to M23 and M25.

Gatwick Airport is circa 30 mins by car. Haywards Heath is the nearest railway station 20 mins by car. There are local transport links with 270 Metro bus (bus stop at Coach & Horses pub within 5 mins walk of The Nest) to East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Brighton.

There are regular trains to/from London Victoria and London Bridge from Haywards Heath station arriving within 50 mins.

Places to visit

Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Covering over 10 square miles, Ashdown Forest is one of the largest open access areas in Southeast England. Situated within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its lowland heathland and deciduous woodland habitats are home to many rare and threatened species. With a rich human history from Kings and commoners to smuggling and industry dating back centuries, Ashdown Forest is also famous as the magical woodland that inspired some of the world’s best loved children’s stories, the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh.

https://ashdownforest.org/

Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park

Sheffield Park is an 1880’s station with steam engines on display, a museum & gift shop on a heritage railway line. Imagine travelling through 11 miles of glorious Sussex scenery behind a steam engine. Bluebell Railway offers that and so much more for the whole family. Bluebell Railway was one of the first preserved heritage lines in the country, resulting in one of the finest collections of vintage steam locomotives and carriages – many of which were preserved straight out of service from British Railways.

www.bluebell-railway.com

Bluebell Vineyard Estates, Furners Green

As a working vineyard and winery we offer visitors a genuine experience of winemaking. Our relaxed, fun and informative tours take visitors through the art and science behind winemaking, before a tutored tasting of our award-winning current releases in our Tasting Room. Located in Furners Green, East Sussex.

https://bluebellwines.com/

Pooh Corner, Hartfield, East Sussex

Pooh Corner is situated on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, in Hartfield The perfect place to discover A.A. Milne’s most famous creation, Winnie the Pooh and his friends. The classic stories came to life just a short walk away in the 100 Acre Wood! There is a tea room, gift shop and museum.

www.poohcorner.co.uk

South Downs National Park

The South Downs National Park offers breathtaking trails, incredible wildlife & picturesque villages welcome you to the land that inspired ‘Jerusalem’. Just a short journey from London, the South Downs is known as the ‘gateway to England’ – its rolling green hills, globally important chalk grassland, ancient woodland, dark night skies, wildlife-rich heathland and windswept cliffs represents people and nature at their best.

www.visitsouthdowns.com

Sussex Coast

Places to eat and drink

The Coach and Horses

Charming and unspoilt traditional award-winning local Free House pub and restaurant serving delicious food with log fires in the winter, a cosy bar and a lovely garden and play area for children. A tranquil spot which is only a 2-3 minute walk from The Nest! Open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch, booking in advance is advised.

The Hatch Inn

Popular and traditional old country pub in Coleman’s Hatch just outside Hartfield with log fire and garden, dating back to 1430. Serves delicious food. Only 10 to 15 minutes by car.

The Crown Inn

Lovely pub on the green for a drink or meal in the next village of Horsted Keynes 5-10 mins drive.

The Dorset Arms, Withyham

Lovely historic village pub and restaurant in Withyham on the Buckhurst Estate. 15-20 mins by car

Hathi Indian Restaurant, Nutley

Traditional and modern Indian cuisine, drawing inspiration from all 22 regions of India. Delicious food to eat in or takeaway and only 6-8 mins drive. A great option if you don’t feel like cooking but want a cosy night in!

Thai Time

Very popular Thai restaurant in Forest Row, that also does takeaway. Great option if you want a relaxing night in without cooking! Only 10-15 mins by car.

National Trust Properties

Sheffield Park & Garden

Sheffield Park and Garden is an informal landscape garden five miles east of Haywards Heath, in East Sussex, England. It was originally laid out in the 18th century by Capability Brown, and further developed as a woodland garden in the early 20th century by its then owner, Arthur Gilstrap Soames.

Wakehurst Place Botanical Gardens, Haywards Heath

Explore Wakehurst’s wild botanic garden in the heart of Sussex, home to the Millennium Seed Bank, over 500 acres of diverse landscapes and plants from across the globe. Kew Gardens Discover how their scientists are researching the value of UK biodiversity to inform nature-based solutions to critical global challenges like climate change.

Borde Hill Gardens, Borde Hill, Haywards Heath

Borde Hill Garden is a garden located 1.5 miles north of Haywards Heath, West Sussex in southern England. It is set in over 200 acres of garden, park and woodlands which has views across the Sussex High Weald. Borde Hill Garden is planted in “living garden rooms”, each offering a different character and style.

Activities and places of interest

Brighton Marina

A waterfront complex which has the potential to satisfy all taste buds as it has good Brighton restaurants, exciting food, and markets from all corners of the globe. One of the advantages of Brighton Marina restaurants is the free parking, 24 hour public transport and the great back drop of the Marina itself make it great for exploring in all weather.

Plumpton Racecourse Ltd

Plumpton Racecourse is a National Hunt racecourse in the village of Plumpton, East Sussex near Lewes and Brighton. Racing first took place at Plumpton in 1884. Its most notable race is the Sussex National Handicap Chase

Ardingly Reservoir Activity Centre, Ardingly

Trading Boundaries Concert Venue, Sheffield Park

Book your stay at our idyllic woodland retreat