Visitors will have to start paying for parking at the much-loved beauty spot which inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.
Ashdown Forest introduced charges for all of its 45 car parks to “ensure safe access and its long-term future”.
There is the option of concessionary passes for people on universal credit or any form of income support.
From today prices for parking will be £2 for one hour, £2.50 for up to two hours, £4 for up to four hours and £5 all day.
Ashdown Forest was the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood when Winnie-the-Pooh author AA Milne lived there, at Cotchford Farm. Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones later also lived there, and died in the swimming pool.
James Adler, CEO of Ashdown Forest, said: “We are hoping our visitors will understand that by paying to park they are contributing to the long-term future and preservation of the forest.
“There is so much to cherish and protect here, from the legacy of Winnie-the-Pooh to the unique lowland heath which is of international conservation importance. There is a great deal of visitor infrastructure on the forest including the car parks, bridges and miles of tracks. Many require maintenance and repair.”
The car parks will be managed by Horizon Parking.
The company is also managing the concession scheme which will help a number of households who may struggle with the new payments.
The annual concessionary pass will cost £5 and the daily concessionary pass £1 if you are on universal or pension credit or any of the legacy benefits including child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance and working tax credit.
Some residents have said they will not use the carparks due to the new charges.
James added: “We recognise that this is a big change to the way that visitors to the Forest have experienced in the past. The funds provided by our visitors will go towards caring for the place they love. We are looking ahead to a sustainable future for Ashdown Forest and every parking fee paid will play a significant part in that.”
For more information, visit the Ashdown Forest website.
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