Our Story

Ashdown Forest Open Studios 2026

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2026 marks the very first Ashdown Forest Open Studios (AFOS) — a celebration of creativity inspired by the beautiful landscape that has long drawn artists, writers, and makers to this special part of Sussex.

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We’re especially delighted to launch AFOS in a year of literary significance: 2026 is the centenary of the first publication of Winnie-the-Pooh, the beloved children’s classic written by A. A. Milne and illustrated by E. H. Shepard — both of whom lived and worked near Ashdown Forest.

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AFOS has grown out of the highly successful Crowborough Open Studios, which has been running since 2010. Started by a group of talented local artists, that event was held mainly at the United Church in Crowborough, with local shop windows also showcasing their work.

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We’re proud to carry forward that same spirit of inclusion and community, while extending the invitation to artists, makers, and craftspeople across the towns and villages surrounding Ashdown Forest.

During the first weekend of September 2026, participants are invited to open their studios, homes, galleries — or even garden sheds — to welcome visitors from near and far, sharing their creativity and passion for the arts.