A new Saturday bus service has been launched to take walkers from Uckfield to the heart of Ashdown Forest.
The 262 Take the Bus for a Walk service will start and finish at Uckfield Bus Station and pass through Maresfield and Nutley on its way to Ashdown Forest. There it follows a circular route revealing stunning views across the extensive heathland as it stops at several local attractions, including Nutley Windmill, Pooh Corner, The Llama Park and the Forest Visitor Centre.
This new service, part of the Forest Explorer network, will make four journeys every Saturday.
“The circular journeys allow visitors and walkers to alight at one of the many stops, take a healthy walk, a leisurely stroll or just soak up the view, and then board the next bus either at the same point or somewhere else along the route,” said Councillor Barry Marlowe, chairman of Wealden Bus Alliance, one of the backers of the new service. “In common with most rural bus services, where there are no defined stops passengers can flag down the bus for a pick up whereever it is safe to do so, in order to enjoy a great walk in the Forest.
“Visitors from East Grinstead can use the Metro Bus service to connect with the 262 Take the Bus for a Walk service at Hartfield or Wych Cross.”
Wealden MP Nus Ghani will be launching the new Take the Bus for a Walk service at Uckfield Bus Station on Saturday 11 June at 12 noon.
This addition to the Forest Explorer bus network is an initiative supported by Wealden Bus Alliance, WealdLink, Maresfield Parish Council and Uckfield Town Council. It is a much more kinder way to enjoy Ashdown Forest, helping to reduce vehicle exhaust emission which threaten the nitrogen-deficient eco system of the Forest.
