East Grinstead is a market town on the edge of Ashdown Forest, with Standen House close by and Wakehurst and Pooh Corner a short drive away.
Image: National TrustAn Arts and Crafts family home designed by Philip Webb in 1891 and furnished throughout with Morris & Co. wallpapers and fabrics, dressed as if for a 1925 weekend stay. The 12 acre hillside garden looks out over the High Weald, and woodland paths lead on towards Ashdown Forest and the Bluebell Railway.
Image: Tulleys Tulip FestA family farm near Turners Hill, growing since 1911 and now best known for its seasonal events, from the spring Tulip Festival to the Pumpkin Festival, Pumpkin Nights and Shocktober Fest scream park in autumn. Year round there are five themed escape rooms with a bar and lounge, and a tea room serving breakfasts, lunches and afternoon tea.
Image: Ashdown ForestOpen heathland and woodland that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood in the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. Big skies, long views and miles of paths make it a favourite for dog walks and family rambles, with Poohsticks Bridge an easy target for younger children.
Image: Wakehurst (RBG Kew)Kew's wild botanic garden in the High Weald, home to the Millennium Seed Bank and big swathes of woodland, wetland and meadow. It suits a long family walk, and children's tickets are cheap.
Image: Pooh CornerA Winnie-the-Pooh tearoom, gift shop and free mini museum in the village where A.A. Milne's stories were set, on the edge of Ashdown Forest. Stop for tea in the themed tearooms before heading out to find Poohsticks Bridge.
Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0The wooden bridge that inspired the game of Poohsticks in A.A. Milne's stories, just outside Ashdown Forest near Chuck Hatch. Bring a stick, walk down the bridleway from Pooh car park and play the game where it began.
East Grinstead Town Council switches on the town's Christmas lights on the High Street, alongside the Rotary clubs' Tree of Lights in the Market Square.
Image: East Grinstead LibraryA writing workshop run by local author Nicola Garrard at East Grinstead Library, part of the National Year of Reading. It is aimed at families and suits anyone wanting to try creative writing. Booking is required, and times are listed on the event page.
A free guided tour of East Grinstead Museum takes place on Friday 6 November 2026 at 11:00 am, run by the museum's volunteer team. The tour is held on the first Friday of each month and suits anyone interested in local history. Booking is recommended.
Image: Chequer Mead TheatreA willow weaving workshop where participants learn to make an elegant willow Christmas angel decoration. It takes place on 13 December 2026 at Chequer Mead Theatre in East Grinstead and suits adults and families looking for a seasonal craft activity. Booking is required through the event page.
Image: East Grinstead Community BonfireEast Grinstead Community Bonfire's torchlit procession lights up the High Street, followed by a bonfire and fireworks. It is one of the earlier dates in the Sussex bonfire season, which runs from September to late November.
Image: National TrustA Halloween trail around Standen's garden that is spooky without being frightening. Look out for crows, bats and magic meetings along the way, peek into the Spookiful Bothy and make something in the Witchard den. Each trail comes with a small gift.
Image: National TrustA playful Christmas trail around Standen's garden where a family of mischievous mice have caused festive chaos. Children follow the map to sort things out, with sing-along stops and family games along the route. Everyone who buys a trail gets a small gift.
Image: Ashdown Forest CentreMini Explorers is an outdoor play and nature discovery session for children under five and their families, held at the Ashdown Forest Centre in Wych Cross on Sunday 19 October 2026. Booking is required through the event page, which also gives the session times. It suits families with young children who want a relaxed outdoor morning in the forest.
Image: Ashdown Forest CentreWild Wednesdays is a family activity day held at the Ashdown Forest Centre in Forest Row on 28 October 2026. Booking is required, and the organiser suggests it suits children aged 5 to 12, though individual sessions may differ. Times and prices are listed on the event page.
Image: National TrustAn Arts and Crafts family home designed by Philip Webb in 1891 and furnished throughout with Morris & Co. wallpapers and fabrics, dressed as if for a 1925 weekend stay. The 12 acre hillside garden looks out over the High Weald, and woodland paths lead on towards Ashdown Forest and the Bluebell Railway.
Image: Tulleys Tulip FestA family farm near Turners Hill, growing since 1911 and now best known for its seasonal events, from the spring Tulip Festival to the Pumpkin Festival, Pumpkin Nights and Shocktober Fest scream park in autumn. Year round there are five themed escape rooms with a bar and lounge, and a tea room serving breakfasts, lunches and afternoon tea.
Image: Pooh CornerA Winnie-the-Pooh tearoom, gift shop and free mini museum in the village where A.A. Milne's stories were set, on the edge of Ashdown Forest. Stop for tea in the themed tearooms before heading out to find Poohsticks Bridge.
Image: Ashdown ForestOpen heathland and woodland that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood in the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. Big skies, long views and miles of paths make it a favourite for dog walks and family rambles, with Poohsticks Bridge an easy target for younger children.
Image: Pooh CornerA Winnie-the-Pooh tearoom, gift shop and free mini museum in the village where A.A. Milne's stories were set, on the edge of Ashdown Forest. Stop for tea in the themed tearooms before heading out to find Poohsticks Bridge.
Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0The wooden bridge that inspired the game of Poohsticks in A.A. Milne's stories, just outside Ashdown Forest near Chuck Hatch. Bring a stick, walk down the bridleway from Pooh car park and play the game where it began.
