How to get to Forest Row using public transport

How to get to Forest Row using public transport

Getting to Forest Row by Public Transport

Forest Row is a charming village in the Ashdown Forest area of East Sussex.

While having a car certainly makes getting around the English countryside easier, it’s entirely possible to reach Forest Row using just trains and buses.

Here are some tips for getting to Forest Row by public transport.

From London

If coming from London, you’ll first want to take a train from London Bridge, Victoria, or East Croydon stations headed towards East Grinstead.

Trains run regularly and the journey takes around 1 hour.

Get off at East Grinstead station.

From there, you’ll need to take a bus the short remaining distance to Forest Row village. The 261 bus runs periodically between East Grinstead and Forest Row, taking about 15 minutes.

From Gatwick Airport

For those flying into Gatwick Airport, you can take a train towards East Grinstead.

Change at East Grinstead station for the 261 bus to Forest Row village, around 5 miles away.

From Brighton

If coming from the Brighton area, take a train headed towards London and change at East Croydon for a connection to East Grinstead.

Then follow the same instructions as above to take the bus from East Grinstead station to Forest Row

Change at East Grinstead station for the 261 bus to Forest Row village, around 5 miles away.

Bus Timetables

Be sure to check the current bus timetables for the 261 route between East Grinstead and Forest Row, as schedules can change. The buses run somewhat infrequently, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.

Forest Row is a walkable village once you arrive, but the lack of railways (see the Forest Way for more info) requires taking a bus for the final leg from East Grinstead.

With a bit of planning, it’s easy enough to access this tranquil part of Sussex by train and bus from London and other major transit hubs.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​