Transport Information

Ashurst Wood is served by three bus routes. The 270 (East Grinstead – Haywards Heath and Brighton) and 291 (Tunbridge Wells – Crawley) are operated by Metrobus. The 261 (Uckfield – East Grinstead) is operated by Compass Travel. Current bus timetables are shown below. Times have been changed slightly from the end of August to take account of Sackville School's new afternoon closing time.

All 261 buses now go straight down the A22 between Forest Row and the Roebuck - the journeys that previously went via Hartfield Road, Coleman's Hatch and the Ashdown Forest Visitors' Centre no longer run.

Real-time information displays are now provided at bus stops in the village, and the information is also available on the Metrobus website or from www.mytraveline.mobi or similar apps.

A "Plusbus" scheme operates in the East Grinstead area including Ashurst Wood. This enables rail travellers to add local bus services to their train ticket for a reduced amount compared with buying separate bus and train tickets. "Plusbus" tickets are available for one day or for various lengths of season ticket, and have to be purchased from a railway station. For rail season ticket holders there are potential savings over parking charges. Full details can be found on www.plusbus.info/grinstead.

Train services from East Grinstead to Victoria are operated by Southern Rail and those to Bedford by Thameslink.

The Village Council's summary timetable below is prepared and regularly updated by former Councillor Jonathan Samways. It shows all bus services between Forest Row, Ashurst Wood and East Grinstead (town and station), together with train connections between East Grinstead and East Croydon, Clapham Junction, London stations and Bedford. We aim to update this whenever there is a timetable change.

The timetable shows the position from the 31st August 2024.

If you are a resident of West Sussex and have reached state pension age, you can obtain a free older person's bus pass from West Sussex County Council (WSCC).
This is a 5-year pass and offers free off-peak bus travel in England.

WSCC also offers a free bus pass for someone with a disability OR a free one-year disabled persons railcard. You cannot obtain both a bus pass and a railcard.

Purchase of senior or disabled railcards
If you are 60 years of age or more, you can purchase a senior railcard. This costs £30 for one year or £70 for three years, and can be bought online or at a station.

You can purchase a disabled persons railcard if you have chosen to have a free bus pass. It costs £20 for one year and £54 for three years.

Discount on purchase of railcards
Mid Sussex District Council allows eligible residents of Mid Sussex of state pension age to purchase a one-year senior railcard for the discounted price of £24 (instead of £30), or a disabled persons railcard for £18 (instead of £20).
You can obtain a discount code to purchase a discounted price railcard from the Village Council's office.

Note: There are no discounts for 3-year senior cards, but it is marginally cheaper to buy a full-priced 3-year senior card than three discounted 1-year cards, and it costs the same to buy a full-priced disabled persons railcard as as three 1-year discounted cards.

Information about discounts on bus and coach travel
Information about discounted train fares

Apply for free older persons bus pass
Apply for free disabled persons bus pass
Apply for disabled persons railcard

Senior Railcard site
Disabled Persons railcard site

Mid Sussex District Council offers £30 of taxi vouchers per year to residents unable to use public transport. The vouchers can be used to 'pay' for up to 50% of your taxi journey.
Only a limited number of voucher books are available.

More information here
Application Form

This service is run by Forest Row Parish Council. It is available for patients at Ashdown Forest Health Centre and/or residents of Forest Row and Ashurst Wood Civil Parishes to enable them to attend medical/dental appointments, essentially covering most of Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
It is a voluntary car scheme for those who do not qualify for hospital transport or find it difficult to get to appointments. There is a minimum charge of £3.00 plus £1.00 to help cover the driver's time and costs. Mileage will be charged at 45p per mile. There is £1 administration change to cover the costs of stationery and the telephone line and charges.

To make a booking, phone 0800 112 3352, option 1, or 01342 822909.
email: frctransport@gmail.com

To volunteer as a driver, or for general queries, call Forest Row Parish Council on 01342 822661