Local Honey Uckfield

Ashdown Forest Honey is a small, artisan honey producer located in the heart of Ashdown Forest, East Sussex — an ancient lowland heathland known for its rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes. The business is the creation of beekeeper Robert Clark, who tends his hives at Ghylls Plat in Fairwarp, near Uckfield. Robert’s journey into beekeeping began in 2023 when a local beekeeper placed a pair of hives in his wildlife-rich garden. That initial spark quickly grew into a dedicated endeavour to produce truly local honey that reflects the character of the Sussex heathland.

Ashdown Forest Honey is rooted in a sustainable, bee-led approach to apiculture. Rather than relying on conventional hive management routines, the practice emphasises observation, minimal disturbance and allowing bees to follow their natural life cycles. Queens are not wing-clipped, swarming is not suppressed, and colonies are free to build resilience in their own way. This philosophy places bee welfare at the centre of production and results in healthier, more self-sufficient colonies.

The honey itself is a single seasonal wildflower honey, harvested in small batches from bees foraging on gorse, bramble, woodland edges and the wide array of flowering plants that define Ashdown Forest’s ecology. It is raw, unpasteurised and minimally filtered, preserving natural pollen, enzymes and subtle seasonal nuances in flavour. Every jar is carefully bottled on site, ensuring traceability from hive to shelf.

Ashdown Forest Honey is sold through a select group of local stockists who share a focus on quality and provenance. Availability varies throughout the season, typically from early summer until stocks run out in late summer or autumn.

More than just honey, Ashdown Forest Honey represents a deep connection to place, nature and traditional beekeeping — offering customers a taste of one of England’s most treasured natural landscapes.