Winnie the Pooh forest featured in photography book

Craig Payne, from Danehill near Haywards Heath, took photos for the project during the Covid lockdowns after work for his wedding photography business dried up.

The book, titled Through The Seasons of Ashdown Forest, includes pictures of the forest from across the pandemic time period.

Craig, 33, said: "It was extraordinary seeing Ashdown Forest during Covid. The forest became a beacon of the natural world for people to get out and reconnect with nature.

"It became my life and I absolutely loved capturing various scenes and exploring the Forest.

"It has been a constantly evolving project as I took so many pictures over a long period of time. I am so pleased with the outcome, very proud indeed."

Craig added that he had been to Ashdown Forest over 150 times during the lockdowns as part of the project.

He said that he has been taking photos of the forest and wider natural world for over 15 years having originally visited Ashdown Forest walking his family Jack Russell, Doug.

Craig Payne (Image: Craig Payne)

The forest is depicted throughout the year across the four seasons, including during the snowfall that covered the area in 2019. Pictures from the book include photographs of the forest's wildlife as well as waterfalls and other landmarks.

Ashdown Forest is famously the inspiration for Hundred Acre Wood in A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh stories. 

The book aims to document the forest as it was during the pandemic where nature became increasingly important in people's daily lives.

James Adler, chief executive of Ashdown Forest, said: "We are immensely grateful to Craig for the outstanding work he has done over a three-year period.

"The result is a book which documents an ancient landscape in a remarkable time. The images are simply breathtaking."

Craig Payne (L) and James Adler (R). Image: Craig Payne (Image: Craig Payne)

Craig has since launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in order to have the book published. He is looking to raise around £4,000 in order to have the book more widely printed.

Currently around £250 has been raised for the project. More information can be found at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/craigpaynephoto/through-the-seasons-on-ashdown-forest?ref=project_link.