As the August bank holiday approached, I found myself irresistibly drawn to the vibrant purple hues of Ashdown Forest’s heather, eager to capture its fleeting beauty before the season’s end. Nestled in the heart of East Sussex, Ashdown Forest is a vast expanse of heathland, renowned for its scenic beauty and as the inspiration behind A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. Each August, this sprawling landscape, with its rolling hills and open skies, transforms into a breathtaking sea of purple as the heather reaches its peak bloom.

With my camera in hand and a mission in mind, I set out to explore the forest’s ten square miles of public open access land, determined to find the perfect compositions amidst the sweeping heathland. This journey was not just about photography but also about immersing myself in the tranquillity and natural beauty of one of England’s most enchanting landscapes.