Lions Head Spring, East Sussex, RH18 5AH, UK

## Overview Lions Head Spring is a public drinking spring located in Forest Row, East Sussex, in the heart of the Ashdown Forest area. Situated at postcode RH18 5AH, this characterful spring features a traditional lion's head spout — a classic design found at many historic European springs where water flows from the mouth of a carved stone or metal lion's head into a basin below. Forest Row is a village on the northern edge of Ashdown Forest, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the High Weald. The region is known for its sandstone geology, which naturally filters rainwater through layers of rock, often producing clean, mineral-rich spring water. Springs in this part of East Sussex have historically served as important community water sources for centuries, long before mains water was available. Visitors have historically used this spring as a source of drinking water, and it remains a well-known local landmark. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary with weather and seasonal conditions. ## Directions 1. Head to the village of **Forest Row** in East Sussex, which sits along the A22 between East Grinstead and Uckfield. 2. The spring is located in the village area near postcode **RH18 5AH**. 3. GPS coordinates: **51.096546, 0.032451** — use these for precise navigation. 4. Look for the distinctive lion's head spout, which is a recognisable feature along the roadside or path. *Note: These directions are based on the GPS coordinates and postcode provided. If visiting for the first time, using sat-nav with the GPS coordinates is recommended for the most accurate route.* ## What to Expect Lions Head Spring is a publicly accessible drinking spring, meaning it is designed for visitors to collect water freely. The spring features a traditional lion's head design — water flows from the mouth of the carved lion into a collection point below, making it easy to fill bottles or containers. The surrounding area of Forest Row and Ashdown Forest offers beautiful countryside walks, woodland trails, and scenic views across the High Weald. The village of Forest Row itself has shops, cafés, and pubs, making it easy to combine a visit to the spring with a wider day out in the area. As a public spring in a village setting, access is straightforward and does not require any significant hiking or off-road travel. The spring is available year-round, though flow may vary seasonally — springs in the High Weald sandstone tend to flow more strongly during wetter months in autumn and winter.