Milne first introduced the world to Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood in 1926. (TeTe Song (Adobe Stock))
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As a child, I loved the many animated adventures of Winnie the Pooh and pals. The television theme song is one that definitely gets stuck in my head, along with Tigger and his “wonderful thing about Tiggers” song. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that the animated adventures, including the iconically horrifying Heffalump fever dream scene, was based on a series of books by A.A. Milne.
I loved the many animated adventures of Winnie the Pooh and pals. (mailcaroline (Adobe Stock))
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Milne first introduced the world to Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood in 1926. He was inspired to write the book series after watching his son play with his stuffed animals in the nearby forest near his home. Milne even named the human protagonist in the books after his son, Christopher Robin.
If, like me, you get warm, nostalgic feelings when you think of the silly old bear, you can celebrate 100 years of Winnie the Pooh by visiting the real life place that inspired the books: Ashdown Forest.
Take a stroll along the real Pooh Bridge and play a game of Poohsticks. (mountaintreks (Adobe Stock))
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The forest is located in East Sussex about 30 miles from London and many of the places that you see in the books and on screen are just waiting for you to walk through in real life: Ashdown Forest.
Gills Lap Clump is known as “Galleon’s Lap” in the books
Roo’s Sandy Pit
Pooh Bridge (Keep your eyes peeled for piles of sticks for a rousing game of Poohsticks)
The Enchanted Place
Heffalump Trap
In the forest, there is also Pooh Corner, a combination tea house, museum and gift shop: a great stop after playing in the Hundred Acre Wood. The tea house features Pooh-themed treats for fans of all ages; make sure to book the “Afternoon Tea” experience in advance, but if you just want a quick bite, just walk in. The “Pooh-seum” is free to visit and has informational exhibits, toys and books.
If you cannot make it to the area in 2026, that’s okay. The experiences await you no matter which of Pooh Bear’s birthday you are celebrating. (Kateryna (Adobe Stock))
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Also in the forest is the Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club which is celebrating 100 years of Pooh Bear by amping up their already Pooh-themed experiences. They have designed two family-friendly hiking trails throughout the forest known as “The Hundred Aker Trail.” They have redesigned their Afternoon Tea through Nov. 2026 to center around Pooh Bear’s favorite treat: hunny (honey) with honey drinks, sandwiches and snacks.
If you cannot make it to the area in 2026, that’s okay. The experiences await you no matter which of Pooh Bear’s birthday you are celebrating.
Milne was inspired to write the book series after watching his son play with his stuffed animals in the nearby forest near his home. (Janet Conklin (Adobe Stock))
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