Winnie-the-Pooh at 100: visit the Sussex locations of the beloved books
“If you live to be a hundred, I hope I live to be a hundred minus one day, so that I never have to live a day without you.”
In 2026, Winnie-the-Pooh, one of the most cherished characters in children’s literature, celebrates a very special birthday, and you can visit the Sussex locations that inspired the stories featuring the beloved bear.
The real Hundred Acre Wood – the home of Winnie-the-Pooh author A. A. Milne, and the inspiration for his stories about the honey-loving bear – is in Sussex, just 36 miles south of London, making it an easy day trip or a great place to extend your visit to the area.
Discover the wonderful world of Winnie-the-Pooh, whose gentle wisdom and kind-heartedness have been immortalised in the classic tales that have captured imaginations for a century.
Exploring Ashdown Forest: The Hundred Acre Wood
“You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”
In 1925, author A. A. Milne and his wife moved to Cotchford Farm in the Ashdown Forest in Sussex. It was here that their son Christopher Robin enjoyed an outdoor childhood of climbing trees and playing by the river. These adventures inspired Milne to create the fictional Hundred Acre Wood as the setting for Winnie-the-Pooh, published in 1926, and The House at Pooh Corner, published in 1928.
Visitors can discover the literary landscape of Pooh country by exploring the real Hundred Acre Wood and seeking out the same lovable locations enjoyed by Winnie-the-Pooh and his forest friends.
The Enchanted Place, Poohsticks Bridge, and Pooh Corner are all within a short distance of each other, or can be explored on a long Winnie-the-Pooh walk from Pooh Corner in Hartfield (where you can get directions and a map).
Pooh Corner, Hartfield
“Any day spent with you is my favourite day. So, today is my new favourite day.”
In Hartfield, the pretty Sussex village where A. A. Milne lived, you’ll find Pooh Corner – a delightful museum, tea room, and shop dedicated to Winnie-the-Pooh.
Inside, the free-to-visit Pooh-seum showcases a collection of A. A. Milne and Winnie-the-Pooh memorabilia. Winnie-the-Pooh fans will find the collectibles and souvenirs filling the gift shop as irresistible as Pooh finds his favourite ‘hunny’. The charming tea room has two areas – Piglet’s tea room and the E.H. Shepard tea room. The tea room doesn’t take bookings, except for its popular afternoon tea.
It can be difficult to park in the village of Hartfield, so it’s worth visiting during the week if you can, bearing in mind Hartfield is a small village with limited parking. At the weekend and during the school holidays, parking is available at St Mary's C of E Primary School.
Poohsticks Bridge
“I think we should all play Poohsticks,” suggested Pooh. And so they did.
A must-visit location on any Pooh pilgrimage is to visit Poohsticks bridge and partake in the same whimsical game played there by Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, and friends in the stories.
To visit Poohsticks Bridge – which looks just like illustrator E. H. Shepard’s sketch in the books – walk from Pooh Corner in Hartfield or park at Pooh Car Park in Chuck Hatch (a five-minute drive from the village) for a shorter walk to the bridge.
Around the woods near Poohsticks Bridge, look out for Owl’s House, Piglet’s House, and Pooh’s House.
The Enchanted Place
"Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on top of the forest, a little bear will always be waiting."
The Enchanted Place is thought to be where Christopher Robin and Pooh sat and said goodbye at the end of The House at Pooh Corner.
At the top of the Ashdown Forest, with beautiful views across Pooh country, the spot is marked by a plaque dedicated to A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard.
A walk here can also take in more delightful places from the books: the Heffalump Trap, Gills Lap, and Roo’s Sandy Pit. To visit The Enchanted Place, the closest car parks are Piglets car park and Gills Lap car park.
