A.A. Milne

‘Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on top of the Forest, a little boy and his bear will always be playing.’ 

So wrote AA Milne about his son Christopher Robin and his creation Winnie the Pooh - a 'Bear of Very Little Brain'. Alan Alexander Milne's characters have been around since 1925, and have been enjoyed by children and adults alike ever since. Milne's inspiration for the 100 Acre Wood, Poohsticks Bridge, Galleon's Lap, Roo's Sandpit and the North Pole, were inspired by the Ashdown Forest area in East Sussex. 

Milne created the stories of his son's adventures with his favourite stuffed animals while living at Cotchford Farm in Hartfield, although Winnie was based on a bear at London Zoo that Milne visited with Christopher Robin in 1924. 

Poohsticks Brdge can be seen in Upper Hartfield village. Originally called Posingford Bridge and built in 1907, it was restored and renamed Poohsticks Bridge in 1979, when it was reopened by Christopher Milne. Gills Lap, known as Galleon’s Lap in the stories, is the highest point of Ashdown Forest, and there is a commemorative plaque there to Pooh. This was the spot where Pooh and Christopher Robin went at the end of the final book, The House at Pooh Corner. 

Today, Ashdown Forest has hardly changed and many of the sights are easily accessible; this beautiful part of the Sussex countryside is perfect for walking and horse riding.

Further information

Ashdown Forest (www.ashdownforest.co.uk)