Ashdown Forest Sussex: The place that inspired Winnie the Pooh

Located in East Sussex, Ashdown Forest is a large expanse of heathland and woodland spanning over 6,500 acres and dating back 3,000 years.

The scenery is a mix of rolling hills, heather, oak and birch trees and open views, along with free roaming deer and plenty of scope for birdwatching.

The scenery is a mix of rolling hills, heather, oak and birch trees and open views. (Image: Amanda Slater/Flickr)

90 minutes from London by car or from nearby Uckfield Station by train, this spot serves as a nostalgic walking location for families and nature and literary enthusiasts alike.

Now a protected Area of Natural Beauty (AONB), the forest’s unique mix of open heath and dense woodland derives from being used by humans as royal hunting ground over the centuries.

the forest’s unique mix of open heath and dense woodland derives from being used by humans as royal hunting ground. (Image: grassrootsgroundswell/Flickr)

But that’s not the only thing that makes this forest unique, as it has links to a beloved work of children’s literature.

Ashdown Forest served as the inspiration for the “Hundred Acre Wood” in A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh books.

Ashdown Forest served as the inspiration for the “Hundred Acre Wood” in A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh books. (Image: Tom Lee/Flickr)

Milne, who lived in nearby Hartfield, spent a lot of time walking through the forest with his young son Christopher Robin, and the scenery helped to fuel the imagination of the duo.

Today, visitors to the wood can spot a number of famous locations that appear in both the books and the Disney adaptations.

Among them is Poohsticks Bridge, where you can play the classic stick race game, along with Galleons Lap that served as the inspiration for the Enchanted Place, as well as the Heffalump Tree.

At Poohsticks Bridge you can play the classic stick race game. (Image: Robert Cosham/Flickr)

Fans of the books can also visit the village of Hartfield in East Sussex, which was the former home of Winnie the Pooh author A.A. Milne.

Located in the village is Pooh Corner, an 18th century cottage that has been turned into a cosy café, museum and shop dedicated to all things Winnie the Pooh.

Guests can enjoy a selection of sweet and savoury treats from their menu, including afternoon tea for under £30.

It’s a very popular location so do expect a wait for a table, but in the meantime you can always browse the museum, which contains Winnie the Pooh memorabilia, artwork and manuscripts, and shop for gifts in the gift shop.