If I think about what really inspired my love of travel the answer would be most definitely be books. I’ve always loved reading about faraway places and wondered what it would be like to go here or there. For the most part I read fiction, so unfortunately many of those faraway places don’t actually exist in the real world.
100 Aker Wood Original Drawing by E.H. Shepard
Imagine my surprise when my friend, and fellow blogger, Clare of Suitcases and Sandcastles wrote all about visiting the REAL Hundred Aker Wood aka Ashdown Forest! I was beyond delighted to discover that the famous forest from the classic children’s tale, Winnie the Pooh, is an actual place!
Having read the books, sung the songs, and watched the Disney movies countless times I’d never given much thought to the idea that the Hundred Acre Wood might actually be real. Now that we knew, we had to go there!
“You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for other’s to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” – Piglet
Deep in the hundred acre wood where Christopher Robin plays
You’ll find the enchanted neighborhood of Christopher’s childhood days
A donkey named Eeyore is his friend and Kanga and little Roo
There’s Rabbit and Piglet and there’s Owl, but most of all Winnie the Pooh.
I don’t know how many times I sang this song to my boys when they were little, but I never dreamed we’d actually visit!
Deep in the 100 Aker Wood…
We visited with Clare and her family over the winter holidays, which provided the perfect opportunity for an adventure in Ashdown Forest. Even better Clare and her boys, along with their dog Toffee, are familiar with the area, and I’m quite sure our visit wouldn’t have been the same without them!
Our first stop was Poohsticks Bridge, and we were all so excited when we discovered Owl’s House on our way. The bridge is a short walk from the car park and once we arrived we stopped to play a game of Poohsticks.
Just beyond the Poohsticks Bridge lies Winnie the Pooh’s house! No one was home when we stopped by, but we noticed that other’s had also come calling.
Winnie the Pooh’s House
Other stops from the stories included Roo’s Sandy Pit, The Enchanted Place, Galleon’s Lap, and Pooh Corner.
The Enchanted Place
Pooh’s Corner is a quaint little tea house and gift shop where one can find all things Pooh related including books, toys and other keepsakes.
We had a most magical day exploring the forest with our friends, the sun wasn’t shining, but we had the best time traipsing through the wood and making excellent use of our wellies!
This & That
The release of the film Goodbye Christopher Robin just prior to our England visit as well as a special Winnie the Pooh exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum seemed like serendipity! What perfect timing!
We learned about the origins of Pooh Bear, his co-creators A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard, and their creative process. Seeing many of the original drawings was really something special.
Younger visitors will enjoy the many interactive parts of the exhibit including a slide and a drawing table.
Tips & Advice:
PoohSticks Bridge Photo taken at the V&A Winnie the Pooh Exhibition
- If you haven’t seen the film Goodbye Christopher Robin I highly recommend, though you should know it’s not for younger children.
- The Winnie the Pooh Exhibition at the Victoria & Albert is on until April 2018.
- Ashdown Forest is located in East Sussex about 90 minutes from London, and can be reached via train, bus, or car. Directions are available via the official website.
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