An enchanted place! The house of Winnie-the-Pooh and co has superb walks, uncommon wildlife and plenty of historical past

Anybody remotely conscious of Winnie-the-Pooh ought to know that Ashdown Forest is an Enchanted Place.

It’s the place A. A. Milne set the tales about his son Christopher Robin and his toys, Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger and Pooh bear.

The bridge the place they performed Poohsticks, inbuilt 1907, survives, at the least in reproduction — the wooden it was made with had rotted by 1999.

It’s not the one Winnie-the-Pooh website, although. Official booklets on Pooh Walks cowl Roo’s Sandy Pit, the North Pole, Eeyore’s Unhappy And Gloomy Place, Galleon’s Lap and the Heffalump Entice.

This magical nook of East Sussex, between East Grinstead and Crowborough, is teeming with uncommon wildlife. 

Ashdown Forest is is the place A. A. Milne set the Winnie-the-Pooh tales. Above is a reproduction of the bridge the place the collection’ characters performed Poohsticks

‘Forest’ is a deceptive time period since a lot of the panorama is heathland. It has worldwide classification as a Particular Safety Space for wild birds, such because the nightjar, which comes from Africa to breed right here. There are additionally butterflies galore.

Though the South-East of England is likely one of the most densely populated areas of Europe, this stays a spot of open vistas, the place you possibly can stroll and surprise.

Forests have been essential throughout the Center Ages, when wooden was used to make instruments, ships, furnishings and homes. Ashdown Forest was given to Edward III’s son, John of Gaunt, for searching.

Get caught up in A.A. Milne’s tales throughout your go to to the forest – official booklets on Pooh Walks cowl Roo’s Sandy Pit, the North Pole, Eeyore’s Unhappy And Gloomy Place, Galleon’s Lap and the Heffalump Entice. Above is the Pooh Nook present store 

It remained a royal forest into the seventeenth century. As a result of its provide of wooden mixed with deposits of iron ore, Ashdown Forest supported an iron business in Roman and Tudor occasions — in 1496 England’s first blast furnace was constructed at Newbridge.

Inside strolling distance of Buddy’s Clump automobile park is Nutley Windmill, a 300-year-old open-trestle put up mill, in full working order.

Pause for a second at Airman’s Grave, a memorial to the six-man crew of a Wellington Bomber of the 142 Squadron, which crashed within the forest on July 31, 1941, as a part of a 100-plane bombing raid on its approach to Cologne.

Above is Nutley Windmill, a 300-year-old open-trestle put up mill, which is in full working order

To the west of the forest, within the valley of West Hoathly, you’ll discover The Cat Inn (above), a Sixteenth-century freehouse with oak beams and actual ales. ‘I believe it’s the most effective pub in England,’ says Clive 

And whereas Groombridge Place, a moated manor home inbuilt 1662, is at present closed for refurbishment, you possibly can nonetheless go to the close by Spa Valley Railway to observe steam trains go by. You possibly can even hop on board and make a journey alongside the monitor to Eridge or Tunbridge Wells.

It’s technically outdoors Ashdown Forest however is near Pooh Nook.

For the reason that Victorian interval, the forest has attracted metropolis dwellers in want of a religious carry, together with A. A.Milne. His house, Cotchford Farm, is out there on Airbnb, with six bedrooms; company can sleep in Christopher Robin’s room.

Good for followers of Winnie-the-Pooh, A.A. Milne’s house, Cotchford Farm (above), is out there to lease on Airbnb

Keep at Chauffeur’s Cottage (above) in close by Uckfield, which sleeps six 

Among the many villages is the aptly named Forest Row, lately dubbed one of many poshest in England by a nationwide newspaper.

It’s a centre of other existence. Scrumptious natural/vegan fare is served at The Seasons Kitchen.

Enterprise six miles west, into the Excessive Weald, and also you’ll discover The Cat Inn, a Sixteenth-century freehouse with oak beams and actual ales, within the valley of West Hoathly. I believe it’s the most effective pub in England.