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Everything you need to know about visiting Pooh Corner…
I first came across Pooh Corner a few summers ago when it started making its rounds on TikTok. Prior to this I had no idea that a place dedicated entirely to a classic piece of children’s literature even existed.
In photos and videos, this literary destination looked like a sweet and wholesome day out and so I began planning my visit.
Pooh Corner and its history
Pooh Corner is a famous English tourist spot located in Hartfield, East Sussex. It is made up of a tearoom, gift shop and mini museum – all designed to celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne.
The book was first published in 1926, featuring illustrations from E. H. Shepard. The story was inspired by the authors son, Christopher Robin Milne, as well as his stuffed toys and fascination with a black bear named Winnie (Winnipeg) at London Zoo. A.A. Milne’s creativity was also sparked by the rolling hills of Ashdown Forest.
In 1978, Sackville Cottage (dating back to 1703) officially became Pooh Corner. It opened as a gift and tea shop under husband and wife Mike and June Ridley. Mike had previously produced Winnie-the-Pooh ceramics for Disney and had met with A.A. Milne’s son Christopher on a number of occasions. Christopher recounts his visits to Pooh Corner in his memoir The Enchanted Places.
Due to ill health, Mike sold Pooh Corner to the Ashby family in 2013. It was then further developed and the destination subsequently grew in popularity.
As of January 25 2019, Pooh Corner is owned by Neil and Samantha Reed. The couple have successfully maintained the attractions legacy and quaint charm. They are also responsible for adding the museum to the original building.
Inside Pooh Corner:
The Pooh Corner Gift Shop
The first thing visitors see when they enter Pooh Corner is the gift shop. The shop has a generous amount of products for sale including souvenirs, ceramics, toys, books and gifts. All merchandise is licensed by Disney, and collectables are authentic vintage items.
If you aren’t able to visit Pooh Corner, you are still able to browse and purchase items through their online shop found here.
The Pooh Corner Museum
This mini museum can be found at the back of the historic building. Though the space is quite small, it is filled with plenty of Winnie-the-Pooh trivia and things to look at to keep both adults and children entertained.
You can expect to see:
- Rare exhibits
- Rare books
- Sketches
- Letters
The Pooh Corner Café (Piglet’s Tearoom)
It’s important to know before you visit that the cafe is known to get quite busy, and my visit was no exception. We had to wait around 30 minutes for a table to become available, and we (luckily) ended up in the cafe garden. This outdoor space is absolutely stunning, with its French-style furniture and cosy atmosphere. The inside cafe is equally as cute – filled with memorabilia and even a TV playing the 1977 Disney animation.
As we had already eaten some picky bits on the journey – we ended up ordering tea, scones and some teddy bear toast, as seen in the photo below.
The food and drink on offer is fresh, homemade and reasonably priced – accommodating to almost all dietary needs. Other menu items include coffee, milkshakes, cakes, sandwiches and ice cream.
Tables are on a first-come, first-serve basis – however afternoon teas still need to be booked in advance. You can book an afternoon tea at Pooh Corner here.
Pooh Corner Trail Walks
Pooh Corner is situated on the edge of Ashdown Forest, the woodland which provided the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood. The forest is accessible to the public however there are some things you should know before you arrive.
There are two main walking trails visitors can take, as explained below.
The short walk
The first walk is a short and gentle one at 0.6 miles (1km), perfect for families or those with less time to explore.
Starting at Gills Lap Car Park, the walk covers The Enchanted Place and The Sandy Pit (Piglet’s Sandpit).
The Enchanted Place is a special spot that sits at the top of Ashdown Forest. Here you will experience stunning views of the surroundings, the village of Hartfield and Cotchford Farm (where the Milne family once resided). The Enchanted Place is also home to a plaque dedicated to the author and illustrator of Winnie-the-Pooh, unveiled by Christopher Robin himself in 1979.
The Sandy Pit, known as Roo’s Sandy Pit, is where Roo played and jumped in the stories. As this location is actually a disused sandstone quarry, it is helpful to know that the land can be uneven – so make sure you wear comfortable shoes!
If you choose to do the short walk, you can follow the same path as the longer one, but turn back towards the car park from Piglets Sandpit.
The long walk
This walk is much more intense, at around 2 miles (3.25km). This journey allows you to see both The Enchanted Place and Piglets Sandpit – but with additional sites added on such as the North Pole and Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place.
The North Pole is a spot close to Pooh Bridge, and whilst there is no actual pole here, there is the stream that Roo fell into in chapter eight of the book. As this location is out of the way and sits at the bottom of a steep valley, it is not advised to take children or prams here.
Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place sits in Wren’s Warren Valley. Further away from the rest of the Pooh sites, this location inspired the stick house where Donkey lived in the novel. Described as sad, muddy and damp – it was the perfect place for Donkey to call home. It is not a recommended spot however for children, prams or the elderly.
Should I do the walking trail before or after exploring Pooh Corner?
Walks can be done before or after – however I would recommend going afterwards. This is because it is easy to get lost, and walking may not leave enough time for the main attraction. You can also purchase a £1.50 map from inside Pooh Corner, which will make your journey through the forest a whole lot easier.