If you go down to the woods today you might not find a teddy bear’s picnic but you might discover the world of a yellow bear called Winnie the Pooh.
Follow in Pooh, Tiger, Piglet and the rest of the gang’s footsteps starting in Hartfield village on the northern edge of Ashdown Forest, the inspiration Hundred Acre Wood. Visit Pooh Corner the village shop and tearoom where Christopher Robin regularly visited. This must visit shop stocks the largest selection of Pooh products anywhere in the world including Pooh Walk maps. Read our popular Hartfield area guide for local amenities.
Next is the hunt for Pooh Bridge (or Posingford Bridge as its named on the map) for a game of Pooh Sticks. Pooh Bridge sits at the bottom of a wooded hill a few miles outside the village. By car head through the village, turn left at the signpost towards the B2026 and Maresfield. After 1.5 miles you will arrive at Chuck Hatch, turn right at the sign for Marsh Green and Newbridge. You will find Pooh Car Park just a little further down on the right. From the car park there is a wide foot path down to the bridge. The area is untouched by commercialism – it is still just a woodland with a bridge where imaginations can run free. The perfect place to find yourself busy doing nothing. Look out for Owl’s House in the treetops. And do not forget to collect stick on your way down.
Or for something a little off-piste explore the last remaining packhorse bridge on Ashdown Forest – there used to be two but the other was stolen about 20 years ago! Park at Church Hill car park located on the road between Groombridge and the ice cream van (Church Hill Road – B2188). Head downhill into the valley and head towards the little bridge where the stream and the river meet. It once served the New Mill where the flour for one of Queen Victoria’s wedding cakes was produced. It is a lovely area to explore on foot, paw, or hoof. There is even a rope swing over the stream to ensure muddy feet. Do keep North of the bridge as the land to the South is privately owned and not part of Ashdown Forest.
Once the bridges have been discovered, explore the rest of Ashdown Forest with Pooh Walks from Gills Lap (Galleon’s Lap in the Pooh books). You can find the Enchanted Place and Roo’s Sandy Pit (the shorter walk suitable for younger children), and the North Pole and Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place in the longer walk. There are several cycle routes including the 9 ½ mile Forest Way which runs through Hartfield but also forms part of larger cycle routes National Cycle Network Route 21, Downs and Weald Way, Forest Way and Ashdown Forest circular and Ashdown Forest and Crowborough circular.
So grab your big boots, some honey, pay no mind to blustery days or Heffalumps and explore.
Photography courtesy of India Boyes-Burrough including those on social media
