With 2016 marking the 90th anniversary of the first Winnie the Pooh book, I needed no better excuse to head off on a day’s hiking to Ashdown Forest: the inspiration for A.A. Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood. Spurred on by my recent celebrity-inspired hike to the Chilterns, what better way to relieve corporate stress than with a game of pooh sticks and a honey sandwich or two?
Ashdown Forest
Located a mere one hour train ride from London Bridge, we disembark at the town of Ashurst – five miles west of Tunbridge Wells. Today we’re a small party of twelve accompanied by an exuberant German short haired pointer called Oscar.
Hiking through Ashdown Forest
One of the south-east’s best-kept secrets, Ashdown forest covers 10 square miles consisting of shady pine trees, sandy pathways and breath-taking views across Kent. There are two maps available highlighting the main Winnie the Pooh sights of interest. After much deliberation, we opt for a twelve mile circuit which takes us past the A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard memorial / viewing point, the Pooh Sticks bridge and onto Hartfield Village: home to the Pooh Corner shop.
Ashdown Forest
Skipping across farmland and narrow country lanes, we encounter our first Oast house which are a common landmark across the hop-growing fields of Kent. In the old days, hop plants were taken to the Oast house to be dried, cooled and packed ready to be transported to the brewery. Oast houses became redundant during the industrial age but are now enjoying a renaissance as much sought-after properties – (typically selling for £600,000 upwards for a three bedroom house).
Oast House, Kent
Delving deeper into the woodland, a haze of violet catches our eye as the season’s first bluebells come into view. Seizing the moment, we can’t resist taking a few snaps of our good-natured canine companion posing serenely amidst the sea of blue.
Bluebell patch, Ashdown Forest
Marching on for another hour, we finally come across an idyllic clearing dedicated with a stunning panoramic viewing point stretching as far as the eye can see. The plaque is dedicated to A.A. Milne and his illustrator, E.H. Shepard. Ever the dutiful hound, Oscar patiently poses for his adoring fans on top of the plaque.
Viewing point, Ashdown Forest
Marching on we go in search of the famous pooh sticks bridge which is notoriously difficult to find tucked away to the northern edge of the forest. Fortunately it’s clearly sign-posted and we scurry on in anticipation. Moments later, we encounter a fortress of scaffolding. Just our luck that it’s closed for renovations.
Pooh sticks bridge, Ashdown Forest
After a lengthy detour, we make it across to the other side of the bridge where we stumble across a shrine paying homage to the bear. Illustrations of Pooh, a suspiciously empty honey pot and Piglet-style skinny scarf hangs rakishly from a branch. To add to the magic, there’s even a little blue door etched into the tree.
Ashdown Forest
Feeling peckish, we head towards civilisation and the picturesque village of Hartfield – home to the Pooh Corner tea room and shop. As you might expect the shop is stacked with Winnie the Pooh memorabilia from postcards through to honey pots, note books and cuddly characters. If only I was thirty years younger, I muse wistfully.
Pooh Corner shop, Hartfield
Resisting the temptation to leave with a stuffed piglet in my backpack, we stop for a quick slice of quiche in the village’s café which has bizarrely morphed into a butcher’s shop. (Needless to say, no trace of a honey sandwich in sight.)
Bracing the icy April winds, we make our way back on our circular route back to Ashurst station. We may not have got our game of pooh sticks but the Hundred Acre Wood has transported us all back to the magic of childhood. In the words of A.A. Milne, “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” And some day, I will certainly return to this enchanted forest.