Winnie-the-Pooh at Ashdown Park Hotel
The Nation’s Favourite Bear.
Even the name makes one smile. Winnie-the-Pooh is an adorable character, with friends who are funny, vibrant, complex and thoughtful but always lovable. Ashdown Park Hotel celebrates this collection of cute rascals with events commemorating their birth 100 years ago.
The inspiration for the classic Winnie-the-Pooh books came from a teddy found by Alan and Daphne Milne in Harrods. It was a first birthday present for their son, Christopher, in 1921. Christopher was the inspiration for the only human character in the books, Christopher Robin. The bear was named Winnie after a celebrated bear in London Zoo.
Winnie-the-Pooh was published in 1926, followed by The House at Pooh Corner in 1928. Christopher Robin and his bear appeared in A.A. Milne’s poetry book When We Were Very Young in 1924 and later in Now We Are Six.
The year before the first book was published, Milne bought Cotchford Farm in Ashdown Forest. One can walk these historic woods when staying at Ashdown Park Hotel. They were the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood where the stories are set. There are places throughout the forest that will charm adult walkers and thrill youngsters. Take a map from the hotel reception and try and find Pooh’s house or owl’s home in the treetops. You can have your own adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood.
