Hiking in the 100 Acre Wood
Did you know that A. A. Milne’s infamously inspiring wood is actually 500 acres? The 100 acre wood is based on the 500 acre Ashdown Forest in East Sussex.
affiliate links are included below.
Beforehand
The Ashdown Forest is a pretty place for a ramble, but knowing the stories of Winnie the Pooh definitely makes it more magical. Before you hike, really familiarize yourself with the Adventures of Pooh. If you’re doing it with this hike in mind, you might want to really talk about the different spots in the woods or with older kids, make a map together of how you envision the woods.
Read about Pooh’s Adventures
The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie the Pooh
Buy Online
or Listen to the Audiobook
The Collected Stories of Winnie the Pooh
Buy Online
Watch Winnie the Pooh.
Available on Amazon
Hike in Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest
Wych Cross
Forest Row RH18 5JP
United Kingdom
- Brochure with More Info about the spots that inspired Pooh stories.
- Mapped Walks with more info.
You have to use your imagine to see the woods through his eyes, but what a gorgeous spot to hike and pretend.
The brochure included about has spots or places around the loop trail that inspired some of the stories in the Winnie the Pooh adventures. You can see: the river where Pooh saved Piglet, Eeyore’s gloomy spot, the Hefflelump forest and tree trap and more.
None of these are labeled in the forest, you need to either print the map or have it pulled up on your phone. I always think it is best to warn your kids that this isn’t like a Disneyland view of Pooh. This is the real place that Milne hiked and they have to be prepared to use their imagination like he did.
Afterwards
Pooh Corner. Sussex.
After your hike, if you have time you can also visit Pooh Corner. This is a small spot at the edge of Ashdown where there is a little museum and you can pop in for tea.
Home Activity Ideas
Back at home, if your kids are excited about the hike and all things Pooh they might enjoy:
- Re-read some favorite stories or watch Winnie the Pooh again. You can take it one step further by encouraging your kids to act out their favorite story with Pooh Character Puppets like these ones.
- Write your own Pooh story. Older kids who love to write (or homeschoolers who want to add a little writing to your adventure) could write their own story about a spot in the forest.
- Matching Game. Kids under 5 would love this adorable matching game inspired by the characters and stories of Winnie the Pooh. Find Online
- Make Winnie Pooh Honey Snacks together. You can use this easy recipe.
