The English region ‘known for Winnie the Pooh’ named top place to travel in 2026 by New York Times
ONE county in the UK is on the must-visit list for 2026 as it celebrates 200 years of a beloved children’s story.
The tales of Winnie-the-Pooh written by A.A. Milne were inspired by Ashdown Forest in East Sussex.
New York Times named ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’s England‘ as one of the best places to visit in 2026.
Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared in print on December 24, 1925 – and just over 100 years on the destination has become a must-see for fans of the bear around the world.
The publication said: “The focal point will be in East Sussex, where Milne lived in a 16th-century farmhouse with his wife and son, Christopher Robin, who played there with his stuffed bear.“
The author A.A. Milne lived in East Sussex for most of his life – and it’s where he was inspired to create Winnie-the-Pooh.
Milne lived in Hartfield, which is found 30 miles south of London.
He based the story in the fictional Hundred Acre Wood which is inspired on the real-life Ashdown Forest just minutes away.
Fans of the tale can actually see locations like Poohsticks Bridge which was originally called Posingford Bridge and was built in 1907.
There’s also Galleons Lap which is the real-life inspiration for “The Enchanted Place” – essentially a circular clump of trees on a hilltop.
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Visitors who want to explore the actual forest and find these spots to relive the magical adventures of Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and friends can do so on a guided walk.
Throughout 2026 there are even organised Pooh Treks through Ashdown Forest.
The guided walk will “reveal awe-inspiring views across the forest, with story locations within comfortable walking distance of each other.
“With our expert local guide sharing the literary history and natural surroundings, your visit becomes something rather special.”
The experience is for four to six explorers and there can be tailored itineraries.
It can also includes lunch at a classic English country pub and afternoon tea at Piglets Tea Room in Pooh Corner.
Pooh Corner is also home to a range of original Winnie the Pooh sketches by illustrator EH Shepard, and another room filled with movie posters and other artwork.
If you fancy, taking a gander around Ashdown Forest on your own – it’s free entry into the woodland.
A.A. Milne lived at Cotchford Farm in Hartfield which is now a holiday cottage – so you can actually stay in it yourself.
The 16th-century farmhouse has six bedrooms and three reception rooms which includes Milne’s writing study and a music/library room.
There’s also a kitchen, oak-panelled dining room, family rooms along with two acres of gardens, wildflower meadows, swimming pool and a tennis court.
The whole property that sleeps 12 can be booked from £1,200 per night.
Check Out The Top Destinations Around The World To Visit In 2026…
Here are the 52 top destinations to go to New York Times…
- Revolutionary America
- Warsaw, Poland
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
- Bandhavgarh, India
- Dallas, Texas
- Oran, Algeria
- Route 66, USA
- Saba, Caribbean
- Poblenou, Barcelona, Spain
- Nepal’s Other Mountains
- Bayreuth, Germany
- Canadian Rockies by Train
- Top End, Australia
- Penang, Malaysia
- Los Angeles, California
- Nagasaki, Japan
- Breuil-Cervinia, Italy
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Armenia
- Sorolla’s Spain
- Winnie-the-Pooh’s England
- Seychelles
- Inhotim, Brazil
- Iceland
- Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida
- Hyde Park, Chicago
- Træna Islands, Norway
- Miches, Dominican Republic
- Portland, Oregon
- Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan
- Assisi, Italy
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
- Vietnam
- Querétaro, Mexico
- Medora, North Dakota
- Camiguin, Philippines
- Messinia, Greece
- Guyana
- Deer Valley, Utah
- Yunnan, China
- Bentonville, Arkansas
- Cape Froward, Chile
- Genoa, Italy
- Dongseo Trail, South Korea
- Okinawa, Japan
- Río Pastaza Watershed, Ecuador
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
- Melbourne, Australia
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Big Sur, California
- Møn, Denmark
For more on country escapes, here are ten of our top country houses to visit in 2026 – including tropical seaside gardens, deer safaris and luxurious spas.
And here are six holiday homes from TV shows and films that you can stay at in the UK… with game rooms and hot tubs.