An enchanted place! The home of Winnie-the-Pooh and co has glorious walks, unusual wildlife and lots of history

Anyone who knows about Winnie-the-Pooh should know that Ashdown Forest is an enchanted place.

Here AA Milne posted the stories about his son Christopher Robin and his toys, Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger and Poohbear.

The bridge where they played Poohsticks, built in 1907, survives, at least in replica – the wood it was made with had rotted by 1999.

It’s not the only Winnie-the-Pooh site, though. Official Pooh Walks booklets cover Roo’s Sandy Pit, the North Pole, Eeyore’s Sad And Gloomy Place, Galleon’s Lap, and the Heffalump Trap.

This magical corner of East Sussex, between East Grinstead and Crowborough, is teeming with unusual wildlife.

‘Forest’ is a misleading term as much of the landscape is heathland. It has international classification as a Special Area of ​​Conservation for wild birds, such as the nightjar, which come from Africa to breed here. There are also butterflies in abundance.

Although the South East of England is one of the most densely populated areas in Europe, it remains a place of open vistas where you can walk and wonder.

Forests were important during the Middle Ages when wood was used to make tools, ships, furniture and houses. Ashdown Forest was given to Edward III’s son John of Gaunt for hunting.

Get caught up in the tales of AA Milne when you visit the forest – official Pooh Walks booklets cover Roo’s Sandy Pit, the North Pole, Eeyore’s Sad And Gloomy Place, Galleon’s Lap and the Heffalump Trap. Upstairs is the Pooh Corner gift shop

It remained a royal forest until the 17th century. Due to the supply of timber combined with iron ore deposits, Ashdown Forest supported an iron industry in Roman and Tudor times – in 1496 England’s first blast furnace was built at Newbridge.

Within walking distance of the Friend’s Clump car park is Nutley Windmill, a 300 year old open trestle mill, in full working order.

Take a break at Airman’s Grave, a memorial to the six-man crew of a Wellington Bomber of No. 142 Squadron, which crashed into the woods on 31 July 1941 as part of a 100-aircraft bombing raid on its way to Cologne.

Above is Nutley Windmill, a 300 year old open trestle mill, in full working order

To the west of the forest, in the valley of West Hoathly, you’ll find The Cat Inn (above), a 16th-century, oak-beamed freehouse with real ales. “I think it’s the best pub in England,” says Clive

And although Groombridge Place, a moated manor house dating from 1662, is currently closed for refurbishment, you can still visit the nearby Spa Valley Railway to watch steam trains pass by. You can even hop aboard and take a trip on the rail to Eridge or Tunbridge Wells.

It is technically outside Ashdown Forest but is close to Pooh Corner.

Since the Victorian period, the forest has attracted townspeople in need of a spiritual lift, including AAMilne. His home, Cotchford Farm, is available on Airbnb, with six bedrooms; guests can sleep in Christopher Robin’s room.

Perfect for Winnie-the-Pooh fans, AA Milne’s home, Cotchford Farm (above), is available to rent on Airbnb

Stay in Chauffeur’s Cottage (above) in nearby Uckfield, which can sleep six people

One of the villages is the aptly named Forest Row, recently voted one of the poshest in England by a national newspaper.

It is a center of alternative lifestyles. Delicious organic/vegan dishes are served at The Seasons Kitchen.

Head six miles west into the High Weald and you’ll find The Cat Inn, an oak-beamed 16th-century freehouse with real ales, in the valley of West Hoathly. I think it’s the best pub in England.