Cotchford Farm is the iconic country home in the heart of Ashdown Forest where A.A. Milne wrote Winnie-the-Pooh 100 years ago.
Just outside the village of Hartfield in East Sussex, this six-bedroom retreat features a tennis court, private gardens, and rich literary history.
Now is your chance to step inside the gardens of this wonderful 16th Century farmhouse as the world celebrates the magical centenary.
The owners are very generously opening the gardens to the public in support of Ashdown Forest on the weekend of May 16-17.
And – as an added extra – on display will be a previously unseen sketch of Winnie-the-Pooh by illustrator Ernest Howard Shepard.
Recently put on sale by Shepard’s family, one of nine rare sketches has been bought by Neil Reed, the owner of Pooh Corner in Hartfield and an Ambassador for The Ashdown Forest Foundation.
Neil will have a ‘Pop Up Pooh Corner’ including letters written by AA Milne and his wife Daphne at Cotchford Farm. There will also be Pooh bears for sale.
Ashdown Forest CEO Mark Pearson said: “This is a unique opportunity to explore these private gardens and woodland and learn more about its special role in our literary heritage.
“It’s a very special year celebrating 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh, and we are thrilled that Cotchford Farm is featuring in these celebrations.
“All funds from this event will support The Ashdown Forest Foundation, the charitable arm of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest tasked with raising funds to ensure the best possible future for the Forest.
“Tickets are selling fast so it is advisable to book yours as soon as possible.”
There are two sessions on each of the two days – 10am to 1pm and then 2pm to 5pm on both Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17. Tickets cost £15 per person, per session.
Please note that the ticket includes access to the gardens only. There is no access to the house.
Beverages and light refreshments will be available to purchase.
The East Grinstead Bookshop will be bringing a pop-up bookshop to the event, offering a range of Pooh-related books for readers of all ages.
There will also be a raffle and an opportunity to bid in a silent auction for a unique painting that is being created by artist Sue Holpin to commemorate the weekend.
Please note that due to the nature of the landscaping of the gardens, wheelchair and pushchair access is not available.
No dogs please.
To book, go to The Ashdown Forest Foundation – Cotchford Farm Open Gardens 16-17 May 2026
Tickets are non-refundable. If the organisers cancel the event, the ticket price will be refunded.
For further details, email hello@ashdownforestfdn.org
