The origins of the stories are by now literary folklore. A. A. Milne drew inspiration from his son Christopher Robin Milne and the family's stuffed animals, while the landscapes of Ashdown Forest in East Sussex became the basis for the Hundred Acre Wood. Before the first book arrived, Pooh had already made his debut in the London Evening News on Christmas Eve 1925 in the story The Wrong Sort of Bees – a fitting introduction for a bear whose chief preoccupation was, naturally, honey. A century later, the celebrations are rolling out in earnest.
Ashdown Forest: The Big One Hundred
The real-life inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood is hosting a series of centenary celebrations throughout 2026, including interactive performances, family trails, storytelling events and woodland experiences designed to bring Milne's world to life in suitably gentle fashion. We feel a round of Pooh Sticks coming on.
The Royal Mint: Special Edition 50p Coins
Collectors are already scrambling for The Royal Mint's commemorative Winnie-the-Pooh coin collection, which features beautifully illustrated designs celebrating Pooh and his friends across a special three-coin series.
LEGO: New Hundred Acre Wood Sets
New LEGO releases inspired by Pooh's world are landing throughout 2026, with charmingly detailed builds recreating Pooh Bear's house, the bridge at Poohsticks and other familiar corners of the Hundred Acre Wood. Ideal for those moments when one sits and thinks, rather than simply sits.
New Books & Anniversary Editions
Publishers are marking Pooh's centenary with a flurry of new releases, collectable editions and beautifully refreshed classics throughout 2026. Leading the charge is Farshore, which is publishing redesigned anniversary editions of the original A.A. Milne books, alongside authorised new companion titles and special hardbacks featuring E.H. Shepard's beloved illustrations. Expect literary festivals, storytelling events and plenty of nostalgia-fuelled gifting opportunities along the way.
Disney's 'Live The Hunny Life' Campaign
Disney's year-long centenary campaign is leaning fully into Pooh's enduring appeal as the patron saint of slowing down and appreciating life's smaller pleasures. Running throughout 2026, 'Live The Hunny Life' spans immersive events, creator-led storytelling, nostalgic collaborations and new publishing launches, all designed to bring audiences back into the Hundred Acre Wood.
And Finally: For The Pooh Way To Celebrate – Eat Honey!
Pooh's love of 'a little something' was about small pleasures taken seriously – something the best artisan honey producers understand instinctively. Good honey has its own terroir, shaped by season, weather and wildflowers; a jar can taste of woodland, salt marsh or summer hedgerow in much the same way wine reflects a vineyard. These British producers are doing it exceptionally well. Best eaten by the pawful.
Black Bee Honey
Among the most exciting British honey producers working today, Black Bee Honey has developed something of a cult following for its small-batch, beautifully sourced jars. Founded by honey sommelier Paul Webb, the company works with beekeepers across Britain and Europe to create raw honeys with real character and complexity. Its standout offering, Pollen Honey, is particularly remarkable: silky, floral and rich with bee pollen for a faintly textured finish that feels almost spoon-dessert-worthy. The sort of honey Pooh himself would almost certainly have kept stashed away from the others.
Buy it.
The London Honey Co.
One of the original champions of terroir-led British honey, The London Honey Co. has spent years persuading us that honey can be every bit as nuanced as wine or olive oil. Its single-origin jars range from intensely herbal heather honey to delicate, floral varieties gathered from city rooftops and wild countryside alike.
Buy it.
The Hive Honey Shop
This Clapham institution was established in 1992 by the shop's head beekeeper, James, who has been an apiarist since he was five years old. He is the third generation of beekeepers in his family (they have been at it since 1924) and his depth of knowledge is remarkable. The honey he sells at his shop and online is produced by his own hives all around the country. As he explains, 'As a bee farmer I look after all my own beehives at several apiary sites around the country. I take a trailer load of beehives to specific floral areas which I know will yield a certain type of honey. In this way I am able to offer a wide variety of limited single-floral honeys, for example sweet chestnut, heather, linden blossom, hawthorn etc.' As well as delicious honey – we recommend the local London Wildflower variety – he also sells beeswax candles, vintage honeypots, beekeeping books, equipment for fellow apiarists, and cosmetic and health products. His is a world to get lost in and finally emerge happier and healthier for being in the presence of such dedication.
Buy it.
FAQs: Winnie The Pooh At 100
When is Winnie-the-Pooh's 100th anniversary?
Winnie-the-Pooh celebrates its centenary in October 2026, marking 100 years since A. A. Milne's first book was published.
Where was Winnie-the-Pooh inspired by?
The stories were inspired by Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, which became the fictional Hundred Acre Wood in Milne's books.
Are there official Winnie-the-Pooh centenary events taking place?
Yes. Celebrations throughout 2026 include woodland trails, storytelling events, anniversary book editions, Disney campaigns and collectible releases.
Is Disney involved in the Winnie-the-Pooh 100 celebrations?
Yes. Disney is running its 'Live The Hunny Life' campaign across 2026, featuring collaborations, immersive experiences and new releases inspired by Pooh and friends.
Can you visit the real Hundred Acre Wood?
You can visit Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, where many of the landscapes that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood can still be explored today, including the famous Poohsticks Bridge area.
