Unprecedented images captured by our platform of The House at Pooh Corner during the time when A. A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin resided there.
Delve into the enchanting world of Winnie-the-Pooh with the Country Life Image Archive, a treasure trove of over 150,000 images documenting British cultural heritage.
Nestled amongst these historical gems are never-before-seen photographs taken in 1931, capturing the cozy interiors and magical grounds of Cotchford Farm, the East Sussex home of A.A. Milne and the setting for his beloved children's book, "The House at Pooh Corner."
These images offer a nostalgic glimpse into the actual home that inspired Pooh Corner, with details like low beams, fireplaces, and the surroundings linked to the creation of Pooh Sticks and the iconic characters.
The Country Life Image Archive is expanding its collection, with an additional 50,000 assets scheduled to be added this year, with completion expected in Summer 2025. Access to these images requires registration on their platform for searching and purchasing.
Melanie Bryan, a freelance picture editor and writer, and the former Archive Manager at the Country Life platform magazine, shares a special connection with Cotchford Farm. Though she didn't work there during Milne's time, she enjoys tootling around God's Own County on her bicycle and visiting cafes and hostelries in the area.
In 1925, Cotchford Farm was bought by Christopher Robin Milne's parents as a weekend escape from London. It was here that A.A. Milne wrote the majority of his Winnie-the-Pooh books, and it was also the birthplace of the game of Pooh Sticks.
Christopher Robin Milne left Cotchford Farm in 1931 to go to boarding school, and it was on September 24 of that year that photographs were taken of the 16th-century cottage. These photographs, though not up to the editor's standards, capture a historically and culturally important building at a specific time in its history.
Despite Cotchford Farm's fame as a location near Poohsticks Bridge and its notable history, other sources do not detail historical images specifically. There are also more recent photos and references linked to Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones living there later, but these concern the 1960s era, not the original Milne period.
For those seeking a peek into the world of Winnie-the-Pooh's origin, the Country Life Image Archive is the best source for high-quality, dated photographs from the Milne family’s time at the property starting in 1925 and specifically photographs from 1931 showing the home as depicted in Milne’s stories.
Melanie Bryan, who has worked for national and international publications and publishers all her life, covering news, politics, sport, features, and more, now resides in rural Ryedale, North Yorkshire. She fondly remembers the times when Piglet and Winnie-the-Pooh often discussed the vagaries of life at Cotchford Farm.
[1] Source: Country Life Image Archive website [3] Source: The Guardian [4] Source: Poohsticks Bridge website [5] Source: Rolling Stone magazine
- Intrigued by fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden aesthetics, one might find inspiration in the Country Life Image Archive, a rich repository of images that also houses photographs of Cotchford Farm, the real-life backdrop of Pooh Corner from the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh books.
- After a day of pondering literary masterpieces and entertainment, one can unwind with a curated selection of books, perhaps some insightful biographies of A.A. Milne to understand the creation of his iconic characters, surrounded by the comforts of home - a charming lifestyle resembling that of Winnie-the-Pooh's Cotchford Farm.
