clarissaspassport If you love places where stories live in the landscape, The Big One Hundred at Ashdown Forest deserves a spot on your 2026 travel list. Launching in summer 2026, this free cultural experience celebrates 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh in the real forest that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood: Ashdown Forest. This is not a rushed attraction or a one-hour activity. It’s a slow, thoughtful way to explore a place with deep literary and natural roots.
Exploring the Landscape That Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
Ashdown Forest sits in the heart of East Sussex and offers far more than its literary links. It ranks as one of the largest remaining areas of lowland heathland in the South East. This habitat is rarer than tropical rainforest and supports some of Europe’s most threatened species. A visit here feels open, spacious and grounding, making it ideal for walkers, families and anyone seeking quieter travel experiences.
Outdoor Performances and a New Forest Creature
Trigger created and produced The Big One Hundred as an outdoor storytelling experience. The project introduces a brand-new mythical inhabitant called The Curious Adventurer. Inspired by the Forest’s wildlife and rare heathland, ten puppeteers bring this large-scale puppet creature to life during interactive performances across the Forest. Visitors encounter the story while walking, rather than sitting in one place. The creature will also tour cultural and heritage sites across Sussex in summer 2026, with dates announced closer to launch.
Five New Walks to Discover at Ashdown Forest
The Big One Hundred also introduces five new themed walks, including the Forest’s first all-weather accessible route. Each walk focuses on a different native species. These include the Dartford Warbler, the Silver-Studded Blue Butterfly, the Adder, the Tiger Beetle and the Dormouse. The routes encourage visitors to slow down, notice their surroundings and understand why this landscape matters. They work especially well for families and anyone who enjoys nature-led travel.
Why This Experience Works So Well for Families
This project stands out because it combines creativity with exploration. Children engage through storytelling and imagination. Adults enjoy the calm, open setting. I’ve seen how Winnie-the-Pooh connects generations through live performance, including during my visit to Riverside Studios for the stage adaptation produced by Mr Rockefeller Productions. The Big One Hundred takes that shared storytelling outdoors, turning a simple day trip into something more meaningful. You can read my full Winnie the Pooh theatre review over on Clarissa’s Corner.
How Visitors Can Get Involved
The Big One Hundred invites visitors to take part, not just observe. Children, families and schools can help shape the story by drawing their own versions of The Curious Adventurer, writing short stories, or suggesting a name. People can share submissions by tagging @triggerstuff on Instagram, emailing hello@triggerstuff.co.uk, or using #TheBigOneHundred. This approach makes the experience feel personal and creative.
Planning Your Visit to Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest is located at Wych Cross, Forest Row, RH18 5JP. It works well as a day trip within the South East. All performances, walks and activities connected to The Big One Hundred at Ashdown Forest are free. Events will take place across summer 2026, with specific dates released closer to launch. For updates, visit www.thebigonehundred.co.uk, www.ashdownforest.org and www.triggerstuff.co.uk.
Final Thoughts
For travellers who value meaningful places, literary connections and family-friendly outdoor experiences, The Big One Hundred at Ashdown Forest offers something special. It encourages exploration, imagination and connection with nature. A hundred years after Christopher Robin played here, the Forest still invites visitors to wander, wonder and discover.