One of the world’s most beloved children’s characters, Winnie-the-Pooh, is marking 100 years since his first appearance, with celebrations planned in England’s Ashdown Forest, the real-life setting of the famous stories.

Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared on December 24, 1925, in a short story titled The Wrong Sort of Bees, published in the London Evening News. The character was created by author A A Milne and inspired by the toy bear of his son, Christopher Robin.

The gentle bear, along with characters such as Tigger and Piglet and the game of Pooh sticks, soon gained global popularity. The fictional “100 Aker Wood” was based on Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, where Milne owned a country home.

Pooh’s enduring fame continues to bring major economic benefits to the area. Local authorities have allocated about £450,000 in public funds to support events and programmes marking the centenary.

Milne published Winnie-the-Pooh as a book in 1926, followed by The House at Pooh Corner in 1928. Two poetry collections featuring the characters were also released.

A key attraction in the forest is Pooh Sticks Bridge, where Milne and his son invented the game. The original bridge was replaced by a replica in the late 1990s for safety reasons. The original structure was later sold at auction in 2021.

Winnie-the-Pooh’s global reach expanded further in 1961 when Disney acquired the rights to the stories, introducing the character to new generations worldwide.

Pooh Corner, a gift shop and tea room near the bridge, has drawn visitors since 1978. Its owner said people travel from across the world to see the places linked to Pooh and share personal stories about why the character matters to them.

Guided tours of Ashdown Forest have also grown in popularity, with organisers saying most visitors now come from outside the UK, especially North America.

Planned centenary events include new installations at the forest’s visitor centre and the creation of walking trails designed to protect sensitive areas.

Local organisers say the anniversary highlights how Winnie-the-Pooh helped make Ashdown Forest internationally known and continues to shape its cultural and economic life a century on.

With inputs from BBC