Cottage of the week – The Old Stables
Today (18 Jan) is Winnie the Pooh Day. To celebrate our love for A.A. Milne’s creation we decided to choose a cottage near to the real-life inspiration for Pooh’s adventures.
Not that we needed much prompting to choose The Old Stables in Kent as Cottage of the Week. This lovely listed barn boasts oak beams and exposed oak floors throughout. The spacious living room offers a lovely wood burning stove (fuel included) and rugs to snuggle up on in the winter months. There’s a modern fitted kitchen with everything you could need to cook up a storm and the latch doors serve to convince that this property is one unique and wonderful countryside retreat.
And what a countryside it is! The surrounding 10 acres of land belong to the property’s owner and offer a wealth of tranquility. You’ll find two well-stocked lakes, where coarse fishing is available by arrangement with the owner – not to mention a flush of ducks enjoying their idyllic surroundings.
Further afield you’ll find Hartfield Village, where Milne lived with his family. Ashdown Forest is where he found inspiration for the ‘Hundred Acre Wood’ while taking walks with his son, Christopher Robin. Lovers of Pooh’s adventures will recognise real-life locations such as Gills Lap (Galleon’s Lap in the books) where you will find the Enchanted Place and Wren’s Warren valley, where Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place is located. There’s also the Poohsticks Bridge, renamed in honour of Winnie the Pooh!
Other attractions in the surrounding area include National Trust properties: Wakehurst Place, Sheffield Park and Standen (home of William Morris), as well as Chartwell, Chiddingstone, Hever Castle and Penshurst Place. Tunbridge Wells is close by and offers plenty of seasonal events along with a host of opportunities for some serious retail therapy.
If you fancy a base from which to explore the Hundred Acre Wood, or just fancy taking a peek at some more lovely pics, then take a look at the property’s listing on cottages4you where you can check availability and make your booking.