smelled so nice â a 'Fish Supper'. Pooh thought it might be time for a little smackerel of something. Indulging in Aft
WINNIE THE POOH Simple Pleasures in partnership with
Winnie-the-Pooh’s 25 Simple Pleasures
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From learning to skim stones to fossil hunting, exploring castles and forests reaching from Northumberland to Treyarnon Bay, Winnie-the-Pooh’s 25 Simple Pleasures have been revealed. 2,000 parents were asked to share and celebrate their favourite traditional activities, attractions and days out with VisitEngland.
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Continue reading to join Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin and his beloved friends as they journey around England and explore the top 10 Simple Pleasures…
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Inspired by parents’ love of the great outdoors and the classic English heritage of Winnie-the-Pooh, the Simple Pleasures uncover 25 unspoilt delights in England for all the family to enjoy.
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1. Enjoying a Fish Supper on Blackpool Pier, Lancashire
14. Watching Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle, Berkshire
2. Indulging in Afternoon Tea, Devon
15. Fossil-hunting on Brook Beach, Isle of Wight
3. Picnicking on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District, Cumbria 4. Rock Pooling in Treyarnon Bay, Cornwall 5. Camping in the New Forest, Hampshire 6. Marvelling at Stonehenge, Wiltshire 7. Getting Lost in the Maze at Hampton Court Palace, London 8. Taking a stroll beside Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland 9. Boating on the Broads, Norfolk and Suffolk 10. Watching the Puffins on the Farne Islands, Northumberland 11. Stargazing in Exmoor National Park, Somerset 12. Taking in the Vista from the Peaks at the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire 13. Trying to Make the Queen’s Guard laugh at Buckingham Palace
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16. Exploring the Famous White Cliffs of Dover 17. Playing Pooh Sticks at 100 Acre Wood, East Sussex
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18. Rolling Down the Hills Around Corfe Castle, Dorset 19. Visiting a Honey Farm in Devon
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20. Skimming Stones at Holy Island, Lindisfarne, Northumberland 21. Picking Blackberries on Box Hill, Surrey 22. Riding a Narrowboat through the Canal Ways, Birmingham 23. Taking in the Grandeur of Chatsworth House from the Park, Chatsworth, Derbyshire
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24. Seeking out the Deer at Richmond Park, London 25. Admiring Bamburgh Castle from the Beach, Northumberland This map is for illustrative purposes only. To explore an interactive map of England visit here.
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One fine day… Winnie-the-Pooh walked to the top of the forest to find his friend Christopher Robin.
Christopher Robin was standing in front of a very big bag with all sorts of useful things inside. He had a big red bucket and bright blue spade in his hand. ‘Hallo, Christopher Robin,’ said Pooh. ‘I was wondering what we might do today?’ ‘Today,’ said Christopher Robin, ‘We’re going on an adventure.’
‘An And Venture?’ said Pooh. He thought for a moment. ‘Will Piglet come on the And Venture too?’ For he very much liked spending time with Piglet. ‘Oh yes, I should think so,’ said Christopher Robin.
‘Shall we have the And Venture at your house, Christopher Robin?’ asked Pooh. For he very much liked spending time with Piglet and Christopher Robin at Christopher Robin’s house.
‘I think we might need to go further than that,’ Christopher Robin said thoughtfully. ‘I’ve packed some provisions.’ He pointed at the big bag beside him, ‘in case we’re gone for a while.’ ‘Will the And Venture be at Eeyore’s house?’ said Pooh. Eeyore lived at the very farthest corner of the Forest and that was really as far as Pooh could think of.
‘Today we’re going on an adventure.’ ‘Even further than that,’ said Christopher Robin, and then, because Pooh looked worried, he added, ‘but Eeyore can come with us — everyone can! Why don’t you tell everyone the news and gather them together so the adventure can begin?’
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Enjoying a Fish Supper on Blackpool Pier, Lancashire
Indulging in Afternoon Tea, Devon ‘I wonder what Piglet is doing?’ thought Pooh. ‘I wish I were there to be doing it too.’
Piglet stood looking at the long wooden pier and wondered if it would be safe to step on. Maybe it would be safer to just stay where they were. He took Pooh’s hand, in case Pooh was frightened.
And he hurried along to find out what it was that Piglet was doing.
‘It’ll probably rain soon,’ said Eeyore gloomily.
Now Pooh wasn’t an assuming sort of bear, but there was an empty chair at the table, and there did seem to be many more sandwiches than one small Piglet could eat on his own.
But Pooh wasn’t listening. He had noticed a rather nice sensation in his nose and was following it down the pier, with Piglet trotting cautiously behind him. Tigger bounced down the pier. After all, that is what Tiggers do best. Pooh stopped and sniffed once. Then he sniffed twice. Then he turned around a couple of times. It seemed to be that the source of deliciousness was coming from a newspaper. For a bear of very little brain, this was very confusing. Pooh scratched his nose. Weren’t newspapers meant for reading? And not for smelling quite so inviting?
Piglet was sitting at a table, all set up for a spot of afternoon tea.
Pooh rubbed his nose and thought some more and then he said ‘Hallo Piglet,’ and then, just to avoid any confusion, he said, ‘What are you doing, Piglet?’ Piglet gave a small jump of surprise, and then, to show that he wasn’t really surprised at all, he said ‘Why, Pooh, I was waiting for you!’ ‘That’s a very good thing, Piglet,’ said Pooh, ‘because it’s just about time for a little something.’
But Christopher Robin explained that it wasn’t the paper itself, but what was in that paper that smelled so nice — a ‘Fish Supper’. Pooh thought it might be time for a little smackerel of something. Head to the very tip of Central Pier, where you can stare out across the water as the sea breeze swishes around you. You’ll find it hard to resist the smell of Blackpool’s iconic, mouth-watering fish supper. Find more information here.
The South West is undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy afternoon tea. There’s no shortage of charming tea rooms in the area, each serving up delicious local produce and offering stunning views of the surrounding coastal town. Find more information here.
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Picnicking on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District, Cumbria Pooh was thinking it seemed like a sunny sort of a day, and wouldn’t it be nice to do something with his friends, and wouldn’t it be especially nice if that something involved a little spot of lunch, as it was nearly luncheon time. ‘Good afternoon, Christopher Robin!’ Pooh called out. ‘Good afternoon, Pooh Bear.’ ‘I was just thinking it might be time for a little mouthful of something,’ said Pooh. ‘Well then,’ said Christopher Robin, ‘we shall go for a picnic.’ ‘A picnic?’ said Pooh, who was not at all sure he liked the sound of a picnic, and could feel a certain kind of rumbling in his tummy. ‘What’s a picnic?’ ‘A picnic,’ said Christopher Robin, ‘is a very friendly sort of a thing to do. We shall all go.’ ‘Will there be a little something to eat, do you think?’ asked Pooh.
Rock Pooling in Treyarnon Bay, Cornwall Owl was telling Tigger an interesting tale full of long words like ‘crustacean’ and ‘aquatic,’ but Tigger wasn’t listening. He was more interested in watching a crab make its way across the rocks. Tigger thought that moving sideways was probably something that Tiggers could do best — if they wanted to, of course. Eeyore was peering deep into a rock pool. ‘It seems to me,’ he said, ‘that moving sideways is not a very sensible thing to do. One might bump into things and there are already plenty of things that can bump in to you whilst you are sitting minding your own business,’ he continued. Pooh and Piglet were looking into their bucket at the tiny silver fish that was swimming there. ‘Can we take them home?’ said Piglet. ‘Why, Piglet!’ said Pooh, ‘They are at home!’ ‘Oh yes, so they are,’ said Piglet, and he helped Pooh to empty the fish back into the pool.
‘Oh yes,’ said Christopher Robin. ‘That’s what picnics are all about.’ And Pooh thought the picnic was a very good idea. The Lake District’s dramatic peaks and tranquil lakes are one of nature’s most striking works of art. Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake, is one of the finest places to enjoy a picnic after exploring all the sites. Find more information here.
Nestled along the north Cornish coast is Treyarnon Bay - a really special little spot. The small, sheltered, rocky coves are jewelled with glistening pools of sea water, making it one of the best places for rock pooling in the country. Find more information here.
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Camping in the New Forest, Hampshire Christopher Robin hammered in the last peg and turned round to admire his handiwork. The bright blue tent certainly looked a handsome home for the evening. ‘Now,’ he said, ‘why don’t we all gather round and I will tell a story.’ ‘Will I be in the story?’ asked Pooh. ‘And me?’ squeaked Roo, for Roo had never heard a story about himself before, and he started jumping around very excitedly at the thought. ‘Sit here now, Roo dear,’ said Kanga, as Roo and Tigger jumped up and down together. ‘You all will be,’ said Christopher Robin grandly. ‘Except me,’ said Eyeore glumly. ‘No one would write a story about me.’
Marvelling at Stonehenge, Wiltshire ‘What is it?’ whispered Piglet. ‘Well,’ said Rabbit importantly, ‘it is definitely a house.’ ‘That’s what I thought,’ said Pooh, wondering why whoever lived there hadn’t come out to say hello. And then he thought that perhaps whoever lived there was waiting for them to say hello first. So Pooh shouted ‘Hallooooo’ as loudly as he could, just to be sure that they would hear him. ‘They’re probably out,’ said Eeyore, ‘just when we were hoping to say ‘Hello’.’ ‘Then we shall wait,’ said Rabbit, who liked to take charge where thinking was concerned. So the friends waited and looked at the strange house, waiting for whoever lived there to return.
‘Well then,’ said Christopher Robin, ‘I shall start with you, Eeyore, and you shall be very important to this story.’ Eeyore brightened up, and Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Rabbit and all Rabbit’s friends and relations gathered round to hear what parts they might have to play.
The magical landscape of the New Forest is the picture-perfect location for camping. The National Park features mile after mile of woodland, crystal clear streams and heaps of trails to explore. Lucky visitors might also catch a glimpse of wild ponies trotting beneath the treetops. Find more information here.
The daddy of all stone circles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the magnificent Stonehenge in Wiltshire continues to be an archaeological enigma. Take your little ones on an audio tour around this magical landmark on Salisbury Plain and discover more about the mystery behind the megaliths. Find more information here.
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Getting Lost in the Maze at Hampton Court Palace, London Piglet held Pooh’s hand and pulled him along, excited to be on an adventure together. Every so often they could see a glimpse of Tigger as he bounced high above the hedges. From above, Owl was giving directions and advising which way might be better than the other, or when to make a turn, but he was using such long words that Pooh wasn’t really listening. Pooh thought that as it was nearing elevenses it would be nice if there was a little smackerel of something around the corner, and was just about to say so to Piglet, when they rounded the corner and there was Eeyore. ‘Why, Eeyore!’ said Pooh, ‘How nice to see you.’
Taking a Stroll Beside Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland Tigger bounced along the path next to the wall and thought Tiggers probably were wallclimbing animals, but that he had better not climb the wall as the going-up part was always simple but the coming-down part was not, as Tiggers can’t climb downwards because their tails get in the way, and it was all too easy to forget that on the way up. Piglet wanted to stay some way behind Tigger, as Tigger was a very bouncy animal and had a way of saying, ‘How do you do?’ which sometimes left Piglet lying flat on his back… So Piglet took Pooh’s hand, which always made Piglet feel much braver when there were bouncy sort of animals nearby, and the two walked hand in hand as Pooh made up a little hum.
‘Is it?’ said Eeyore glumly. ’I would have thought that getting lost is not something that anyone wants.’ ‘But Eeyore,’ said Pooh, ‘You’re not lost, we’ve FOUND you!’ Eeyore thought for a moment and said, ‘You may be right. I may not be lost after all.’
In the spectacular gardens of Hampton Court Palace, you’ll find the Grand Maze — arguably one of the most famous mazes in the world. Its intricate twists and turns cover a third of an acre, making it a fantastic adventure for all the family. Find more information here.
Stretch your legs with a picturesque countryside stroll along the world-famous Hadrian’s Wall. The Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail snakes alongside this ancient monument, swooping up and down the hills of Northumberland. Find more information here.
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Boating on the Broads, Norfolk and Suffolk
Watching the Puffins on the Farne Islands, Northumberland
Piglet was holding tightly on to the side of the boat. ‘It makes me feel a little anxious’ he said, to no one in particular, ‘to be a very small animal entirely surrounded by water.’
‘Are they woozles?’ asked Piglet.
Then he thought how lucky he was to be with Pooh and how much friendlier things seemed with two.
‘What did they look like, Pooh?’ asked Piglet, not at all sure he wanted to know.
Pooh was thinking how nice it was to be here in the boat and the sun was so delightfully warm that wouldn’t it be nice to go on being Pooh, right here in this boat, for the rest of the day. And so they floated on. Tigger was practising bouncing on the side of the bank, whilst Eeyore was standing nearby. Tigger wanted Eeyore to bounce too as bouncing is so much more fun with two, but Eeyore said that bouncing was for Tiggers, and Tigger had to agree it was something that Tiggers were best at. Pooh and Piglet looked at the river beneath them, saying nothing, and the river said nothing too, for it was very quiet and peaceful just to be.
Whether you’re gliding along the mystical waterways by boat or exploring the unspoilt villages by foot, there’s plenty of fun to be had on the Norfolk Broads.The wetlands are a haven for wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for rare butterflies, dragonflies and birds along the way. Find more information here.
‘Oh no,’ said Pooh, ‘I saw one once and they didn’t look like that.’ ‘Oh, I can’t remember now,’ said Pooh, ‘It was a very long time ago. It may not have been a woozle, it may have been a wizzle.’ ‘We’ll ask Christopher Robin,’ said Pooh, as he was by far the cleverest person that either of them knew. ‘Oh Bear!’ said Christopher Robin, ‘they aren’t woozles or wizzles, they’re Puffins.’ Christopher Robin told Pooh and Piglet all about puffins and seals and other things that they didn’t see in the forest. The three of them stood together and watched the puffins, and Pooh thought how wonderful it would be to have a real brain that could tell you things.
Scattered a couple of miles off the coast of Northumberland, the Farne Islands are one of best places to marvel at nature. Home to cheeky puffins, adorable grey seals and 23 species of seabirds, a boat trip to the Farne Islands is a wonderful way to meet the local wildlife. Find more information here.
Illustrations by Mark Burgess after E H Shepard ©Disney 2014
Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood are available, in print and as eBooks, from all good bookshops and egmont.co.uk
For more information go to www.VisitEngland.com
