PEOPLE are being given the rare opportunity to tour the Grade II listed country house that inspired A A Milne when he wrote the Winnie the Pooh stories.

The owners of Cotchford Farm, close to the Ashdown Forest, are opening the historic gardens to the public this weekend.

There are four sessions across the two days, with all profits going to The Ashdown Forest Foundation who work to care for this spectacular landscape.

The Argus: British writer Alan Alexander Milne entertains his son, Christopher Robin Milne in the nursery where Winnie the Pooh was born in his country home, Cotchford Farm, in Hartfield, East Sussex.British writer Alan Alexander Milne entertains his son, Christopher Robin Milne in the nursery where Winnie the Pooh was born in his country home, Cotchford Farm, in Hartfield, East Sussex.

James Adler, chief executive of the Ashdown Forest, says it is an” incredible opportunity to view where some of the most famous children’s stories began”.

He said: "The Winnie-the-Pooh stories, and therefore Cotchford Farm, hold a special place in so many peoples’ hearts.

"The gardens and the nearby Ashdown Forest embody the magic of the stories.

The Argus: Cotchford Farm in SussexCotchford Farm in Sussex

"Now you can come and see them for yourself whilst supporting the local area and we suggest booking quickly as there has been such a high level of interest."

A statue of A.A. Milne's son, Christopher Robin, overlooks the gardens while Owl can be found nestled within the herbaceous borders.

A unique sundial, with carved, iconic Pooh characters, stands proudly on the lawn.

James says the fundraiser has come at an important time for the forest.

He said: "We are working hard to secure the long-term future of Ashdown Forest.

"The Forest welcomes over 1.5 million visits a year and looking after the area and so many people requires a great deal of funding.

"That is why we were delighted when the owners of Cotchford Farm approached us to offer opening their gardens to raise funds for the Forest."

Entry is by ticket only, and these must be purchased in advance.

Morning sessions will take place on Saturday and Sunday, running from 10am to 1pm, with the afternoon sessions taking place between 2pm and 5pm.

The mornings will include a talk by Annemarie Bilclough who wrote Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic.

The afternoon speaker will be Kathryn Aalto, author of The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh.

James will speak at all four sessions about the Forest’s vital importance today and into the future.

Tickets are £20 each plus a £2.15 Eventbrite booking fee.