This part of England has been named one of the world’s best places to visit in 2026 by the New York Times

Countless literary greats have called Britain home. Tourists come from far and wide to visit the home of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, to explore where the Brontës grew up in Yorkshire, to see London through the eyes of Charles Dickens or to walk in the footsteps of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein in Oxford. 

Every now and then, a big anniversary of one of our literary icons rolls around, and celebrations span the whole country, Last year, the New York Times named Jane Austen’s England (mostly Hampshire and parts of Wiltshire, Somerset and Surrey) one of the 52 best places to visit in the world for that reason. This year, it’s put Winnie-the-Pooh’s England on the list. 

2026 marks a whole century since AA Milne created Hundred Acre Wood and all its beloved residents. Events will be taking place up and down the country in celebration of Pooh’s 100th birthday, but the NYT shines a particular spotlight on the festivities happening in East Sussex. 

Milne brought Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and co to life at Cotchford Farm in East Sussex, where he lived with his wife and son, Christopher Robin. As the NYT points out, the farm is now a six bedroom holiday retreat, meaning Pooh fans can stay and explore Milne’s real life study and Christopher Robin’s bedroom. Its garden also features a statue of Christopher Robin and a sundial carved with Milne’s woodland characters. 

Nearby, there’s Ashdown Forest, the real-life inspiration behind 100 Acre Wood. The forest is introducing new heathland walks and interactive performances for Pooh’s birthday, as well as launching Pooh Trek tours to explore the sites of the stories’ adventures. Visitors should look out for a mythical creature roaming the landscape and feeding on bracken, too. 

The New York Times also mentions that Ace Cultural Tours is hosting a five-day anniversary trip, which will take guests to Ashford Farm and to Cambridge to look at Milne’s original manuscripts. 

Time Out also featured visiting Winnie the Pooh’s England on our list of the best things to do in the UK in 2026. On top of the NYT’s recs, we also suggest heading to National Trust garden Nymans. It’s creating its own immersive experience with a trail of illustrations and extracts from Milne’s books, adding to the fun with a dedicated exhibition of precious archive materials from both the author and illustrator’s estates.

You can read more about the New York Times’ global travel list for 2026 here.

ICYMI: The train ticket with unlimited travel that is one of the best things to do in the UK in 2026

📍 Time Out’s best places to visit in the UK in 2026.

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.