Unprecedented photos from The House at Pooh Corner, once home to A. A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin, captured by our platform during their residence.
Cotchford Farm: A Literary and Rock History Haven
Cotchford Farm, nestled in the heart of Hartfield, Sussex, holds a unique place in both literary and rock history. Purchased by A.A. Milne in 1925 as a weekend retreat from London, this picturesque farm served as the inspiration for many of the beloved "Winnie-the-Pooh" stories.
The farm, famed for its iconic characters like Eeyore, Tigger, and Winnie-the-Pooh, was not only a literary haven but also a sanctuary for Brian Jones, the founder of the Rolling Stones. He bought the farm in 1968, linking it to both the world of literature and rock music.
Historical Images
The Country Life Image Archive offers a wealth of British cultural and heritage images, including those related to Cotchford Farm. However, specific historical images of the farm from that archive are not easily found in the available search results. For more precise images, registration or a direct search on their platform might be necessary.
Recent Developments
Exciting news for Cotchford Farm enthusiasts! The Country Life Image Archive is set to add more historical images by Summer 2025, which might include further photos of the farm.
The Unpublished Images
Interestingly, unpublished images of Cotchford Farm were taken on September 24, 1931. These images depict a 16th-century cottage in East Sussex Weald, famously known as Cotchford Farm, or The House at Pooh Corner in A.A. Milne's children's book. These images, though not of high quality, were presumably taken for a small architectural article in the magazine.
The Image Archive
The Image Archive on our platform contains over 150,000 images documenting British culture and heritage, from 1897 to the present day. An additional 50,000 assets from the historic archive are scheduled to be added this year. To search and purchase images directly from the Image Archive, registration is required.
Melanie Bryan
Melanie Bryan, a freelance picture editor and writer, and the former Archive Manager at our platform magazine, has worked for national and international publications and publishers all her life. In her free time, she enjoys cycling and visiting cafes and hostelries.
[1] Country Life Image Archive: https://www.countrylife.co.uk/shop/image-library [2] Register for the Country Life Image Archive: https://www.countrylife.co.uk/shop/register [3] Brian Jones and Cotchford Farm: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/brian-jones-cotchford-farm-510308/ [4] Cotchford Farm and the Rolling Stones: https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1031305/rolling-stones-brian-jones-cotchford-farm-hartfield-sussex-winnie-the-pooh
- The Country Life Image Archive, which contains over 150,000 images of British culture and heritage, might also include photographs of Cotchford Farm that showcase its lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, books, and entertainment aspects.
- As a freelance picture editor and writer, Melanie Bryan, with her wealth of experience from working for national and international publications and publishers, could produce fascinating articles about Cotchford Farm, highlighting its literary legacy, fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden features, as well as its association with the world of entertainment and music.
