Winnie The Pooh Celebrated At Sussex Zoo Ahead Of Special Anniversary

Drusillas Park in East Sussex has brought a touch of Hundred Acre Wood magic to the zoo as fans prepare to celebrate Winnie the Pooh Day on 18 January.

The family attraction, located close to Pooh Corner in Hartfield and the famous Pooh Bridge in Ashdown Forest, marked the occasion by treating its animals to a Winnie the Pooh–themed enrichment experience.

Zookeepers dressed as the much-loved yellow bear and created special ‘honey pot’ treats for some of the park’s animals at what Drusillas has dubbed its very own “Hundred Acre Zoo”.

The celebration comes as Winnie the Pooh approaches a major milestone, with 2026 marking 100 years since the first Pooh book was published.

It follows a landmark year for Drusillas Park itself, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025.

Senior Zookeeper Jacinta Dawe said Winnie the Pooh is an important part of Sussex heritage and that the timing felt perfect to celebrate both anniversaries together.

She said the themed enrichment was a fun way to mark the occasion while also supporting animal welfare.

Several animals quickly got stuck into their honey-themed treats, including Echo the sloth, Napoleon the emperor tamarin, Eagle the tortoise and the park’s mongoose family, each approaching their surprises in their own distinctive way.

Zookeepers say enrichment activities play a vital role in keeping animals active and mentally stimulated, encouraging natural behaviours such as foraging and problem-solving.

Chloe Lilliott, a zookeeper at Drusillas, said enrichment does not need to be complicated to be effective, adding that it is rewarding to combine animal welfare with a story that so many people in Sussex and beyond have grown up with.

Drusillas Park, a long-standing family favourite in the heart of Sussex, says celebrating cultural moments like Winnie the Pooh Day helps connect visitors with local heritage while highlighting the importance of conservation and education.