Ashdown Forest has long been the source of inspiration for many a writer and artist and is famously the setting of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories by A. A. Milne. This year, we’re celebrating the Centenary of these classics. The theme of our third annual poetry competition is friendship.
There are three categories:
Primary (ages 6-10)
Secondary (ages 11-17)
Adult (ages 18+)
Entrants must reside in the United Kingdom.
Prize
The winners will see their poems published on our website, across our social media channels, and potentially in local print.
This year's judges are Joseph Coelho OBE, Jane Riordan, Gyles Brandreth, Kathryn Aalto and Fiona Sampson.
Free to enter.
Find out more
here
Deadline: Friday 8th May 2026