“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”

Christopher Robin

When a kind-hearted young boy named Christopher Robin first met Winnipeg the Bear at London Zoo in the early 1920s, little did he know that his innocent encounter would become the inspiration for one of the most beloved children’s books of all time.

Winnipeg— or Winnie for short—was a remarkably good-natured black bear who had been rescued by a cavalry veterinarian upon the outbreak of the First World War and quickly became the star attraction at the famous zoo.

Christopher Robin, son of the English author A.A. Milne, was so taken with his new friend, that he would plead with his father to allow him to visit Winnie as often as he could. Between feeding the bear spoonfuls of condensed milk in exchange for enormous, furry hugs, Christopher Robin and Winnie’s unlikely friendship was formed.

Meanwhile, Edward, the young boy’s own teddy bear was soon given a new name; combining the moniker ‘Winnie’ with that of a feisty swan that Christopher had met on holiday who went by the name ‘Pooh’.

And so, Winnie the Pooh was born.

Winnie the Pooh and Piglet

‘Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.’

Winnie the Pooh wasn't the only character born of Christopher Robin’s spirited imagination. The Hundred Acre Wood, the beautifully crafted homeland of A.A. Milne’s classic book series, lovingly bought to life by the illustrations of E. H. Shepard, is full of creations named after the young boy’s stuffed animal collection. 

Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo and Tigger could all be found in Christopher Robin’s nursery and would provide the inspiration for the English author's most memorable characters. Readers of all ages were first introduced to this charming ensemble of animal friends in the 1924 book of children’s poetry, When We Were Very Young. That hugely popular publication was soon followed by a complete volume of stories, Winnie-the-Pooh, in 1926, and a sequel, The House at Pooh Corner, released in 1928.

Complete your bronze sculpture collection

“Any day spent with you is my favourite day. So, today is my new favourite day.”

We’re immensely proud of our Christopher Robin water feature, which will never fail to add a touch of storybook magic to a garden setting. On a particularly fine summer’s day, there really is no more invigorating experience than hearing the soft trickle of water, gently cascading off Christopher’s umbrella and into the pool below. An exquisite handmade bronze garden feature that truly captures the innocence of childhood, the simple pleasures of nature, and the charm of E.H. Shephard’s original illustrations. 

We’re thrilled, then, to reveal that we will be adding both Winnie the Pooh and Piglet bronze sculptures to the website in the coming months; two classic A.A. Milne characters who are just waiting to tell the next chapter of your garden story.

How can we help?

If you'd like to find out more about our Christopher Robin water feature, or any other bronze sculptures in our collection, do please get in touch. We'd love to chat.