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Home / Destination / Europe / UK / London / Things to do in London with kids / Winnie-the-Pooh exhibition, V&A, London

Winnie-the-Pooh exhibition, V&A, London

January 2, 2018 by Gretta Schifano 6 Comments

Part of original drawing, by E. H. Shepard, Winnie-the Pooh exhibition, V&A, London. Image copyright Gretta Schifano

Part of original drawing, by E. H. Shepard, Winnie-the Pooh exhibition, V&A, London. Image copyright Gretta Schifano

My nineteen year-old daughter and I popped in to London’s V&A last week to see Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic. We’re both lifelong admirers of the famous bear and his friends, and have spent many happy hours exploring Ashdown Forest (for more on Ashdown Forest, read my post How to visit the places in the Winnie-the-Pooh books), and we were really looking forward to seeing the exhibition together while she was home from University for the holidays.

Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic

The Winnie-the-Pooh stories were a huge success on first publication in the 1920s, and their popularity continues across the world to this day. Inspired by author A. A. Milne’s son Christopher Robin’s imaginative play with his soft toys, Milne and illustrator E. H. Shepard cleverly created timeless and engaging tales with universal appeal.

The exhibition is designed with both children and adults in mind. Throughout the displays there are interactive exhibits which young visitors will enjoy, such as stairs to climb halfway up, a Pooh-sticks bridge to cross and some Christopher Robin dressing up clothes to try on. There’s an area with a slide, and a long, low table and chairs where children can sit and draw.

Owl's door, Winnie-the Pooh exhibition, V&A, London. Image copyright Gretta Schifano

Owl’s door, Winnie-the Pooh exhibition, V&A, London. Image copyright Gretta Schifano

Winnie-the Pooh exhibition, V&A, London. Image copyright Gretta Schifano

Winnie-the Pooh exhibition, V&A, London. Image copyright Gretta Schifano

Around the walls there are fascinating exhibits to examine, including original illustrations, manuscripts, letters and photos which show how the books were created and the inspiration behind them. Words and images from the stories appear throughout, so that you almost feel as if you’re in Pooh’s imaginary world.

I enjoyed looking closely at parts of the text and thinking about Milne’s clever and playful  use of language. Even though I know the stories well and have read about their creators and their books’ impact, I still learnt things from the exhibition which I hadn’t known before. For example, although the real Christopher Robin had a toy bear which he called Winnie-the-Pooh and which E. H. Shepard sketched, apparently the bear which was used as the subject for the illustrations which appeared in the books was called Growler and belonged to Shepard’s son, Graham.

The only things missing from the exhibition, I think, are Christopher Robin’s original Pooh Bear, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Kanga and Roo toys. Apparently these (except for Roo, who was lost) now belong to the New York Public Library. It’s a shame that they’re not taking part in this.

Winnie-the-Pooh exhibition - image copyright Gretta Schifano

Winnie-the-Pooh exhibition – image copyright Gretta Schifano

Verdict

I loved exploring this exhibition and would definitely recommend it. It’s fascinating to see the original illustrations and manuscripts and to learn about the history and impact of the stories.

My daughter says: ‘I really liked the exhibition and I know I would have also loved it as a younger teen or a child. It was interesting to see some of the writing process and history behind Winnie-the-Pooh and I could see the kids there loved the more interactive bits like the colouring and Pooh-sticks.’

Review of 'Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic', an exhibition at the V&A Museum in London - click through for full review and details.

The lowdown

Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic is at London’s V&A Museum until Sunday April 8th, 2018. Tickets are £8 for adults, £5 for 12-17 year-olds, free for under-12s with a ticket holder. Entry to the V&A is free, although donations are appreciated.

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Related

Categories: Culture, London, Things to do in London with kids
Tags: children's literature

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) says

    January 13, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    It’s good to hear that it would be enjoyable for younger children too. My daughter’s a big fan, and has three of her own Winnie the Poohs! I’ll have to take her.
    Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…WIN Tickets to Noggin the Nog at the Rose Theatre, Kingston-Upon-ThamesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 14, 2018 at 5:58 pm

      My daughter was the same at that age – she had a Winnie-the-Pooh family! I’m sure that your daughter will enjoy it.

      Reply
  2. Carol says

    January 5, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    Thank you for posting the photo with the goodbye message. I was sad when the exhibit was over and we were leaving but then my son pointed to the sign saying it wasn’t really goodbye. I couldn’t remember the exact phrasing so was very happy to see it here. Thanks again.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 8, 2018 at 9:18 am

      You’re welcome, and thank you for commenting.

      Reply
  3. Cathy (Mummytravels) says

    January 4, 2018 at 6:02 am

    I’d hoped to get to this over Christmas and it’s still on my list for this month so great to read what it’s really like. I am sure my five-year-old will love it too.
    Cathy (Mummytravels) recently posted…Travel resolutions for 2018 – my wishlistMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 4, 2018 at 6:06 pm

      It’s great – I think you’d both enjoy it Cathy.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 12 days out in London with kids 2018 - mummytravels says:
    July 13, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    […] ready with her own small Piglet to take – and we have until April 8 to put it in our diary. Mums Do Travel went along and the interactive exhibits sound ideal for my own small […]

    Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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