The World Pooh Sticks Championships, one of Oxfordshire’s most quirky and beloved events, has found a new home in Witney. Previously held in Little Wittenham, the championships now take place at Langel Common, near Cogges Manor Farm Museum. The event features participants dropping sticks over a bridge and racing them downstream.
Event Details
- Location: Langel Common, Witney
- New Venue: Following its move from Little Wittenham
- Activities: Single and team events in traditional Pooh Sticks races
Community and Visitor Information
The move to Witney has been warmly received, attracting hundreds of visitors including international participants. The event, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, continues to draw crowds eager to engage in this playful competition rooted in A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.
What is the World Pooh Sticks Championships
The World Pooh Sticks Championships is an annual event inspired by the children’s stories of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne. This quirky sport involves participants dropping sticks from a bridge into a river and racing to the other side to see whose stick emerges first. The competition began in 1983 and has since become a popular event, drawing participants and spectators from around the world.
The championship was initially held at Days Lock on the River Thames but moved to the River Windrush in Witney in 2015 due to logistical challenges.
The event is organized by the Rotary Club of Abingdon and aims to raise funds for various charities. It has been voted “Britain’s Favourite Quirky Event” by readers of Countryfile magazine in 2012.
