Winnie the bear, Winnipeg Travel Guide

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Commemorating Winnipeg's connection to the real Winnie-the-Pooh, this charming statue celebrates a bear, a soldier, and a timeless tale.

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Winnie the bear

A bronze statue in Assiniboine Park commemorates Winnie, a black bear cub rescued by Lieutenant Harry Colebourn of Winnipeg during World War I. Winnie became the inspiration for A.A. Milne's beloved Winnie-the-Pooh stories. The statue depicts Colebourn and Winnie together, a lasting tribute to their special bond.

A brief summary to Winnie the bear

2595 Pavilion Crescent, Winnipeg, Assiniboine Park, Manitoba, R3P 2N6, CA

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Winnie the bear.

Visit the Pooh Gallery in the Assiniboine Park Pavilion to learn more about Winnie's story and see Winnie-the-Pooh memorabilia.
Explore the rest of Assiniboine Park, including the Assiniboine Park Zoo, the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, and the English Garden.
Bring children to the Nature Playground where the statue is located; it's a great place for them to play and learn about nature.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

The Forks National Historic Site

Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park

Assiniboine Park

Leo Mol Sculpture Garden

Manitoba Legislative Building

Explore Winnie the bear on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Winnie the bear, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From within Assiniboine Park, follow signs towards the Nature Playground. The Winnie the Bear statue is located within the playground, near the Pavilion. The Nature Playground is centrally located within Assiniboine Park, and is easily accessible from many points within the park via paved walking paths.
Public Transport

Winnipeg Transit buses serve Assiniboine Park. From downtown Winnipeg, take a bus that stops near the Assiniboine Park entrance on Corydon Avenue or Roblin Boulevard. From the bus stop, walk north into the park and follow signs to the Nature Playground. Check Winnipeg Transit for specific routes and schedules. A single fare is $3.25.
Taxi/Ride-share

Taxis and ride-sharing services can drop you off at various points around Assiniboine Park, including near the main entrance on Corydon Avenue or closer to the Assiniboine Park Zoo on Roblin Boulevard. From the drop-off point, follow signs to the Nature Playground. A ride from downtown Winnipeg will typically cost between $15 and $25, depending on traffic and distance.

Discover more about Winnie the bear

The Winnie the Bear statue, located in Assiniboine Park's Nature Playground, is a touching tribute to a real-life bear with a remarkable story. In 1914, Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian from Winnipeg, rescued a black bear cub while en route to a training camp during World War I. He named her Winnie, after his adopted hometown of Winnipeg.Colebourn brought Winnie to England, where she became a mascot for his regiment. Eventually, he donated Winnie to the London Zoo, where she became a popular attraction. Among her many fans was a young boy named Christopher Robin Milne, who named his teddy bear after her. Christopher Robin's father, author A.A. Milne, was inspired by Winnie and his son's teddy bear to create the world-famous Winnie-the-Pooh stories.The bronze statue, created by sculptor William Epp, depicts Colebourn and Winnie in a playful pose, capturing the heartwarming connection between them. Unveiled in 1992, the statue serves as a reminder of Winnipeg's special connection to the origins of Winnie-the-Pooh. Visitors can also explore the Pooh Gallery in Assiniboine Park's Pavilion, which features exhibits about Winnie's story and the creation of Winnie-the-Pooh.