Hayley Atwell visits the Hundred Acre Wood for her new role in Disney’s Christopher Robin, writes Laura Harding.

Hayley is reminiscing about her childhood. Like with so many kids, it involved poring over her favourite books, and skipping over the bits that were too scary.

Particularly dear to her were A.A. Milne’s stories of Winnie The Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, including Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga and Roo.

“I had books and also the audio version on cassette,” she says, “which I used to listen to in bed, but I had to fast forward through the bits with the heffalumps and woozles, because they scared me.

“Like most people in the UK, it was very much part of my childhood culture.”

So it seems perfect casting that the actress, now 36, is starring in a film about the characters that were so dear to her as a child growing up in London.

In the Disney film Christopher Robin she plays Evelyn, the wife of the title character. Christopher is now grown up and is dealing with the stresses of adulthood.

Played by Ewan McGregor, the adult Christopher Robin has not seen his furry friends in years, and has forgotten his long days of magic and play in the wood.

Stars such as Peter Capaldi, Tony Jones and Sophie Okonedo lend their voices to other beloved characters.

“I found it so moving that it begins with the aesthetic of the books, the pages turning, and there is a gentleness to it, there is nothing zhush-y and Hollywood and glossed over and cool about it,” says Hayley.

“Even with the animation, the animals feel like loved, worn teddies and toys, rather than fancy versions of themselves - and that immediately makes it accessible.”

The film also shows how a sense of wonder can be lost in adult life, as responsibilities usurp the pleasure of play.

Offering advice to her young fans, she says: “Just remember not to get bogged down with the rat race of life. Everything that we really need is right in front of us, and within us.”