Burley
Burley in the New Forest
Burley, famous for witches, smugglers and dragons, and some breathtaking vistas. The Burley Manor, one of the images shown above, is reputedly linked by an old smugglers tunnel to The Queens Head pub in Burley. The gift shops are a particular attraction of Burley. There are music, fudge and New Forest gift shops, many have a witchcraft theme, inspired by Sybil Leek, the former Burley resident, and author of controversial book, "Diary of a Witch". Burley Cider farm , Deer Safari and Burley Wagon Rides help make Burley one of the most popular sightseeing stops on any New Forest tour. The Burley Manor offers horse riding, and Burley’s pubs, tea rooms, cafe’s and restaurants offer a welcome break while others will take advantage of the cycle hire shop or the ice cream vendor. Something for everyone.
Welcome to Burley Village
- Burley
- Burley is a picturesque village in The New Forest. With a colourful history and surrounded by stunning countryside making it popular with walkers and cyclists. Burley is twinned with Beurlay in France.
- Bed and Breakfasts in Burley
- Find local Bed and Breakfast accommodation in and around the village of Burley in the New Forest.
- Burley Village Shops
- Burley Cross is the focal point of Burley Village featuring a shopping mall, 2 pubs, tea rooms, several gift shops like the Coven of Witches plus Burley Post office, Forest Leisure Cycle Hire, local grocery store and cider house.
- Burley Pubs and Clubs
- Burley has two pubs and a social club in the centre of the village. Another pub is located just outside the village.
- Deer Safari in Burley
- Go on an exciting half hour New Forest deer safari in the heart of Burley village.
- Burley Primary School
- Burley Primary School is host to several events every year including car boot sales and summer fayres.
- Myrtle Hall in Burley
- There are often local events held at the Myrtle Hall which can be found in Copse Road, Burley.
- Cycling in Burley
- The New Forest and Burley in particular a cyclists heaven. Gravel tracks make it excellent for mountain biking, it is also the start and finish point for The New Forest Bike Ride for Marie Curie.
- Ponies in Burley
- Ponies, cattle and donkeys roam freely through Burley. They often stop traffic, but remember – they have right of way!
- Much to see in Burley
- There is some breathtaking scenery around Burley, look at the magical scene I witnessed at Smugglers Road.
- The Burley Dragon
- Legend has it that there was a dragon in Burley that used to terrorise the villagers, before a brave knight boldly defeated the flame breathing creature.
- New Forest Cider
- Tucked away in Pound Lane, Burley is the New Forest Cider Farm. A working cider farm and orchard, that make the excellent Snake-Catcher Scrumpy.
- The 2008 Burley Village Show
- The 2008 Burley Village Show was held on the 2nd of August and was a great day out for ponies, dogs, birds of prey, reptiles and people of all ages alike.
The New Forest National Park is a very special area of our country. There are endless pretty villages, donned with typical New Forest houses most with immense character and history.
Brimming with wildlife together with New Forest ponies and cattle gently passing the time of day either half asleep or grazing.
Never too far a walk away from sublime peace and tranquility, these villages offer more than just fresh air and relaxation.
We take a journey to the unique village of Burley.
Blink and you might miss it…Or so you are led to believe.. It may take less than a minute to drive through the centre of the village but the mystery lies far and beyond, in fact, as far as you mind wishes to take you.
Witchcraft is in the air. Hidden secrets which may never be revealed to the naked eye may become more apparent. How open minded are you?
Some believe it all started when the author Cybill Leek moved the the village. Others believe it started long, long before then.
To get a true feel for the mystery of it all, your first stop could be the village centre.
A Coven of Witches cannot be passed by. It’s not just a gift shop. It feels like it has a real meaning. You feel like you have been sent there for a reason.
It’s a magical shop. From Dragons to Witches, spell books to incense. wands to crystals. You really need to go in, breathe it in and simply take it all in.
Once you have managed to bring yourself back to reality and leave the shop there are plenty more where that came from. The village is full of gift shops not to mention pubs and cafes to refuel.
The Queens Head is a great all rounder. Relax, drink, eat and appreciate the genuinely friendly atmosphere that you will receive from the owners and staff. You will even get a warm welcome from the resident cat if you are lucky enough to see him.
Just one thing to mention.. There’s more to this pub than meets the eye. There is talk that a hidden tunnel runs from The Queens Head directly to The Burley Manor. A secret tunnel which allowed smugglers to take their goods to the manor without being seen.
The Burley Manor can be seen by standing in The Queens Head car park or in their beer garden. Imagine dragging your bag of smuggled goods underground all the way there! I presume the smugglers weren’t the easily scared type.
If you have a few hours spare and plenty of energy, a good walk around the outskirts of the village is a must. Take the Ringwood Road out towards Burley Street. There is a footpath all the way there. You will pass lots of greenery, fields, ponies and maybe deer.
It is approximately one mile from The Cross in the centre of the village. When you get to Burley Street you may notice the old Post Office or Burley Street Stores.
A little further and you will pass Burley Street Garage, often ponies or cattle can be seen nearby grazing on the verges or the green.
Take a left on the gravel track next to the garage. You are now on your way to standing on the plateau of an Iron Age Fort. The Burley Dragon which was slayed by a knight is rumoured to have lived here for a while. As you walk up the gravel track, through the trees and ponds, you can almost certainly feel his presence.
A flat grassed area will arrive soon on your right. Walk across this and you will see breathtaking views towards Bournemouth. This is the Burley Beacon. There is an unseen smugglers track in the distance which will take you all the way to near Christchurch.
At one time there was a Beacon here which enabled messages and signals to be passed on to other areas.
This is Castle Hill Lane.
Carry on down the long winding lane, passing enviable homes which seem too idyllic to be real!
When you do eventually reach a tarmac road, you have come to Pound Lane. You have now completed a horseshoe shaped tour of the village of Burley. A short 10 minute walk bearing left on Pound Lane and you will arrive back at the Cross in Burley.
If however, you bear right when you reach Pound Lane, you are then heading towards Thorney Hill. This is where many believe that witchcraft is still very much alive today.
If you still have enough energy you could try the other side of the village. Again, starting from The Cross, head toward The Queens head following the road round to the right up a short but steep hill. You will pass Burley Primary School on the left and can walk across the Cricket Pitch. Often scattered with ponies and foals.
You can follow the track towards the Burley Golf Club which you will pass on your left. You are now on Cott Lane.
Another peaceful walk through trees until you reach The White Buck where refreshments are a must. A huge beer garden together with a secret children’s adventure play area hidden in the trees. You can read the menu for a brief history of why it is called The White Buck.
Here you will reach Bisterne Close, this is arguably one of the nicest, peaceful, residential areas in Burley. A good 30 minute walk will see you all the way round to the other end. Lester Square can be found when you reach the other end of Bisterne Close.
Lester Square seems to be another little village within Burley. Follow the road past Lester Square along Beechwood Lane, turn left at the end and you will end up back in the village next to The Queens Head. Maybe time for refuelling again?
Enjoy..
July 26th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
[...] Burley Manor, in Burley [...]
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
[...] at the Myrtle Hall in Copse Road, Burley this Tai Chi class is in the Chen Style and is a fantastic introduction to the ancient art of Tai [...]
March 13th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
[...] Springtime Charity Lunches in Burley [...]
March 27th, 2009 at 12:23 am
[...] Burley « Yoga in Burley [...]
May 14th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
[...] Debbie being one of the first practitioners in the UK to qualify. Debbie works from her home in Burley and now also teaches CKT nationwide. Home visits can be arranged if [...]
May 14th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
[...] Life! is a group of like minded people who meet twice a month in Burley, Hampshire. We have a speaker at each meeting and also have time for a cup of tea and a general [...]
March 1st, 2010 at 12:41 am
[...] route or the “challenging” 30 mile option. Both tracks start and finish in Burley. The route follows some classic New Forest gravel trails but with some road sections. Along the way [...]
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
[...] are looking for new bits for your bike you could roll down the Cycle Jumble at Burley Village Hall, Burley. You will find everything from nuts & bolts to rare and exotic Italian vintage cycling [...]
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:29 pm
[...] Village Hall Pound Lane Burley BH24 [...]
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:07 pm
[...] your horse, pony or mountain bike to Burley on Bank Holiday Saturday 1st May and enjoy a ride through the beautiful New Forest National Park, [...]
May 13th, 2010 at 10:48 am
[...] at the Myrtle Hall in Copse Road, Burley these Vibrant Life! talks are run by Debbie Atkinson, Natural Healing [...]