New Forest Smugglers
Smuggling in the New Forest
The New Forest has not existed solely for Commoners, ponies and witches; it also has a well documented history of Smugglers (or free traders), predominant during the 18th and 19th Centuries. Some of their main contraband was tea, brandy and silk goods.
Maritime smuggling into the numerous coastal coves in the area, Lulworth Cove and Kimmeridge Bay were popular; the forest became a haven for the Smugglers to distribute their goods. They created a network of numerous tracks covering hubs of transfer around places such as Burley, Christchurch and Lymington and various other spots.
In Burley, as well as being famous for the notorious local Warne family (Smugglers’ associates), evidence of Smugglers existence was found when the 17th Century Queen’s Head Public House was refurbished. The cellar revealed a cache of pistols, coins and other goods.
Around Burley there are interesting walks around Picket Plain, Fort at Castle Hill and Burley Beacon. A good day’s investigation of the Smugglers’ tracks should prove quite rewarding.
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