Things to do in the New Forest National Park in half term

Witchcraft And Ghosts In The New Forest

‘Double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.’ The dense thick woodland of The New Forest National Park provides the perfect spooky backdrop for a scary themed day out in The New Forest.

The villages in the New Forest are renowned for a range of different reasons, with Burley having one of the most interesting connections. Hidden away deep in the majestic forest this beautiful village provides natural beauty, quaint streets and even a little bit of magic.

Burley has a unique and quirky character with witchcraft playing a large role within the village history. During the late 1950’s Sybil Leek a famous white witch lived in the village and was often seen walking around in her long black cloak with her pet jackdaw sitting on her shoulder. With the locals upset by her presence, Sybil moved to America where she continued studying and writing about the occult and astrology. One of the shops in Burley was not only named by Sybil but you can also find a portrait of her hanging above the Jacobean fireplace.

Beaulieu National Motor Museum is also supposedly one of the most haunted places in the UK, with ghostly and ghoulish sightings having been recorded by the 13th century Abbey and at the Palace house.

To find out more about the spooky history that lies within the New Forest why not come down and spend the day exploring and discovering all there is to know about the national park.

During the October Half Term there are lots of spooky Halloween events from a Ghost train at Exbury to pumpkin carving at The New Forest Centre as well as lots of Ghosts and Ghoul activities at Beaulieu to keep the kids (young and old) amused – Not for the faint hearted!

The New Forest Walking Festival runs from 17th October until the 1st November 2015. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover more about the National Park, with guidance from friendly and knowledgeable walk leaders to help walkers of all ages unlock the secrets of the Forest.

You could even just wrap up warm and scuff through the leaves along the way marked trails at Bolderwood or Blackwater.

For accommodation enquiries at the Cottage Lodge please go to our website www.cottagelodge.co.uk

Information from the New Forest Tourism Association.

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