Burley, there is no other place that defines a typical traditional New Forest village. Lying deep in the heart of the forest, myth and ancient history come intertwined alongside modern day village life and New Forest tourism. Visitors to this picturesque chocolate box village will find a fine blend of tea rooms, pubs and local cafes, aswell as pretty little giftshops and art galleries. There is even a local cider farm! A choice of good hotels can be found in and around the village and if its camping you are after, there is never a campsite far away from Burley.

One of the best villages in the New Forest to come and explore, Burley will capture your heart immediately, you are sure to meet the locals of the village, by that we mean the ponies, donkeys and cattle that inhabit and graze the nearby heathland and woods around you. During Autumn, pigs are released into the countryside to forage for acorns. This is what is known as Pannage. Acorns are poisonous to the New Forest ponies so you are very likely to see both adults and piglets in the verges and woodlands devouring this unexpected delicacy.

Burley is very popular, especially during the Summer season yet still retains its charm of bygone years. There are the pretty thatched cottages that you stumble upon whilst exploring the twists and turns of its tree lined streets, giving a sense of how life was in the days of old. Learn about the Witchcraft that Burley is famous for both past and present and still attracts plenty of attention today. It was also a haven for smuggling and highwaymen used to pass through this intriguing village en route to rob or stash their booty in the forest.

Step outside the village and you are immediately into stunning open countryside. The purple heather laden heathland looks gorgeous in the Summer and beautiful yellow scented gorse can be witnessed as the Spring season emerges. Burley is a great hub for walking, cycling and horse riding. Miles upon miles of amazing New Forest scenery is waiting to be discovered from here and the village of Burley is situated close by to equally attractive and other must visit New Forest villages.

Things To See And Do In Burley

• You can`t come to Burley without trying a traditional cream tea in one of the many tea rooms that adorn the quaint little streets in the centre of the village. Slowly wander the pretty giftshops and absorb the bustly atmosphere of what Burley has to offer. Try the local ale in one of the old historic pubs, they all dish up good food too so which one will you pick?
• Mingle with the ponies, donkeys and cattle that free roam in this idyllic village. Please remember not to feed the animals though as they have more than enough to eat within their local environment.
• A host of walks and bike rides are just on the doorstep when you explore Burley and the surrounding area. In every direction you will find a designated path or cycle route to walk or ride. Bike hire and maps can easily be obtained from the village.
• If golf is your thing then why not try a round at Burley Golf Club. Established in 1905, described as one of the “gems of the New Forest”, the course offers some of the finest greens at golf courses in Hampshire or Dorset.
• Discover the history of the witches of Burley. Its been folklore for centuries and still holds visitors to the village spellbound with tales about the mystical goings on that occurred throughout the past and even now. Try the famous Coven of Witches to learn all about the fascinating stories. Scary!
• Take the kids on a Wagonette Ride through the village. A great little family experience that gets you to see the village, country lanes and Burley Park on a horse drawn carriage. They run from Easter until the end of Summer.
• If you are a cricket lover, then why not head up to the local cricket pitch on the edge of the village and watch the locals play in Summer. You are guaranteed not to find a more picturesque setting than the Burley cricket ground. A perfect way to watch a bit of sport in this peaceful and tranquil location.
• Located deep in the forest, Burley is surrounded by trees as you may imagine. It so happens some of these trees have been awarded special names: The Naked Man which was called The Wilverly Oak in 1759 was used to hang highwaymen and smugglers in the area but is now just a dead trunk of which the bark has been stripped bare. Also there are The Twelve Apostles which are very ancient oak trees that can be found at Burley Lodge. Some of them are still standing today. Finally there are the The Miracle Trees, a name derived from some of the trees at the old Vicarage that appear to break into leaf at Christmas time.
• Visit Burley in Autumn to see the pigs during Pannage. This is so called because it is at this time of year the pigs are released to forage for acorns. They scour the woods and verges for the acorns that have dropped from the Oak trees so as to prevent the local ponies from being poisoned. It can be a great sight to see and usually you can spot a big sow making her way along with her piglets in tow.

History Of Burley

It was during the Bronze Age that the earliest records of the village can be found. Proof has been established at nearby Castle Hill, an area which covers around 5 acres, this site was a Bronze or Iron age camp and stands on a rounded hill 308ft above sea level. It was at this ancient camp that a rather interesting discovery was made. Twelve virtually intact palstave axes were found in a small gravel pit in 1926. They were located just 18″ below the surface and are dated at 1200BC. They are now safely kept in the British Museum.

It is well suspected that Saxons also occupied the area too as the name Burley comprises two Saxon words – “Burgh” means fortified place and is also connected to the verb “Boergan” which derives from the meaning to protect. The second Saxon word “Leah” means clearing in a wood or open meadow. You will find the village of Burley is also mentioned in the Domesday Book.

How To Get To Burley