The New Forest is steeped in a rich, layered history, and you can’t go far without stumbling across a local legend, spooky story or folkloric fable. With miles of mystical, ancient woodland and wild countryside, it’s no surprise that the area is often associated with magic and the paranormal.
Delve into the forest’s most famous myths, stories and legends!
The story behind the Rufus Stone stretches back to the very origins of the New Forest. In 1100, King William II, known as William Rufus, was killed by a stray arrow while out hunting. The Rufus Stone is a monument that marks the spot of this fatal accident – or intentional murder, as some say. In the centuries since, there have been many stories about the King’s restless spirit haunting the place where he met his end.
The tale of the Red Pond at Ocknell also connects to the Rufus Stone story. Legend goes that every year, this pond near Stoney Cross turns a chilling red colour because it is where Sir Walter Tyrell – the alleged killer of William II – washed his hands of the King’s blood, permanently turning it red. This change in colour is said to herald a black hound, which was Tyrrell’s dog and now an omen of death.
This medieval tale tells a story of a dragon who lived at Burley Beacon and flew into Bisterne every morning to terrorise villagers and demand a pail of milk. There are several versions of the legend, but one of the most popular names Sir Maurice Berkeley as the valiant knight who slayed the beast. It’s said that the dragon’s body then turned into Bolton’s Bench hill near Lyndhurst. Wracked with mental anguish, the knight returned to this hill 30 days after the battle and died – the spot where this supposedly happened is now marked by a yew tree.
Yernegate is a legendary folkloric giant that is said to guard the New Forest. Tradition states that he got so angry at men for taking too much wood from the local forests that he became a guardian of the woodland. In one famous story, he punished one man who took too much wood by throwing him so far that he landed on the moon.
Colt pixies, also known as cold pixies, are a type of pixie that manifests as a horse or pony. The mischievous beings, most commonly mentioned in the New Forest and Dorset, are thought to lead travellers or animals astray, and perhaps even to their deaths. This local folklore continues to permeate the landscape, with a Bronze Age barrow on Beaulieu Heath known as Colt Pixie’s Cave, alluding to the strange, malevolent creatures that may or may not live there.
Unsurprisingly, there are several legendary trees in the New Forest, with various mysterious stories around them. One famous tree is known as the Naked Man, which is actually the remnants of an old oak tree in Wilverley Commons. The somewhat sinister legend goes that highwaymen and smugglers were hanged here for their crimes.
Another tree with a strange story is the Groaning Tree of Baddesley, an elm tree in South Baddesley that was reported as making haunting, human-like groaning sounds in the 18th century. This phenomenon drew in an array of visitors keen to discover the secrets of the tree. The groaning stopped once a borehole was drilled into it. Even after being uprooted, the truth behind the agonised groaning was never discovered.
The New Forest is also famous for its many ghost stories. Fans of all things spooky and paranormal will find lots to pique their interest in Beaulieu. Palace House is known for being haunted by the Blue Lady ghost, who has been reported walking through walls and making noise. Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was so taken with stories of the ghosts here that he
famously held a seance in the drawing room. Nearby Beaulieu Abbey also has a few ghostly characters, with stories of spectral monks.
To build your spooking spot itinerary, check out our guide to the spookiest locations in the New Forest.
For another historic haunt, head down to the coast to Hurst Castle, by Milford-on-Sea. The Tudor artillery fortress has an array of ghost stories attached to it. Most notably, it’s said that the restless spirit of King Charles I still roams the halls, as he was briefly imprisoned here before being taken to London and executed. Some also claim that Henry VIII himself (who commissioned the fort) haunts the area, with several sightings of his ghostly presence at the lookouts.
The Angel & Blue Pig Inn in Lymington has also had its fair share of hauntings, with a few well-known apparitions spotted on the premises. Legendary ghosts here include a coachman, a man in naval uniform and a giggling blonde woman. There have also been some reports of a piano playing in the night, despite there being no piano on the site.
Along with ghosts, the New Forest is also known for being a witch hotspot. The most famous witchy location in the area is Burley, which largely gained its reputation thanks to Sybil Leek, the famed 20th-century ‘white witch’ who lived in the village in the 50s and 60s. She was often seen walking the streets wearing her trademark cape and with her pet jackdaw Hotfoot Jackson perched on her shoulder. She wrote several books on the occult, solidifying her legacy in the area and further afield.
The New Forest has a rich history of smuggling during the 18th and early 19th centuries. There are numerous tales of ghosts of smugglers that remain, tracing their old routes through the winding and secret trails of the forest. Popular smuggler legends include stories about the notorious Warne family, particularly Lovey Warne. Lovey would famously show the red lining of her cloak to signal to other smugglers that revenue officials were coming. She would also hide smuggled goods in her clothes, as the revenue men were not allowed to search women.
Another legendary but real-life New Forest resident was Harry ‘Brusher’ Mills, the famed 19th-century snack catcher. He became a folk hero after making a living from ridding properties of unwanted grass snakes and adders. Some say he caught up to 30,000 snakes in his career. He was a very popular figure in his time, and echoes of his legacy can be seen throughout Brockenhurst, with the well-loved pub named The Snakecatcher in his honour.
Want to experience the enchanting backdrop of these stories, histories and legends for yourself? Our handpicked selection of holiday cottages in the New Forest provides the perfect base for your stay. With cosy cottages hidden amongst the trees and grand country homes with room to roam, we have all kinds of getaways to ensure your break is one to remember.
