If you like witchcraft, smuggling, fudge and cream cakes then one of the best place to come in Hampshire is Burley.

Burley is delightfully situated in one of the loveliest parts of the New Forest and it is said to derive its name from the Saxon word 'bury' which normally denoted an Iron Age hill fort. Between the years 1680 to 1786 the Bailiwick of Burley was ruled by the Dukes of Bolton and it is said that the devouring Bisterne Dragon is said to have had its lair on Burley Beacon and the village had strong associations of smuggling.

The Queen's Head public house that dates back to the 17th century is the oldest building in the village and the queen is believed to have been Queen Elizabeth I. Smugglers used to frequent the Inn and while drinking large jugs of ale they discussed when the next 'run' would be or about their 'run ins' with the Excise men. There is also evidence that a Blacksmiths forge was in 1848 a part of the inn.

The Queen's Head

The village has an active community life and is a  favourite meeting place for the many tourists to the forest. There are a plentiful supply of eating establishments and souvenir shops, most of which have things that associate with witchcraft.

There are several names that stand out well in the village, one being Thomas Eyre who was one of the better known names and old Mrs Evemy who live to be over 100, The Herbert's, which was the family name of the Earls of Carnarvon a possessed the 'Old House' in the 19th century and Auberon  died in the forest in 1906

Another name famed throughout the world this time was Constance Applebee the pioneer of women's hockey in the United States died here in 1981 and on her 100th birthday.  She was overjoyed to received not only a telegram form Queen Elizabeth but one from the President of the United States and there is a window of stained glass in the church in her memory. It was in 1989 that the village celebrated a century and a half of history and also commemorated the anniversary of the church. And a new windows has been fitted to celebrate the Millennium. The chapel incidentally has celebrated 200 years Pictured left is the church of St John the Baptist Pictured right is The new window celebrating the year 2000

HISTORY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH

Plaque inside the church

Burley Manor behind the vineyard		Burley School
Another view of the Queen's Head		St John the Baptist Church
The Main street through Burley