It could be the prettiest of the New Forest towns, though the competition is fierce for that title. In the summer, this lovely town is just crawling with people – poking in and out of the pretty tea rooms and souvenir shops.

If you explore enough, you’ll see many of the buildings and shops in Burley have a distinctive “witch” theme – that’s because in the 1950’s Burley was the place where Sybil Leek (a prominent witch) used to live. You can even visit the place where she lived (now a shop called “Coven Of Witches”.

It’s also possible to take a cheery horse-drawn wagon ride from the Queens Head car park in Burley – while the rides depend on the weather being fair, it’s mostly available during April to October. Also worth a visit are the grounds of New Forest Cider whereyou can catch a glimpse of the cider pressing process.

Slightly south from Burley is Holmsley Bog, and it’s believed that over a hundred different types of plants grow here.

Officially, Ringwood is not part of the New Forest, but a drive into the town strongly suggests otherwise. On the borders of Ringwood are the lovely Blashford Lakes, a short drive away from the town centre and marketplace. It’s possible to take a guided tour of the lakes where you’re likely to encounter many of the wildfowl that migrate here in the winter months.

Accommodation in Burley & Ringwood  isn’t quite as widespread as in Lyndhurst or Lymington but there are some good Inns, hotels and bed & breakfast places to stay at overnight on your visit to the New Forest:

-   Holmans (Bisterne Close, Burley)

-   Wayside Cottage (Garden Road, Burley)

-   The Burley Inn (The Cross, Burley)

-    Forester’s Cottage (Verwood Road, Ringwood, New Forest)

-    Karelia (The Studio, Ashley, Ringwood, New Forest)