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Folklore of the New Forest

Published on October 2, 2024

The New Forest

The New Forest in Hampshire, England, is an area of ancient woodlands, heathlands, and pastures. Established as a royal hunting ground by William the Conqueror in 1079, it has been home to many stories and superstitions, reflecting the close connection between the land and its people.

The Wilverley oak

If you start from Wilverley Plain car park and head northwest towards the A35, you’ll come across a spot marked on Ordnance Survey maps as the ‘Naked Man.’ This spot once held an oak tree, reputed to have served as a gallows. Local lore suggests the tree got its name after being struck by lightning, which stripped it of its bark, leaving it bare and twisted, resembling a human figure.

The original tree is no longer standing, but a new oak has been planted in its place. It is fenced off and marked with a small plaque, preserving the history of the site. The new oak stands behind the remains of the original, surrounded by bracken

An oak tree fenced off surrounded by bracken.
 The remains of the Wilverley oak - with the new oak standing behind

Sources

https://nfknowledge.org/contributions/naked-man/






Further reading