A village near London has been dubbed the ‘real life Practical Magic’ village, complete with witchcraft boutiques, cosy cafes and horses roaming freely through the streets
As the weather is feeling colder and Halloween is getting closer, many people will feel the pull to watch horror films and enjoy the spooky time of year. But if that’s not for you, you might also be interested in the highly anticipated sequel to 1998 cult classic Practical Magic about the two witchy sisters, played by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock.
After watching the film, several fans have expressed their longing to visit a small town like the one the film franchise takes place in, as they’re intrigued by the cosy aesthetics that have been associated with the film. While the film was partially made in a small town in Massachusetts in the US, many will be thrilled to learn there’s also a village here in the UK with a witchy history and feel they long for.
Taking to TikTok, one tourist named Emma chose to document highlights of her trip to the Hampshire village, dubbing it a ‘real life Practical Magic village’.
“POV: You found a real life Practical Magic village in England,” she penned in the overlay text of the TikTok clip, showcasing the various witchcraft and magic-themed establishments, alongside the wild horses that are recognised for roaming the village of Burley.
Burley is a compact village in Hampshire, situated in the centre of the New Forest. It’s renowned for its links with witchcraft, as it housed a self-declared witch during the 1950s.
Besides this, there’s also an abundance of other activities to take part in, including walking, cycling, and horse-riding routes, plus horse-drawn carriage excursions through the woodland.
Emma noted in the caption: “Today, the village is filled with cosy cafes, witchy boutiques, and wild horses roaming down the streets.”
The village continues to uphold the age-old New Forest custom of “commoning,” whereby ponies, cattle, and donkeys roam freely throughout its lanes.
“It genuinely feels like stepping straight into the Owens family hometown,” she said. “Gather your coven and save this for your next UK day trip.”
Burley’s witch history explained
Burley’s association with witchcraft stems primarily from its former resident, a woman by the name of Sybil Leek. The well-known self-proclaimed “white witch” resided in the Hampshire village throughout the 1950s.
She captured the public’s imagination by openly practising witchcraft shortly after Britain repealed its final Witchcraft Act in 1951. She would regularly stroll through the village draped in a flowing black cloak, with her beloved pet jackdaw, Mr. Hotfoot Jackson, perched upon her shoulder.
However, with locals growing increasingly uncomfortable with her presence, Sybil opted to relocate to America, where she went on to study and write extensively about the occult and astrology.
Burley has since wholeheartedly embraced its mystical heritage, boasting several specialist shops dedicated to all things magical, among them A Coven of Witches. Not only was this establishment named by Sybil herself, but visitors can also discover a portrait of her proudly displayed above the fireplace.
Travelling to Burley from London takes about 2 hours in the car, driving via the M3 and covering 95.6 miles. Trains are slightly quicker as you’ll spend about 1 hour and a half on the South Western Railway.
