'Perfect' UK village with magical history is ideal place for autumnal getaway

As temperatures begin to drop, the thought of spending time at a seaside town or beach might seem less appealing, even though the UK boasts several stunning coastal destinations worth discovering and exploring.

For several people, the arrival of September equals the beginning of autumn, meaning sunny ice cream treats could give way to cosy cups of tea beside crackling fires while listening to rainfall pattering against windows. The autumn season also presents an excellent chance to discover various British towns and villages, as shifting weather conditions can make them feel even more enchanting - sometimes in quite literal ways.

Manchester local Leila Dean turned to social media to chronicle her visit to Burley, a charming village nestled in Hampshire's New Forest. Through her video, she documented highlights from her trip, describing it as the 'perfect' English village.

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"I ended up in a village called Burley and it has to be one of the best places I've ever visited in the UK," she declared at the beginning of her footage.

"It's situated in the New Forest, and it's known to have horses everywhere," she explained while showing horses roaming freely through the streets.

She continued by revealing glimpses of her selected lodgings, having chosen to reserve a room at a local manor house surrounded by expansive natural grounds for exploration.

"And in the town, it is full of horses, lovely people, and witchcraft," she revealed.

During the 1950s, a Scottish woman called Sybil Leek made Burley her new home. She quickly earned the title 'the witch of Burley' after declaring herself as a white witch. Following the decriminalisation of witchcraft in 1951, she rose to become Britain's most famous witch.

She established her own mystical shop in the village, named A Coven of Witches, which continues trading today and stocks witchcraft-related merchandise.

Though Sybil eventually relocated to America due to not wanting to be the centre of attention anymore, Burley has preserved its witchcraft connections, with shops and attractions celebrating this eccentric past and attracting visitors fascinated by its supernatural legacy, according tothe New Forest's website. Surely it sounds like the ideal destination for a Halloween getaway?

Leila was subsequently spotted stroking a horse, explaining all the horses were gentle as they simply wandered around the village, searching for the finest grass for their next meal.

She continued by describing the activities she'd enjoyed, which included browsing the local shops, including the renowned fudge shop, before hiring bicycles to discover the surrounding countryside.

"And honestly, it was such a wholesome day," she remarked.

She added in the video's caption: "Burley you have my heart. The best place for couples, besties or children! Bike rides, horse rides and so much more."

Leila then posted a second clip documenting their adventure from day two in the village, which featured a stroll alongside a herd of alpacas, followed by a visit to a farm where visitors can harvest their own flowers and berries.

"I literally cannot recommend this place enough," she said at the end of the video.