New Forest England

Photographs of the New Forest in southern England—taken in 2018—the setting for Awaken: Shadows of a Forgotten Past and The Ghosts of Lewis Manor.

The New Forest, situated in southern England, boasts a rich and complex history that dates back to its designation as a royal hunting ground by William the Conqueror in 1079. Originally established to provide deer for royal sport, the area was governed under harsh forest laws that prioritized game preservation over the rights of its inhabitants. Despite this, the local population developed a unique system of commoning—traditional rights that allowed them to graze animals, gather wood, and cut peat, which persists to this day. Over centuries, the New Forest has witnessed changes in land use, from timber production for the Royal Navy to modern conservation efforts. In 2005, it was officially designated as a national park, reflecting its ecological value and cultural heritage. The New Forest remains a rare example of a living, working landscape shaped by centuries of interaction between people and nature.

It’s also home to ancient legends of ghosts and witches, with eerie tales of phantom horsemen, spectral monks, and mysterious lights flickering through the trees at night—stories passed down through generations of local storytellers.