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Hythe

The King's Hat Three

Weights

Bradley Stone - 63kg / 139lbs

Harry Stone - 77kg / 170lbs

Graham Stone 90kg / 198lbs 


Location

View on Google Maps

View on what3words - clots.track.shovels


Original Challenge

Stones to chest & shoulder 


Name Origin
Discovered in situ by Graham Carter, these three stones were named in honour of his discovery and to individually recognise Graham and his two sons.

Stones Placement

The stones can be found in the small copse next to King’s Hat Inclosure car park. Please treat the stones with respect. Always use a lifting mat when lowering them, avoid dropping them directly onto the ground, and leave them in good condition and ready for the next person to lift. Point of contact to arrange a lift - @Tea_and_Stones.

History

King’s Hat has long been associated with New Forest folklore. Tales speak of phantom mists drifting across the heath and mischievous bog sprites said to mislead unwary travellers who stray from the tracks. Whether these stories are simply fireside legends or echoes of something older is left to the imagination.


Adding to the area's sense of mystery, a solitary weathered memorial stone stands nearby on the heath at Gurnetfields Furzebrake. It marks the exact spot where local huntsman S. Carter lost his life in a riding accident while out with the New Forest Hounds on 16 January 1883.


Perhaps it is only coincidence that history and folklore converge so closely here. Or perhaps places such as King's Hat are where the real New Forest meets the realm of legend—a landscape where fact and folklore have become inseparable, inviting each visitor to decide for themselves.


Access and Permissions

The stones are located on open-access land. Public access rights apply subject to any restrictions or exclusions applicable to the site. These rights do not automatically grant permission to move, alter or place stones. Users should ensure that any lifting is compatible with the applicable access rights and restrictions and leave the stones and surrounding area as they found them.


Please read our Stonelifting Policy  before attempting to lift. The policy sets out the requirements regarding access, permissions, safety, conservation and responsible lifting.

Hythe

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Responsible Access

English Stone Lifting is an independent information and mapping resource dedicated to documenting England's stone-lifting tradition. Publication of a stone's location does not constitute permission to access land, move or lift a stone. Users are responsible for obtaining any permission or consent required and for complying with applicable access, environmental, heritage and land-management restrictions. Please respect landowners, local communities, wildlife, archaeological features and the surrounding landscape. English Stonelifting does not organise or supervise visits to individual stones and may remove or restrict listings where concerns arise.

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