Haunted Hosts

The Filly Inn stands as a testament to the turbulent history of highway robbery in the New Forest area. Built in the 16th century, this country inn occupies a site with a much darker past. The original Fillie Inne, as it was historically known, was demolished after becoming the scene of a notorious murder and highway robbery that led to the arrest and execution of three men. The original building's association with criminal activity reflects the broader context of 17th and 18th-century England, when highway robbery was rampant along major coaching routes. The New Forest area, with its isolated heaths and dense woodlands, provided ideal cover for highwaymen who preyed on travellers journeying between London and the important ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. The inn's location on what is now the A337, a mile south of Brockenhurst, positioned it strategically along one of these vital coaching routes. Following the demolition of the original structure, the current building was constructed as a traditional country inn, maintaining the hospitality tradition whilst distancing itself from its predecessor's criminal associations. The architectural style reflects typical Hampshire construction methods, with features characteristic of rural inns that served both local communities and passing travellers. The rebuilding represents a conscious effort to transform a site of infamy into one of respectable commerce and hospitality.