AN ANCIENT Bronze Age "cemetery" has been discovered at a 1,000-acre nature reserve near Nomansland in the New Forest.

Three burial mounds have been unearthed at Franchises Lodge, an area of woodland bought by the RSPB with the help of the National Park Authority (NPA).

They are among more than 200 surviving mounds that are scattered across the Forest.

During the removal of dense vegetation volunteers and RSPB staff were joined by Hilde van der Heul, a community archaeologist with the NPA.

She said: "The burial mounds are called bowl barrows, which are the most common form of Bronze Age round barrow.

"They would have been constructed anywhere from the Late Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age, probably covering single or multiple burials.

"These ones are grouped into what is called a barrow cemetery, which is not uncommon for the period."

Hilde said the mounds contained important archaeological evidence relating to their construction, plus the rituals and funeral practices that were carried out at the time.

She added: "It's really important we keep them in good shape for future generations to enjoy."

Franchises Lodge was bought by the RSPB in 2018, with the NPA contributing £200,000 towards the cost.

Described as a "secret forest", the woodland is home to a wide range of birds, invertebrates and plant life and public access is limited for the time being.

Anneka Schofield, community volunteering development officer at the site, said: "The barrows were in unfavourable condition and largely or completely covered in thick rhododendron and conifer trees.

"We have cleared all three in line with Hilde’s advice for preserving the integrity of the barrows."

As reported in the Daily Echo, a formerly derelict cottage at Franchises Lodge is being turned into a memorial to Cameron Bespolka, of Winchester, who died in an accident when he was 16.

Cameron's Cottage will be a residential education centre where young people can immerse themselves in nature.

RSPB leaders are hoping the facility will act as a catalyst, encouraging young people to interact with the environment in a way which boosts their own wellbeing and that of the planet.

Cameron's mother, Corrine Cruickshank, is co-founder of a trust which raised £425,000 towards the cost of the transforming the property.