At the top of Selborne’s famous Zig-Zag Path stands a striking relic of the past — a huge sarsen stone, an obelisk-like rock that has intrigued locals and historians alike for centuries.

Thought to have been placed there by renowned naturalist Gilbert White and his brother John in the 18th century, it is known locally as the Wishing Stone.

But its true origins remain shrouded in mystery.

Did the brothers really transport it up the steep 300-foot incline, or was it sourced from a long-forgotten quarry nearby?

Late-19th century historian Rose Moutrey-Read recorded a local folktale associated with the Wishing Stone, 'round which the villagers used to circle seven times, following the sun, and wishing with all their might for that which they would fain have but had not'.

This is a common form of folklore often associated with sarsens, though it is unclear whether the name 'Wishing Stone' derives from the supposed practice of circling the stone, or vice versa.

Sarsen stones, often associated with prehistoric ritual sites such as Stonehenge, are scattered across the landscape of southern England.

The term ‘Sarsen’ is believed to derive from ‘Saracen’, a medieval term used to describe something foreign or unexplained.

These stones, dating back to the Neolithic and early Bronze Age, are thought to have had ritual significance, with some forming processional avenues or marking important meeting places.

Nearby, Thursley’s Thor’s Stone stands as another fascinating example. Weighing over two tonnes, it is believed to be a surviving boundary stone from the late 18th century, though its significance may stretch back far further.

It must have been quite a challenge transporting the Thor Stone across Thursley’s marshy terrain.

Other sarsens can be found in East Tisted and under the floor of St Mary’s Church in Eversley, where one stone may mark an ancient pagan site.