A CHUNK of history unearthed in the New Forest is thought to be part of a royal hunting lodge built about 600 years ago.

Workmen were digging the foundations for a new spa at the New Park Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst when they came across a large lump of stone.

The mystery object could be from one of the many hunting lodges built in the Forest for use by visiting monarchs.

Richard Reeves, of the New Forest Museum, said: "The stone certainly looks medieval and might be connected with New Lodge, which was constructed during the reign of Richard II in the 1390s.

"By the 1430s it had a chapel, a hall and an area known as the king's great chamber.

"I imagine the hotel sits right on the remains of the original structure, so archaeologically it's almost certainly a messed up site."

Built during the 16th century, New Park Manor is itself a former hunting lodge that was used by King Charles II.

Sophie McDowall, the hotel's business development manager, said the stone was found beneath what used to be a tennis court and a car park.

She added: "It's a really interesting looking object that was about three feet down. It appears to be very old and certainly looks like something that might have lain in the ground untouched for hundreds of years."

The rectangular object is five feet long, two feet wide and is thought to weigh about a ton. It has a small square-shaped hole in the top and a shallow indentation in the shape of a large nail. It was pulled out of the ground using chains attached to a mobile digger.

The stone is likely to go on display outside the entrance to the hydro-spa, which is due to open later this year.