Witch bottle secret revealed

A garden where a witch bottle was discovered during building work is among 12 in one village open to the public over the weekend of June 17 and 18.

Michael and Jo Butler found the small green glass inkwell bottle at their home in Navenby.

Inside was a strap of leather, bent pins, iron hooks, human hair and possibly urine.

The bottle — concealed underground for at least 180 years — was identified by the Lincolnshire archaeology finds liaison officer as a witch bottle. They were intended to bounce bad spells or evil intentions away from the victim and their home and back to the person sending them.

The bottle was featured in ITV’s Britain’s Secret Treasures and in a book published by the British Museum.

It is now in the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.

The gardens are open from 11am to 5pm.

Tickets are available from St Peter’s Church that allow entry to all 12 gardens at a cost of £3. Children under 16 enter free.