Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Country and County: Devon

Ancient Sites / Buried Treasure / Dragons / King Arthur / Legends

Cadbury Castle

This large hillfort has a plethora of traditions attached to it, most notably that it is the site of the legendary Camelot, the stronghold of Arthur. There is a distinct possibility that the historical Arthur – probably a sixth century war leader – had his base here, as the Iron Age hillfort was reoccupied and refortified around this time.

Apparitions / Featured Sites / Hauntings

Berry Pomeroy Castle

The castle, now a romantic ruin, is reputed to be one of the most haunted in the British Isles. It has numerous legends associated with it, and although now only a shell of its former glory, it retains an air of its troubled history.

History

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English Folktales / Folklore / Folktales

The Wild Hunt, A Tale From Devon

This particularly sinister folktale of the wild hunt is from Devon, and is based in the Dartmoor area, a place full of tales of the supernatural, especially the wild hunt.

One wild stormy night a farmer was returning home from Widecombe, somewhat worse the wear from the strong local beverages brewed on-site.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Lapford

The village is said to be haunted by the spirit of the Vicar John Radford, who murdered his curate but was not punished for the crime. When he died his body was not buried in consecrated ground and his spirit is still said to wander around the village.

Directions:
Off the A377.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Exeter Cathedral

There have been several ghostly sightings at Exeter Cathedral, a phantom nun was seen near the South wall of the nave, she disappeared through a wall.

The cloisters are also said to be frequented by phantom monks.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Lew House, Lewtrenchard

Lew House (now a luxury Hotel) is said to be haunted by a white lady, a ghost of a widow of one of the Squires of Lewtrenchard.

Directions:
On the old A30, between Okehampton and Launceston.

Apparitions / Black Dogs / Civil War Hauntings / Hauntings / Road Ghosts

The Old Black Dog, Uplyme

The Old Black Dog Inn has a curious story as to how it acquired its name. A local man who lived in a farm house that once formed part of a mansion destroyed in the civil war, found his house haunted by a black dog. The dog manifested by the hearth almost every night. Consider the article, The Lyme Regis Black Dog.

Folklore

Wistmans Wood, Dartmoor

This strange and twisted woodland is thought to be one of the few remnants of ancient woodland dating from prehistoric times. The woodland broods with the feeling of enchantment and visiting the wood is like a walk in the otherworld.