HAUNTED LOCATIONS
Devon
Located in southwestern England, Devon is a captivating county known for its diverse landscapes and charming towns.
It's also a county steeped in rich and ancient history, a treasure trove of spectral tales and paranormal mysteries. Known as one of England’s most haunted regions, it offers a captivating journey into the realm of the unknown.
1. Berry Pomeroy Castle | Totnes
This well-known historical castle was built in the late 15th century by the Pomeroy family, who had held the land since the 11th century.
The first structure on the site dates back to the 13th century, but it was not until the 16th century that the Pomeroy family rebuilt it as a defensible castle.
It is one of the last private castles to have been built in England.
Originally, the Seymours planned to create a magnificent Elizabethan mansion within the castle’s medieval walls, but the ambitious project was left unfinished. Abandoned for a century, the castle became a magnet for artists and sightseers in the late 18th century.
Berry Pomeroy Castle is renowned for its eerie legends and ghostly tales.
The most famous ghost is the White Lady. She is said to be the spirit of Margaret Pomeroy, daughter of one of the castle’s owners. According to the legend, Margaret was imprisoned in the dungeons by her jealous sister, Eleanor. Margaret’s ghost is often seen wandering the castle grounds, dressed in white, and she is considered a harbinger of doom.
Another spectral figure associated with the castle is the Blue Lady. Her identity remains a mystery, but she is often seen near the castle’s tower.
Some believe she is the spirit of a woman who fell to her death from the tower while trying to escape an attacker.
2. Okehampton Castle | Okehampton
Okehampton Castle, located in Devon, England, is a medieval motte and bailey castle. Constructed between 1068 and 1086 by Baldwin FitzGilbert, it originally served as a symbol of power.
Over time, the castle transformed into a luxurious residence.
The remains of the Norman keep, perched atop its motte, offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. You can explore the ruins, learn about its history, and enjoy the picturesque setting, surrounded by woodland and springtime bluebells.
Okehampton Castle is said to be haunted by Lady Mary Howard, a relatively well-to-do lady, who lived at the castle until her death in 1671. However, in death, she became entangled with the infamous Lady Frances Howard, a notorious poisoner. Legend mistakenly attributed the murders of four husbands to Lady Mary.
As a result, she now endures a nightly penance: traversing Dartmoor in a carriage made from the bones of her supposed victims. Upon reaching Okehampton Castle, she plucks one blade of grass from the hillside.
Visitors have reported encountering a phantom hound within the castle ruins. This spectral dog is believed to be a guardian or protector of the site.
Its mournful howls echo through the ancient stones, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
3. Buckland Abbey | Yelverton
Founded in 1278, Buckland Abbey stands as one of the last Cistercian monasteries established in medieval England and Wales. Buckland Abbey is associated with Sir Richard Grenville the Younger and Sir Francis Drake. After 1576, Richard Grenville converted it into a house, and it has undergone various alterations since then.
Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake, the former resident of Buckland Abbey, still haunts its halls. After purchasing the abbey in the 1500s following years at sea, Drake faced local disapproval. According to folklore, he struck a pact with the devil to complete refurbishments on time, binding him to the abbey forever. His ghost is said to roam Dartmoor in a coach drawn by headless horses, accompanied by a pack of howling hounds. Locals caution that any dog hearing their cries will meet an untimely end.
4. Wistman's Wood | Dartmoor
Wistman’s Wood is an ancient oak forest located on Dartmoor. The wood covers about 8.6 acres and is split into three main blocks: North, Middle, and South Groves. The woods are a Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of the Wistman’s Wood National Nature Reserve. It has been managed since 1961 under a nature reserve agreement.
Beyond Devon’s stately homes, Wistman’s Wood on Dartmoor also features prominently on lists of haunted places. According to local legend, this eerie woodland—imbued with a supernatural aura—was once the sacred ground where druids conducted their rituals. Numerous accounts recount ghostly occurrences and inexplicable phenomena in this mystical forest.
5. Saltram House | Plympton
Located in the parish of Plympton, near Plymouth, is a stunning Georgian mansion. Designed by the architect Robert Adam, it’s considered “the most impressive country house in Devon.” The house has undergone various changes over time, but its drawing room, adorned with Adam’s exquisite interiors, remains a highlight. The estate also boasts an extensive collection of paintings, including works by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
But beyond its opulence lies a chilling history. Legend has it that a kitchen maid was murdered within its walls, and her ghost still roams the property—a hooded figure gliding across corridors and mysteriously passing through solid doors. Another eerie visitor is the ghostly child, whose apparition has been witnessed by residents.
6. Old Forde House | Newton Abbot
Old Forde House, a magnificent Grade I listed manor house dating back to 1545, has a rich history.
Originally much smaller, it was built by John Gaverock.
The house still features its original front door. In 1610, Richard Reynell of the Middle Temple expanded and rebuilt the property, creating its distinctive ‘E’ shape floor plan—possibly in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth I.
Notably, King Charles I stayed here on his way to Plymouth, and the house also hosted Oliver Cromwell and Sir Thomas Fairfax during the second siege of Exeter in 1646. In 1938, the Sellick Family acquired Old Forde House, using it for their antiques business.
Now owned by Teignbridge District Council since 1978, the house retains original elements like the front door, staircase, and wooden paneling.
It's haunted history includes sightings of a ghostly lady in white, footsteps, and eerie sensations. If you visit, you’ll step back in time and explore the house’s intriguing past!
At Ghostly Nights, we're privileged to be able to offer a ghost hunt here.
7. Powderham Castle | Kenton
Powderham Castle is a 600-year-old fortified manor house.
Originally built by Sir Philip Courtenay in 1391, the castle has undergone transformations over the centuries. Despite surviving the ravages of the English Civil War, it has remained in the same family.
The estate is now home to Charles, the 19th Earl of Devon.
During renovations in the Guard Tower, workers discovered a secret room with the bones of a woman and a baby. According to mediums, they were bricked up alive and left to die in cold darkness. Their spirits reportedly linger within the castle.
There is also the Grey Lady. This somber apparition is believed to be Lady Frances, who married Viscount Courtenay in 1741. She’s seen strolling between the castle and Powderham Church or flitting about the library, leaving a chilling presence. Her appearances are said to presage family deaths.
8. Tiverton Castle | Tiverton
Tiverton Castle is a stunning historical landmark located in the heart of Tiverton. Built in the 1100s, the castle has been beautifully preserved and offers visitors a glimpse into the past. With impressive architecture and rich history, Tiverton Castle is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the area.
It is said be haunted by several ghosts, including a lady in white who is believed to be the ghost of a former owner's daughter. Visitors have reported hearing strange noises and feeling a chilling presence in certain areas of the castle. Despite its spooky reputation, Tiverton Castle remains a popular tourist attraction and a fascinating piece of English history.
9. Chambercombe Manor | Ilfracombe
Chambercombe Manor, situated in Ilfracombe, is a historic manor house that dates back to the 11th century. The manor has a rich history, including being used as a hiding place for Catholic priests during the Reformation.
Over the years, it has been used as a family home, a farm, and even a school. Today, it is open the public and is a popular tourist attraction in the area.
It is known for its ghostly hauntings, which have been reported by visitors and staff alike. The most famous ghost is believed to be that of a woman named Lady Jane Grey, who is said to have been murdered in the manor. The haunted room, adjoining the room once used by Lady Jane Grey, there’s a mysterious chamber.
Legend has it that in 1738, a tenant repairing the roof discovered an outline of a window with no corresponding room. Investigation revealed a hidden chamber where the remains of a woman lay on a handsome bedstead. She was supposedly a titled lady who perished after being shipwrecked on the nearby rocks at Hele. Her jewelry was taken, and the room sealed off.
10. Kents Cavern | Torquay
Kents Cavern, a fascinating cave with both archaeological and geological significance - a breath-taking 400 million years old!
It is one of the most important Stone Age cave sites in Europe. For thousands of years, ancient humans sought shelter here, shaping stone tools, making fires, and even coexisting with Ice Age predators.
It has been a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1952 and a Scheduled Ancient Monument since 1957.
Guided tours allow visitors to explore the natural passages used by our ancient ancestors. You’ll see amazing formations, remains of mammoths, woolly rhinos, and sabre-toothed cats.
Numerous paranormal investigations have taken place in the caves. During a recent investigation, two safety helmets worn by investigators were lifted completely off their heads. Additionally, unexplained Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) evidence has been recorded. Witnesses have also experienced light anomalies and temperature fluctuations in the constant 14°C environment, along with an unsettling feeling of being watched in the darkness.