Spooky Dartmoor Myths and Legends
Stories are as old as mankind itself, and storytelling has become its own beloved artform. They’ve been used to communicate feelings, lessons, and also real experiences that sometimes have listeners questioning the authenticity of it. Any true Dartmoor lover knows that the 368 square miles of National Park is steeped in local legends, and whether they are true or not is largely up for debate. But hey, we don’t need stories to be real to have a great time.
We’ll be presenting condensed versions of these stories. With that said, someone get the fire going and pass us a torch, let’s dive into 5 spooky Dartmoor myths and legends.
The Hairy Hands
Perhaps the most famous locally known tale amongst the sea of myths and legends, the hairy hands as a name sounds comical, but they are seriously no joke. Locals have heard different variations of the story, each one equally as terrifying as the next.
The story goes that a granite miner kept noticing his lunch was being stolen, day by day. After a week, he had enough and set out to find the culprit. A fellow granite miner was found to be the criminal, and as sentence, his hands were bound and stretched across a rock and cut off as punishment. His hands allegedly wander the moorland, looking for visitors to terrorise.
We aren’t particularly sure how these hands became sentient, or hairy at that matter. But one thing we know for sure, is that they have been sighted by drivers for over a century between Postbridge and Two Bridges, grabbing hold of unsuspecting vehicles.
The Witch of Vixen Tor
Enter the wicked witch of the west, no not Elphaba from Wizard of Oz. This witch’s name is Vixiana, an old, disgusting woman who took pleasure in luring unsuspecting victims into the bog at the foot of Vixen Tor, purely for her satisfaction. This story has earned its reputation among myths and legends for being particularly harrowing.
She had it out for the locals of Dartmoor, primarily because they despised her foul stench, disgusting appearance and rotten attitude. Standing atop Vixen Tor at sunset, she used her evil eyes to find travellers or locals and cast a thick fog over them, where she would then pretend to be a helpful, guiding voice. Ultimately, she was a guiding voice, but rather than to safety, to demise.
His name is not known, but a handsome young man who was popular in the area had obtained magical items from piskies. A new set of eyes that rendered him immune to the thickness of the fog, and a ring which turned him invisible. Utilising his burning hatred of witches, the man used these gifts to see through the fog and sneak up to Vixiana’s spot on top of Vixen Tor. Where he kicked her off the tor and into the bog, meeting the same fate as her victims.
Bowermans Nose
A dramatic tale amongst Dartmoor myths and legends of a hunter who feared no one and a pack of angry hags who sought revenge on the brave hunter. (pretty awful excuse). Dear reader, we have arrived at the legend of Bowerman’s Nose.
Bowerman was a mighty hunter, a man of fearlessness with a love for the hunt. One night, he trampled his way through one of the witchs’ Sabbaths, enraging them. In revenge, one of the witches, named Levara, transformed into a rare white hare and caught Bowermans attention.
Leading Bowerman on an exhausting hunt that lasted for hours. Levara lured him around the side of the tor where the other witches were hidden. Once surrounded, a spell was cast and he was transformed into the granite pillar we see today, with all of his hounds said to be the rocks around him. The name ‘Bowermans Nose’ comes from its long humanlike nose, and a peculiar cap shaped rock on top.
The Legend of Cranmere Pool
Imagine anguish and turmoil so bad that you fall ill, die, and then become condemned to an impossible task that you have to do until the Day of Judgement. In this entry of Dartmoor’s myths and legends, we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Gayer.
A man of wealthy stature, Benjamin suffered a series of financial misfortunes, including his merchant vessels and crew being captured by pirates. A ransom fund was collected in Okehampton for the release of captured sailors. Benjamin used the ransom fund gathered to secure his ships back, but to no avail. He eventually died from an illness caused by his grieving and despair over the fates of captured sailors and his financial misfortune.
Benjamin’s ghost plagued Okehampton, and eventually he was forced to leave in the form of a black colt, which was led into Cranmere Pool. After an unsuccessful attempt to bind Benjamin to an impossible task, he was then condemned to make trusses of sand. A mundane task, but one that could never be completed, thus solidifying his fate.
Jay’s Grave
Up there with the most famous Dartmoor myths and legends, young Mary Jay’s story is a heart-wrenching one. Her grave can be found northwest of Hound Tor, at a set of crossroads near Manaton. Locals at the time had a damning approach to suicide, and believed that these spirits would be earthbound and would eventually return to haunt the residents.
Commonly referred to as Kitty Jay, she was a young, orphaned farm girl during the late 19th century. After falling in love and becoming pregnant her lover, Jamie, abandoned her. Jay, in her distress and confusion sadly hung herself in a nearby farm. Originally buried in a less than sympathetic manner, her remains were dug up by James Bryan and relocated to where her grave is today.
The most curious spectacle of Jays grave is that fresh flowers appear on her grave every day. Only one person is known to have done it, and that is novelist Beatrice Chase, who died in 1955. Since then, excited locals have set up cameras and have stayed overnight to get a glimpse of the mystery person, but to no avail.
Retreat to Dartmoor
If you’re feeling a bit chilled after these myths and legends, we’d like to welcome you to the warming safe haven of Gidleigh Park, a stunning 5-star hotel nestled near Chagford, Dartmoor. Our 107 acres of grounds are your sanctuary in the moorland. Whether it’s a family treat or a romantic getaway, you’ll step into a world of welcoming hospitality, delicious food, and comfortable rest. Book your retreat to the wilderness today.