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The Wild and Wonderful Dartmoor

Dartmoor is a huge area of moorland in Devon, England, covering around 954 square kilometres. It is famous for its rolling hills, wild ponies, and rugged beauty.

People have lived there since prehistoric times, leaving behind stone circles, standing stones, and old settlements. What makes Dartmoor extra special, though, are the stories. For centuries, people have told tales of strange creatures, magical beings, and ghostly happenings.

These myths have been passed down from parents to children, keeping the magic of Dartmoor alive. Even today, visitors often feel that Dartmoor is not just beautiful, but also a little mysterious.

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The Hair-Raising Hound of Dartmoor

One of the most famous Dartmoor legends is about the terrifying black dog, often called the “Devil’s Hound” or the “Whisht Hounds.” These ghostly dogs are said to have glowing red eyes, shaggy black fur, and an eerie howl that echoes across the moors. Legend says they hunt across the moor during stormy nights, led by the ghostly huntsman.

Some believe this story inspired the famous Sherlock Holmes book The Hound of the Baskervilles. Farmers and walkers have claimed to hear the hound’s howl or even catch a glimpse of its glowing eyes.

Would you dare to go for a walk on Dartmoor at night? Just remember – if you hear a howl, don’t look back!

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The Mysterious Hairy Hands

One of Dartmoor’s strangest and most chilling tales is about the Hairy Hands of Postbridge. For over a hundred years, people have reported seeing ghostly hairy hands grab the steering wheels or handlebars of travellers along a lonely road.

The hands try to force them off the path and into danger. No one knows where they come from or why they haunt this spot. Some think it’s the spirit of a jealous coachman who died in an accident. Others think it is just the moor playing tricks on people’s minds.

Whether true or not, many people still feel nervous driving through this area today!

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The Legend of Kitty Jay

Kitty Jay was a poor young woman who lived in Dartmoor hundreds of years ago. She worked as a farm servant but had a very hard life. Sadly, her story ends in tragedy, and she was buried at a lonely crossroads on the moor.

Local people noticed that fresh flowers always appeared on her grave, even though no one ever saw who put them there. Some say that Dartmoor’s pixies leave them, others think it is a sign of kindness from the people who still care about her story. If you ever visit her grave, you might just spot some fresh flowers yourself!

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Bowerman the Hunter and the Witches

Bowerman was a brave hunter who lived on Dartmoor. He wasn’t afraid of anything, not even witches! One day, he accidentally disturbed a group of witches while chasing a hare.

The witches were furious and cast a terrible spell on him, turning him into a huge stone figure. You can still see Bowerman today, standing tall as “Bowerman’s Nose,” a strange rock formation on the moor.

People believe it is his frozen form, forever watching over Dartmoor. Some even say that on misty days, you can still hear Bowerman’s hunting horn echoing across the hills.

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The Mischievous Dartmoor Pixies

Dartmoor is full of stories about pixies. These are tiny, magical creatures who love to play tricks on travellers. They might lead you off the path, hide your belongings, or make you walk around in circles.

This is called being “pixie-led.” The only way to escape is to turn your coat inside out or carry a bit of bread in your pocket. Many people on Dartmoor still carry on this tradition, just in case they run into the cheeky pixies.

Some farmers even leave a little bread for them at night to keep them happy!

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The Ghosts of Dartmoor’s Old Buildings

Dartmoor has lots of ancient buildings, including ruined churches, old inns, and stone cottages. Many of these places are said to be haunted.

One of the most famous is the “The Three Crowns Hotel” in Chagford, where people have seen ghostly figures and heard strange noises. Another spooky spot is the ruined church at Brentor, perched on top of a hill.

On foggy nights, some say you can see shadowy shapes moving among the gravestones. These ghost stories make Dartmoor even more mysterious and exciting for brave explorers.

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The Stone Circles and Ancient Tombs

All across Dartmoor, you will find ancient stone circles, standing stones, and burial sites called “kistvaens.”

No one knows exactly who built them or why, but they are thought to be more than 4,000 years old! Some believe they were used for special ceremonies or to mark important places. Legends say that the stones were once people who were turned to stone as punishment.

Others believe that the stones move or dance on certain nights of the year. Visiting these ancient sites makes you feel like you are stepping back in time.

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The Cursed Village of Hound Tor

Hound Tor is the site of an abandoned medieval village. It is said that the village was cursed and left empty after a terrible event, such as a plague or a magical disaster.

Some believe that the Whisht Hounds drove the villagers away, while others think that it was the pixies’ mischief. All that remains today are the ruins of old stone houses.

Walking among them, it is easy to imagine the people who once lived there and wonder what really happened to them.

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The Tale of Jay’s Grave Flowers

Back to Kitty Jay’s Grave — no one has ever caught anyone leaving the flowers, but they appear all year round, even during the harshest winters.

Some say that the pixies are behind it, while others believe it’s a secret tradition kept alive by kind-hearted locals. The mystery of the fresh flowers has never been solved, adding another magical layer to Dartmoor’s legends.

Many visitors find the sight of the flowers moving and a little spooky at the same time.

The Dartmoor Ponies

Not all of Dartmoor’s legends are scary! Dartmoor ponies are a well-loved part of the landscape. Some stories say that the ponies have magic in them, helping lost travellers find their way home.

Others believe that the ponies can see the pixies and will avoid paths where trouble waits. These hardy ponies have lived on Dartmoor for hundreds of years and are a symbol of the moor. Whether magical or not, they certainly add to Dartmoor’s charm.

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The Ghostly Coach of Dartmoor

Another chilling story is about a ghostly coach and horses that rattle along the moor roads at night. The driver is said to be headless, and the passengers are pale and silent.

Some say the coach appears before storms, warning people to find shelter. Others believe it is cursed and doomed to drive forever. Many travellers claim to have heard the wheels creaking and the horses’ hooves echoing, even when there is nothing to be seen.

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The Spectre of Lady Howard

Lady Howard was said to be a wealthy but unkind woman from Devon. After her death, it is believed that she was cursed to ride in a ghostly coach pulled by a headless horse, accompanied by a large black dog.

Every night, the coach travels from Okehampton Castle to Tavistock, collecting grass until the hill at Okehampton is bare. Only then will Lady Howard’s spirit be free. People who have seen the coach say it is terrifying, especially when it appears suddenly on dark, stormy nights.

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The Dartmoor Fog

The weather on Dartmoor can change in an instant. One moment it is clear, and the next, thick fog rolls in, hiding everything.

This sudden fog has often been blamed for people getting lost and strange happenings. Some believe the fog is the work of the pixies, who use it to lead people astray.

Others say it is just part of Dartmoor’s natural magic. Either way, it is always wise to carry a map and compass when walking on the moor!

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The Meaning Behind the Legends

So, why are there so many myths and legends about Dartmoor? Some say it is because the landscape itself feels magical, with its wild hills, deep valleys, and mysterious stones.

Others think that the stories were a way to explain strange noises, sudden fog, or other puzzling events. Over time, these tales have become part of Dartmoor’s identity.

Today, people visit not just for the beautiful views but to feel the thrill of walking where these stories were born.

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What Do You Remember?

1. What do people believe the Whisht Hounds are?

2. How do you escape if you are “pixie-led”?

3. Who is said to leave fresh flowers on Kitty Jay’s grave?

4. What happens to Lady Howard every night, according to the legend?

5. Why do people think Dartmoor has so many legends?

Write your answers in the comment section below.

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Related Topics

If you enjoyed learning about the myths and legends of Dartmoor, you might also like to read about other mysterious places and spooky stories from across the UK.

Exploring topics like British folklore, haunted places, and the history of Devon will make you an expert on the UK’s spookiest tales!

Learn more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dartmoor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_folklore

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What Do You Think?

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