Devil's Mowing Contest Haunting
In the quaint village of St Mabyn, Cornwall, a rather unusual legend has been passed down through the ages. The story goes that the Devil, also known as Old Nick, and the village smith engaged in a hay mowing contest. The smith, being a cunning fellow, secretly planted obstacles, likely iron stakes, in the Devil's half of the field. As expected, the Devil's scythe quickly became blunt, and in a fit of rage, Old Nick hurled his whetstone at the smith. Unfortunately for the smith, the whetstone missed its mark and landed in a nearby field, where it remained for some time before being removed.
Historical records of this event are scarce, but the tale has become an integral part of local folklore. The fact that the whetstone was said to have remained in the field for an extended period suggests that the incident may have been witnessed by multiple people, adding some credibility to the story. While there's no concrete evidence to support the supernatural involvement, the legend has endured, captivating the imagination of locals and visitors alike. The incident is often classified as a legend, specifically an Old Nick story, which typically features the Devil in a more human-like role.
The story likely dates back to the 18th or 19th century, when folklore and superstition were prevalent in rural England.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Ghostly White Rabbit of Egloshayle
Egloshayle church, Wadebridge
Egloshayle church in Wadebridge is home to a rather unusual ghostly inhabitant - a white rabbit. On nights when the moon is at its brightest, the spectral rabbit is said to bolt across the churchyard, vanishing into the boundary wall. This strange phenomenon has been observed on multiple occasions, leaving many to wonder about the story behind this ghostly creature. According to local legend, the rabbit's appearance is linked to another entity that haunts the churchyard - a man who tried to shoot the rabbit with a shotgun but ended up killing himself instead.
Phantom Coach Haunting
Trewornan Bridge, Wadebridge
Trewornan Bridge in Wadebridge is home to a rather unusual and thrilling ghostly sighting. Once a year on a full moon night, a phantom team of horses pulling a coach comes thundering across the bridge at breakneck speed. The sudden apparition is a spectacle to behold as it races across before vanishing on the other side. Locals and visitors alike have been treated to this eerie display, which has become a sort of macabre annual tradition.
Drunken Monks Haunting
Treneague Cottage, Wadebridge
Treneague Cottage in Wadebridge is home to a rather unusual ghostly gathering. A small group of ghostly monks are said to congregate here, seemingly to enjoy a tipple or two of their home brew. The exact date and time of these paranormal visits are unknown, but the image of these spectral monks enjoying a drink or two is certainly an intriguing one. It's hard not to wonder what led these monks to this particular cottage, and what their connection is to the location.
Cornwall Wallaroo Sighting
Exact location not known, Wadebridge
Wadebridge in Cornwall is a picturesque town surrounded by rolling hills and countryside. It's not exactly the kind of place you'd expect to spot a wallaroo, a medium-sized marsupial native to Australia. Yet, in September 2007, that's exactly what happened. A wallaroo was seen roaming around the area, leaving residents and visitors alike scratching their heads. The sighting was reported and documented, but unfortunately, the exact location was not recorded.
Phantom Coach Apparition
Molesworth Arms Hotel, Wadebridge
At the Molesworth Arms Hotel in Wadebridge, Cornwall, a rather eerie spectacle unfolds on New Year's Eve. The phantom of a coach and four, complete with a decapitated coachman at the reins, materialises in the courtyard. This ghostly carriage is said to make its presence known in two distinct ways: some people are unfortunate enough to see it, while others are only privy to the sound of its passing. The coach is reported to exit the premises via the hallway, leaving onlookers with a chilling experience to recount.
Phantom Coach at Molesworth Arms Hotel
Molesworth Arms, Wadebridge
The Molesworth Arms Hotel in Wadebridge has a long history of ghostly occurrences. One of the most famous stories is about a phantom coach that appears in the courtyard at midnight on December 31st, driven by four horses and a headless coachman. Guests have reported seeing this apparition for years, but one guest had an especially eerie experience when they complained of strange occurrences with their room's kettle and TV.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Exact location not known

Molesworth Arms
Wadebridge, Cornwall

Bodmin Jail Hotel
Bodmin, Cornwall

Camelot Castle Hotel
Tintagel, Cornwall

The Wellington Hotel
Boscastle, Cornwall