Teignmouth Poltergeist Haunting
Hawthorn Cottage in Teignmouth, Devon, was once the epicentre of a bizarre and terrifying poltergeist haunting. It all started when the cottage owner, Fiona, dug up several dead cats in the garden. Shortly after, the property experienced a strange outbreak of unexplained events. Electrical items began to malfunction and even explode, while apparitions of children started appearing in Fiona's bedroom. It was as if the cottage had become a hotbed of paranormal activity.
The events at Hawthorn Cottage were documented in the documentary 'Britain's Most Terrifying Ghost Stories'. A priest was called in to perform an exorcism, which seemed to calm the situation temporarily. However, after Fiona got married, the strange events started all over again. It wasnt until local ghost hunter John Parker intervened that the entity was finally rid from the site. The case is a fascinating example of a poltergeist haunting and the various methods that can be used to try and resolve it.
Late 20th century residential area
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Teignmouth White Lady Ghost
Cliffs and beach, Teignmouth
Teignmouth's rugged coastline has borne witness to a tragic tale of a woman, now known as the White Lady, who met a grisly end. Her body was washed up on the beach, only to be desecrated by locals who removed her expensive rings before callously throwing her back into the sea. It's said that whenever stormy weather claims a life, she appears standing on the coast, gazing out to sea, as if searching for something or someone.
Stormy Night Rescue Premonition
Dawlish Road, Teignmouth
Dawlish Road in Teignmouth, Devon, was the scene of a remarkable premonitory haunting back in November 1810. A servant of Colonel Templer was awoken not once, not twice, but three times in succession from a dream that someone was close to death and desperately calling out for help along this very road. The dreams were so vivid, so insistent, that the servant felt compelled to take action. He quickly saddled a horse and rode out into the stormy night, following the route of Dawlish Road until he came upon a woman who had been swept into a flooded ditch. Thanks to his timely intervention, he managed to save her from a watery grave.
Petrified Parson Legend
Parson and Clerk Rock, Dawlish
Parson and Clerk Rock, standing sentinel off the coast of Dawlish in Devon, is a place where the veil between the worlds is said to be thin. This rugged outcrop of rock is steeped in local legend, telling the tale of a priest and his clerk who stumbled upon a gathering of men behaving in a most unsavory manner. Unbeknownst to the pair, their host was none other than Old Nick himself, and they soon found themselves trapped.
Smugglers Inn Strangling Ghost
Smugglers Inn Inn, Dawlish
The Smugglers Inn in Dawlish, Devon, is home to a rather sinister presence. A room within the inn is said to be haunted by an entity with a deadly grip. A barmaid who stayed in the room back in the 1960s was subjected to this malevolent force not once, not twice, but several times. It seemed this ghostly being had a particular interest in strangling sleepers. The poor woman must have been terrified, but it was only after she discovered the dark history of the room that the events made sense.
The Grey Man of Holcombe
A374 Teignmouth Road, Holcombe
On a stretch of road in Holcombe, Devon, a rather unusual ghostly apparition has been spotted by numerous motorists. The phantom, known as the Grey Man, is said to appear as a middle-aged man dressed in a grey overcoat, waving a torch at passing drivers. One driver even believed they had hit the man, but upon stopping and searching, no evidence of a collision or the man himself could be found. This bizarre haunting has left many wondering about the identity and purpose of the Grey Man.
The Strangler of Coombe Cellars
Coombe Cellars Public House, Combeinteignhead
Coombe Cellars Public House in Combeinteignhead is home to a rather unsettling presence known as The Strangler. This historic pub has a room that has been the scene of reported paranormal activity, particularly a strong feeling of being watched or a presence being felt by those who have spent time there. It was only later discovered that this very room was once the site of a tragic murder where the victim had been strangled. The connection between the historical event and the reported hauntings seems undeniable.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Hawthorn Cottage

The Old Church House Inn
Newton Abbot (Torbryan), Devon

Best Western Exeter Lord Haldon Country Hotel
Dunchideock, Devon

Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa
Okehampton, Devon
The White Hart Hotel
Exeter, Devon