Dartmoor's Phantom Horseman
Perched atop Combestone Tor in the rugged expanse of Dartmoor National Park, a chilling spectacle has been reported by locals and visitors alike. This windswept outcrop of granite has borne witness to the restless spirit of Sam Hunnaford, a local farmer who met a tragic end. It's said that Hunnaford took his own life by hanging, overcome with shame after being duped at a fair. Yet, his spirit hasn't rested. Instead, it's been seen riding a horse, reenacting his final journey, but with a haunting twist - rather than meeting his demise, the ghostly apparition continues on towards his former home, as if trying to relive or redo the past.
The story of Sam Hunnaford dates back to the Victorian era, a time of rural hardship and fairground entertainment. It's a period when the community was tight-knit and shame could be a powerful, destructive force. Hunnaford's actions, though desperate and tragic, reflect the pressures and pitfalls of rural life at the time. The haunting, characterised by sightings of a ghostly horseman, has been observed under the cover of darkness, adding to the eerie allure of Combestone Tor. While there are no detailed witness accounts or documented evidence beyond the local legend, the persistence of this ghost story speaks to the lasting impact of Hunnaford's fate on the local community.
The haunting is set in the Victorian era, a time of rural life and fairgrounds.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Ghostly Horseback Rider
Woodland in the area, Denbury Down
Deep in the woodland of Denbury Down, a chilling sighting has been reported by numerous individuals. A figure on horseback, clad in what appears to be ancient attire, has been seen in the distance. This spectral rider is said to be holding a shield and sword, evoking images of a bygone era. The eerie atmosphere is further intensified by the sounds of a horse charging through the underbrush, leaving many to wonder about the origins of this ghostly apparition.
The Weaver's Ghostly Hound
Pool in the area, Deanscombe
In the quiet rural area of Deanscombe, Devon, a peculiar ghostly apparition is said to roam. Locals whisper about a weaver who, after death, returned to his workplace, refusing to leave until he was convinced of his passing by a vicar. This eerie tale takes a strange turn as the weaver transforms into a hound, said to appear briefly at midday and midnight by a pool of water in the area, known as Houndpool. The vicar, in an attempt to calm the spirit, gave the hound a broken shell, instructing it that it could only leave when the pool was emptied.
Wrangaton Lion Sighting
Lane in the area, Wrangaton
Wrangaton Lane in Devon was the unlikely setting for a most unusual sighting on 19 November 1998. A local man reported seeing a blood-stained creature, later believed to be a lion, enter a field along the lane. This sparked an eight-hour search operation involving police, who were understandably concerned that local hunters armed with shotguns had joined the hunt. The situation was potentially volatile, but thankfully, no shots were fired.
The Cheap Devil of Tavistock
Tavistock Inn Inn, Poundsgate
Tucked away in the picturesque village of Poundsgate, the Tavistock Inn has a reputation for being one of Devon's most haunted pubs. Legend has it that the Devil himself, affectionately known as Old Nick, once popped in for a pint during a stormy night in the seventeenth century. He looked like any ordinary man, apart from his rather unusual cloven feet, which didnt go unnoticed by the keen-eyed landlady. Although he paid for his drink, the money mysteriously turned into old leaves the moment he left the premises.
Dartmoor Yeth Hounds Haunting
General area of the River Tavy, Dartmoor
Deep in the heart of Dartmoor, where the River Tavy winds its way through the rugged landscape, a chilling phenomenon has been reported by locals and visitors alike. The Yeth Hounds, a type of shuck, are said to roam this area after dark, their mournful howls and the sound of horse hooves echoing through the valleys. These ghostly hounds are often accompanied by the faint whispers of hunters on horseback, adding to the eerie atmosphere of this already haunted location. The River Tavy itself holds a dark secret, being the site where the body of Sir John Fitz was found, a fact that only adds to the sense of foreboding that pervades this stretch of countryside.
Calling Stones Haunting
Rowbrook, Dartmoor
Deep within Dartmoor's rugged landscape lies the eerie Calling Stones, also known as Broad Stones, where an unsettling legend has taken hold. It's said that the River Dart, which flows gently through the area, has a sinister reputation for claiming one life a year. The method of claiming these lives is as chilling as it is unusual - the river is believed to call out to its victims by whispering their names until they are drawn into its waters, where they ultimately meet a tragic end by drowning.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Combestone Tor

The Burrator Inn
Dousland, Devon

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

The Three Crowns
Chagford, Devon

The Bedford Hotel
Tavistock, Devon