Phantom Sow of Dartmoor
Merripit Hill, a remote and windswept spot on Dartmoor, is home to a most unusual ghostly apparition - a phantom sow and her litter. They are said to roam the area, searching for food, their ethereal presence adding to the hill's already eerie atmosphere. The fact that this haunting involves an animal rather than a human spirit makes it all the more intriguing, and locals and visitors alike have been fascinated by the sightings for years.
The origins of this haunting are unclear, but it's likely that the spirit of the sow and her litter dates back to the Victorian era, when farming was a major industry in the area. It's possible that the ghostly pigs are connected to a local farm or land that was once used for pig farming. While there aren't many documented accounts of the phantom sow, the fact that multiple witnesses have reported seeing the apparition lends credibility to the sightings. The ghostly pigs seem to be harmless, and their nocturnal wanderings are more a curiosity than a cause for concern.
The area has a long history of farming and rural life.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
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.
Dewer's Ghostly Huntsman Terror
Dewerstone Woods, Dartmoor
Deep within Dewerstone Woods on Dartmoor, a spine-chilling legend has long been whispered about. They call him Dewer, a Wisht huntsman with a malevolent spirit. His ghostly form is said to appear to unsuspecting travellers, sending them fleeing in terror up the highest crag in the area. But Dewer's intentions are far from benign. He delights in chasing his victims to the edge of the precipice, where a fatal fall awaits. And if the drop doesn't claim their life, the unfortunate souls are said to be consumed by hell hounds lurking at the bottom, waiting to drag them down to a fiery abyss.
Battle of Cadover Bridge
Cadover Bridge, Dartmoor
Cadover Bridge, a tranquil spot in the heart of Dartmoor, is suddenly transformed into a scene of chaos and bloodshed. The sound of battle echoes through the air, a cacophony of screams, clashing steel, and the cries of the dying and injured. It's as if the very fabric of time has torn apart, allowing the echoes of a long-forgotten conflict to seep into the present. The bridge, a picturesque spot by day, becomes a hotbed of paranormal activity at night, when the sounds of war are said to reverberate through the valley.
Flickering Light of Coffin Wood
Coffin Wood, Dartmoor
Coffin Wood, a place where the past lingers, is home to a strange and intriguing phenomenon. A glowing ball, which flickers around the trees, has been observed in this wooded area. This eerie light is said to appear in a spot where, historically, bodies were transported from horseback into their coffins, a morbid yet fascinating piece of Dartmoor's history. The flickering light, an unexplained visual manifestation, draws those interested in the paranormal to this remote and atmospheric location.
Phantom Funeral Processions
Lych Way, Dartmoor
Lych Way, a historic route that winds its way through the rugged Dartmoor landscape, is said to be haunted by the ghostly apparitions of phantom monks and funeral processions. The eerie sightings have been reported by numerous individuals who have dared to venture along this ancient pathway, particularly at dusk or dawn when the misty moorland air seems to amplify the sense of unease. These ghostly processions are often accompanied by the spectral forms of tin miners, a reminder of Dartmoor's rich industrial heritage.
Dartmoor Treasure Guardian
Chaw Gully, Dartmoor
Deep within the rugged landscape of Dartmoor National Park lies Chaw Gully, a place of eerie legend. They say a fearsome beast guards a hidden treasure, working in tandem with a cunning raven. As the story goes, if anyone ventures too close to the loot, the raven sounds the alarm, and the monster springs into action. It waits patiently until a would-be treasure hunter lowers a rope into the pit, then swiftly severs it, leaving the unfortunate soul to meet a fatal end. Each morning, the body is found outside the hole, a grim testament to the guardian's deadly efficiency.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Merripit Hill

The Three Crowns
Chagford, Devon

The Burrator Inn
Dousland, Devon

The Bedford Hotel
Tavistock, Devon

The Oxenham Arms
South Zeal, Devon