The Vanishing Dane of Molland
On a dark and spooky evening, 31 October 1984, a driver was heading towards the village of Molland in Devon when a sudden and unexpected apparition appeared in the road. A Great Dane, its size and presence unmistakable, ran out in front of the car, forcing the driver to slam on the brakes. As the vehicle came to a stop, the hound calmly walked up to the car and then, in an instant, vanished into thin air. This bizarre and unexplained encounter has become a famous local legend, with many regarding it as a classic example of a ghostly Shuck, a type of spectral hound said to roam the countryside.
The story of the Vanishing Dane has been passed down through the years, with various attempts to explain the strange event. While some have speculated that the apparition may have been a manifestation of local folklore or a ghostly guardian of the village, others have suggested that it could be a case of mass hysteria or a misinterpretation of a natural phenomenon. Whatever the explanation, the encounter remains a well-documented and intriguing example of paranormal activity in the English countryside. The fact that the incident occurred on Halloween, a night often associated with supernatural happenings, only adds to the mystique of the Vanishing Dane.
Rural Devon in the late 20th century
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Forgotten Fairy King
Close to the site of the old castle, Dough
Deep in the Irish countryside, near the remnants of an ancient castle, lies the haunting legend of Donn, a powerful fairy king lost to the annals of time. They say he was once revered and mighty, ruling over the Sandhills with wisdom and strength. Yet, as the years went by and his name faded from the lips of bards and villagers, his influence began to wane. Some believe that Donn still roams these windswept hills, a forgotten relic of a bygone era, searching for a way to reclaim his former glory.
Exeter University Ghost
Exeter University, Exeter
Exeter University is home to a rather unusual ghostly resident. A phantom man dressed in painter's overalls has been spotted walking down the corridors, leaving students and staff alike scratching their heads. This bizarre apparition was first seen back in 1967 and has been a topic of interest for paranormal enthusiasts ever since. The fact that he's wearing painter's overalls suggests he might have been a maintenance worker or someone who was involved in some kind of manual labour.
The Last Executed Prisoner
Exeter prison, Exeter
Exeter Prison, a place with a dark history, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a man who met his end within its walls. In 1973, two prisoners reported seeing a middle-aged man walking along the upper gallery, only to vanish as he reached a cell door. This apparition was later identified as the last person to be executed in the prison. The incident left staff and inmates alike with a sense of unease, wondering if they had truly caught a glimpse of a restless spirit.
Fallen Workers of Exeter
St Annes Well Brewery, Exeter
St Annes Well Brewery in Exeter has a dark history that's said to be haunted by the ghosts of two workers who lost their lives on the premises. Legend has it that the two men fell down a shaft into the basement, succumbing to their injuries. Since then, strange occurrences have been reported, particularly in the basement area, where workmen have refused to work after sunset due to poltergeist-like activities. The screams and shadows seen in this area are often blamed on the unfortunate workers. It's a chilling tale that has captured the imagination of locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
The Grey Lady of Exeter Hotel Haunting
Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel, Exeter
The Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel in Exeter has a long history of paranormal activity. Guests and staff have reported seeing the 'Grey Lady', a woman dressed in tattered clothing, walking up and down the staircases in the early hours of the morning. The clanking noises are often compared to the sound of rattling chains, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Exeter's Haunted City Gate Hotel
City Gate, Exeter
The City Gate Hotel in Exeter is said to be haunted by a poltergeist or apparition. Reports suggest that despite a closed skylight, people have experienced a cold wind blowing in the cellar on warm days with no external breeze. Ghostly screams and the howling of dogs have also been heard within the hotel's walls. Perhaps most unsettling are reports of unearthly music and flickering lights at 3am. But it's not just the humans who seem to feel the presence - cats visiting the kitchen have reportedly spat and shaken when near a specific spot where a previous landlord took his own life.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Road leading into the village

City Gate
Exeter, Devon

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

Best Western Exeter Lord Haldon Country Hotel
Dunchideock, Devon