The Leaping Devil of Batcombe
Batcombe Church stands tall in the Dorset countryside, its stone walls bearing witness to a centuries-old legend. They say the church tower once had four pinnacles, but one went missing under mysterious circumstances. The story goes that the Devil himself tried to jump over the tower while chasing a local wizard named Minterne. In his haste, he lost his footing and the pinnacle came crashing down. Locals have been talking about the Leaping Devil for generations, and it's a tale that still sends shivers down the spines of those who hear it.
This old legend has its roots in the history of Batcombe Church, which dates back to the medieval period. Although the exact date of the incident is unknown, it's clear that the story has been passed down through the years. The church tower, with its distinctive three pinnacles, remains a prominent feature of the local landscape. While there's no concrete evidence to support the supernatural events, the Leaping Devil has become an integral part of local folklore. It's a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the human imagination.
Medieval church with 14th-century tower
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Tortured Man of Batcombe
Cross Hand Stone, Batcombe
Perched on Batcombe Down, the Cross Hand Stone stands as a haunting reminder of a gruesome crime. A felon, tortured to death, met his end on this very spot. His bones were eventually buried beneath it, but it seems his spirit refuses to rest. Locals claim that the ghost of the man occasionally appears, a chilling sight for those who stumble upon the stone. The atmosphere is said to be heavy with foreboding, as if the past lingers, waiting to be uncovered.
Murderers Lane Ghost
Dirt track along Bubdown Hill, Melbury Bubb
Deep in the Dorset countryside, a rural road known as Murderers Lane weaves its way through the rolling hills. Locals whisper about a ghostly apparition that haunts this dirt track on Bubdown Hill. They call him Mr Baker, a farmer who met a brutal end in 1694. Every year on November 10th, his spirit is said to return, possibly driving a horse and carriage through the darkness. The lane's eerie reputation draws in those with a taste for the paranormal, all hoping to catch a glimpse of Mr Baker's ghostly procession.
Headless Women of Leigh
Pool in the area, Leigh
In the sleepy Dorset village of Leigh, a chilling spectacle is said to unfold at midnight. The scene centres around a pool, rumoured to be the site of a tragic accident involving a horse and coach. According to local legend, four women lost their lives in this very spot, their bodies submerged in the water. What's particularly unsettling is that their ghostly apparitions are said to reenact the moment of their death, rising headless from the pool and travelling by coach through the surrounding area.
Duke of Monmouth's Ghostly Return
Old coaching house, East Woodyates
The Old Coaching House in East Woodyates is a place where history and the paranormal collide. This ancient inn is said to be haunted by the ghost of the Duke of Monmouth, who allegedly rested here while making a daring escape to the coast after the Battle of Sedgemoor. It's a story that has been etched into the fabric of the inn, and one that continues to fascinate visitors to this day. As you step inside, you can't help but feel a chill run down your spine, as if the Duke's presence still lingers in the air.
The Wat Perkins Haunting
Chantmarle mansion, Cattistock
Chantmarle mansion in Cattistock, Dorset, is home to a rather unusual and intriguing haunting. For several years, a phantom voice would cry out 'search for Wat Perkins!' once a year, sending a shiver down the spines of those who heard it. The voice was a mystery, leaving many to wonder who Wat Perkins was and why his name was being called out in such a peculiar way. It wasn't until a skeleton, minus its head, was discovered in a ditch that some answers began to surface.
Evershot Highwayman Apparition
The Acorn Inn, Evershot, Evershot
The Acorn Inn in Evershot has been a place of rest and refreshment for centuries. This historic inn is steeped in history and folklore, with many believing it to be haunted by the ghost of a highwayman who appears on its staircase. According to legend, this apparition has been seen by numerous visitors over the years, adding to the inn's reputation as one of Dorset's most haunted locations.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Church

The Acorn Inn
Evershot, Dorset

The New Inn
Cerne Abbas, Dorset

The Bull Hotel
Bridport, Dorset

Golden Lion Hotel
Weymouth, Dorset