The Naked Boy Legend
Deep in the Brendon Hills of Somerset, a peculiar legend has long been whispered about. They say a large boulder, said to be an alcoholic turned to stone, comes to life on nights of the full moon. It's believed that this strange, inanimate object animates and travels to the nearby river, where it quenches its thirst. The image of a massive stone figure roaming the hills under the light of the full moon is a haunting one, and it's easy to see why this legend has endured for so long.
The story of the Naked Boy is a curious one, and its origins are shrouded in mystery. While the exact date of the event is unknown, it's said to be a relic of a bygone era. According to local lore, the boulder was once a man who suffered from a life of excess, and his penance was to be turned to stone. On certain nights, when the moon is full, he's said to regain his mobility, and makes his way to the river to drink. It's a strange and captivating tale that continues to fascinate locals and visitors alike.
The legend of the Naked Boy has been a part of local folklore for many years, with its origins lost to history.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Croydon Hill Devil Haunting
The nearby Croydon Hill, Rodhuish
Croydon Hill stands as a foreboding presence in the Somerset countryside, its slopes shrouded in an aura of mystery and terror. An old lane that winds its way up the hill was once said to be home to a creature with horns, a fearsome being that locals referred to as the Devil. But it wasnt just the creature that inspired fear - a local lad who once dressed up as the Devil to play a joke on unsuspecting travellers met a chilling fate, disappearing without trace. Some say on stormy nights, his ghostly screams can still be heard echoing through the hill, as if the real Devil has taken him.
Joan Carne's Vengeful Spirit
Area which is currently Sandhill Farm, Withycombe
Sandhill Farm in Withycombe, Somerset, is said to be haunted by the malevolent spirit of Joan Carne, a woman with a dark history. Legend has it that Joan killed her three husbands, and her reign of terror didn't end with her death in the early 17th century. Shortly after her passing, she was seen in her kitchen, a sighting that has been etched in local folklore ever since. Some believe that a 19th-century exorcism finally laid her spirit to rest, but others claim that her phantom appearance is an ill omen, a warning of impending doom.
The Devil's Mount Haunting
Area around the church, Wievliscombe
In the quaint Somerset town of Wievliscombe, a most peculiar and intriguing haunting has been documented. The Devil's Mount, as it has come to be known, centres around the local church, where a rather eventful incident took place during its rebuilding in 1827. According to reports, the devil himself manifested, riding a magnificent green dragon, and began hurling rocks at the construction site. This extraordinary display of malevolence was abruptly halted by the timely intervention of Saint Andrew, who materialised and used a crucifix to drive both the devil and his dragon steed away.
Drake's Haunting Cannon Ball
Sydenham Hall, Combe Sydenham
Sydenham Hall stands as a testament to history and romance, its stone walls bearing witness to a legend that has endured for centuries. The tale revolves around a cannon ball, said to have been fired by Sir Francis Drake himself, which rolled down the aisle of the hall's chapel, a poignant gesture to his beloved who was on the cusp of marrying another. This act of devotion has left an indelible mark on the location, with the cannon ball remaining to this day, a symbol of undying love and loyalty.
Headless Horseman of Combe Sydenham
Hills around village, Combe Sydenham
Combe Sydenham is a place where the fabric of reality seems to be at its thinnest. Locals have long whispered about a ghostly procession that takes place on the hills surrounding the village, particularly around midnight to dawn. At the heart of this eerie spectacle is Sir George Sydenham, said to ride a headless horse, his ghostly steed pounding the earth as he gallops up and down the hills. This spectral sighting is often associated with the Wild Hunt, a phenomenon steeped in folklore and myth. Those who claim to have heard the Hunt describe it as a chilling cacophony of sounds, but few have been brave enough to look.
Lazy Ghost of Greenham
Greenham Barton, Stawley
Greenham Barton in Stawley, Somerset, is home to a rather unusual haunting. Two ghosts are said to roam the premises, each favouring a different room. One ghost is often spotted in an old bathroom, while the other seems to have a fondness for sitting in a chair in the drawing room. The identities of these ghosts remain a mystery, but their presence has been noted by various individuals over the years.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Brendon Hills
