Cultural Devon / Devon's History and Heritage / Myths, Legends and Folklore in Devon

Myths, Legends and Folklore in Devon

Hairy hands, cloven footprints, cider sweetened by devilish means, mischievous sprites and mysterious fresh flowers - if your taste is for the bizarre, the sinister and the downright scary, you're in for a treat with Devon's many myths and legends.

Ashburton's naughty children used to be threatened with Kutty Dyer, an evil water sprite who would cut their throats and drink their blood.

In the early 20th century, strange happenings struck on the road near Postbridge - several cycles, pony traps and even cars lost all control and crashed. One man reported that a pair of large, hairy hands had closed over his own and forced him off the road.

In the mines, miners feared the goblins that could help - or hinder: a bit of pasty left out for them was a sure way to win a friend.

Every night a ghostly white lady makes her way by carriage to Okehampton, steps down to pluck a blade of grass, and then returns home; she can only rest easy when the mound has no grass.

Jay's wayside grave near Hound Tor is another sad tale: Kitty Jay is believed to have committed suicide after getting pregnant while unmarried. Mysteriously, fresh flowers appear each day on her grave.