Haunted Devon

Investigation Report - Bodmin Jail

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:19:16 +0100

This was Haunted Devon’s first visit to Bodmin Jail which stands in the centre of Bodmin Town. This ominous and foreboding 18th Century stone building was built in 1776 to house the county prison. It was the first jail to hold inmates in individual cells and famously carried out public executions by hanging until 1862, with 55 executions carried out in total. The prison finally closed in 1927 and since then has become a popular tourist attraction with exhibitions telling the 150 years of torture and punishment.

Investigation Report - Woodchester Mansion

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:59:35 +0100

On the 24th of March 2007, Haunted Devon was privileged to be allowed to investigate Woodchester Mansion. This was the furthest trip the club has yet undertaken in its quest to provide evidence of life after death involving a round trip of 300 miles and overnight accommodation for some of our members. The mansion has a reputation in paranormal circles as being one of the most haunted locations in England and Haunted Devon were eager to find out if such a reputation was deserved. The Mansion is of a gothic design standing in Woodchester Park near Nympsfield in Gloucestershire. It was abandoned during construction in the mid 1870’s. Although the mansion appears to be complete from the outside a quick tour reveals missing floors and rooms left unfinished.

Video Blog - The Monks Retreat

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:41:40 +0100

Check out our latest video blog of an investigation conducted on the 7th April 2007 at The Monks Retreat in Devon.

Investigation Report - Salem Chapel

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:25:58 +0000

Everyone will have no doubt heard of the Salem witch trials? Salem in the USA the was founded by a Devonshire man called Roger Connant who was born in East Budleigh Devon in 1592. The dissenters faith had spread and in the 16th and 18th centuries following a breakaway from State interference on matters of religion many dissenters left the UK in order to establish a new way of life in the USA. From June to September of 1692 in Salem 19 women and men were sentenced to death by hanging following being sentenced for witchcraft this is probably one of the most well known witch trials recorded today.

Investigation Report - The Ley Arms

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 15:59:26 +0000

Haunted Devon’s latest excursion into the unknown took them back to The Ley Arms near Exeter. The Ley Arms is a large and spacious thatched pub standing near to The River Kenn which cuts through the village that it gives its name to. The history of Kenn dates back almost two millennia to the time of the Romans' arrival (55BC - 400 AD) when they built a network of military roads throughout Britain including a section over Haldon Hill, to link Exeter with Totnes and on into Cornwall. The history of the Ley Arms can be traced back as far as 1200AD.

Scrying

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 17:45:52 +0000

Scrying is a form of divination. Since time began humans have been curious about their future. Divination is the discovery of things that are hidden in the past, present and future, and is interpreted by visions, signs, and symbols. There are some who consider this to be a divine ability; others argue that it is something that almost everyone can do. There are many definitions of divination, as there are many different ways and forms of scrying. Practiced in many cultures and religions throughout the world. It is said the Babylonians used to gaze into liquids by the use of a sacred bowl. The Egyptians would use ponds or springs to scry. One of the most famous scryers in history was Nostradomus Levi.

Honorary Member, Jason Karl - Profile Update

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:15:20 +0000

TV presenter, actor, author Jason Karl is best known for co-presenting the first series of 'Most Haunted' (16 part series) and 'Most Haunted Unseen' (16 part series) - the hit television series on LIVINGtv, freeview FTN and The Travel Channel in the USA. He has recently been presenting 'Yes Live' on Sky channel 661 and in June 2005 he appeared in the short comedy film 'Le Clenched Twat de Notre Dame' for Lean Waters Productions – this was launched at The Commonwealth Film Festival in May, and is now screening throughout the UK. He is currently presenting a radio series called ‘The Ghost Zone’ for the BBC.

Memory And The Stone Tape Theory

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 15:43:33 +0000

Most of you will have heard of the stone tape theory. The theory is that past events can be recorded in the fabric of buildings. It’s just not buildings that seem to have this ability to store information from days gone by. Open areas seem to have this power as well. Apparitions have been seen on open moorland as well as in old buildings.

The Mystery Of Orbs

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 15:41:55 +0000

We have all, from time to time, captured mysterious balls of light on our cameras and camcorders on investigations at haunted places. These ‘orbs’ are sometimes transparent, sometimes bright and solid. They vary in size from small pinpricks to large round blobs and they come in a variety of colours. They are also caught on a variety of camera makes. The question remains – Just what are they?

Devon Haunting's - Ghosts of Okehampton Castle

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:56:37 +0000

Okehampton Castle was built after 1068 and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book as the property of Baldwin de Brionne the then Sheriff of Devon. The castle Keep was added in the C1100 and additional buildings in the C14.

Devon Haunting's - Ghosts of The Devil's Stone Inn

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:54:44 +0000

The Devils Stone Inn is situated in the heart of the ancient village of Shebbear North Devon. A former 17th Century Farmhouse it was converted to a Coaching Inn 400 years ago. Reputed by some to be one of the 12 most haunted pubs in England (Teachers Ghost Hunt club 1982). Former employees have alleged that many strange goings on have occurred at the pub particularly throughout time of change or refurbishment.

Devon Haunting's - Ghosts of Moorhaven Mental Hospital

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:52:35 +0000

Moorhaven was originally the Plymouth Asylum, built in response to a mental health act of the 1880's that required each major county and city to build an asylum for its own patients. J Hine and Odgers submitted the lowest tender of £25,900 and built the main buildings between 1886 and 1889. The hospital, designed to accommodate 203 patients, was formally opened by the mayor of Plymouth, J T Bond, in 1892.

Devon Haunting's - Ghosts of The Highwayman Inn

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:50:05 +0000

The Highwayman Inn is said by some to be Devon’s most haunted pub. It stands opposite the church of St Thomas a Becket, in Sourton just south of the A30 near Okehampton.

Devon Haunting's - Ghosts of The Pilchard Inn

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:46:39 +0000

The island was believed to have originally been occupied by monks who enjoyed the seclusion that the island gave them and fished for pilchards and brewed Mead.

Investigation Report - Dartmouth Castle

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 11:13:27 +0000

This was Haunted Devon’s second visit to the Castle which stands majestically at the mouth of the Dart estuary. The castle was originally a small fort, built in 1388 to house expensive stone-throwing machines that could hurl a rock just about to the other side of the river. Between 1481 and 1495 a new tower was constructed to mount heavy guns and it was the first purpose built artillery tower in the country. Over the centuries as the power and range of weaponry increased, more gun emplacements were added so that firepower could be directed at ships long before they reached the harbour. The last emplacements were added during World War 2

The Shadow People

Fri, 9 Feb 2007 14:26:55 +0000

Recently someone contacted BJ and I reporting that they had come across Shadow People. BJ didn’t have a clue as to what Shadow People were and I had only heard passing references to them so I thought I would find out exactly what these phantoms were.

A Dockyard Ghost

Fri, 9 Feb 2007 14:24:34 +0000

Although Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth is the home of many reported ghostly occurrences, the ghosts seemingly only visit the southern part of the dockyard. Many tales are told by sailors and staff of apparitions seen in South Yard around the Master Rope makers house and the Ropery which contains the famous hangman's cell.

New - Meet The Investigators

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:06:30 +0000

Take a look at our newly updated Meet The Investigators section with a profile look into some of our more regular members of Haunted Devon.

Devon Haunting's - Ghosts of the Kingsbridge Inn

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 20:42:31 +0000

The oldest pub in Totnes is the Kingsbridge Inn a 17th C building with some strange stories to tell.

Devon Haunting's - Ghosts of Monks Retreat

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 20:39:27 +0000

Broadhempston is situated to the South of Newton Abbot. An ancient village scattered around a church on a hilltop it is typical of many of Devon's countless villages.

Devon Haunting's - Ghosts of The Burrator Inn

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 20:36:55 +0000

The Burrator Inn is situated approximately 12 miles from Plymouth in the village of Dousland. The land was originally named "Dowland" and was owned by the Bishop of Buckland.

Haunted Devon Glossary

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 20:34:36 +0000

Check out Haunted Devon's new glossary