The Paranormal Database

Judge Jeffreys

Location: Exeter - White Hart Inn
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Ghost unknown, basilisk 1640s
Further Comments: A popular haunting figure down in the southwest, the Judge's shade has been reported in this public house. A woman in a long black cape, said to resemble the lady from the 'Scottish Widows' advert, has been seen in the courtyard. Another legend states that a basilisk lurked in the well of the building (still present today), and the creature killed two workmen with its obnoxious breath.

Horses

Location: Exmoor - Chetsford Water area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The sound of neighing and hoof thuds can be heard in the area, even when there are no wild horses present.

An old postcard of the Doone Valley in Exmoor.

Wolf Man

Location: Exmoor - Doone Valley
Type: Werewolf
Date / Time: Nineteenth century
Further Comments: A woman walking home after dark reported seeing a grey man with a wolf's head, apparently stalking a large rabbit. The werewolf vanished when disturbed by a stag that ran out from a nearby wooded area.

Beast of Exmoor

Location: Exmoor - General area
Type: ABC
Date / Time: Late twentieth century
Further Comments: Police, soldiers, big game hunters... all have staked out the moor at various times over the past thirty years in the hope of catching the big cat that has killed hundreds of sheep. None have succeeded.

Gathering Soldiers

Location: Exmoor - Menhir near burial mounds
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A large standing stone (shattered by lightning in 1996) near the village here is reportedly the rendezvous point for the ghosts of soldiers who were killed on a nearby ancient battlefield.

Built by the Devil

Location: Exmoor - Tarr Bridge (also known as Tarr Steps), River Barle
Type: Legend - Old Nick
Date / Time: Still present
Further Comments: A local giant made a wager with Old Nick that that a bridge could not be built across the River Barle overnight. Old Nick rolled up his sleeves and promptly proved him wrong. The Devil then took ownership of the bridge, refusing to let anyone cross safely until a priest drove him away.

Devil's Footprints

Location: Exmouth - Backenhayes Farm
Type: Legend - Old Nick
Date / Time: 8/9 February 1855 (footprints), ghost sighting unknown, ABC between 1982-1990
Further Comments: The Devil's Footprints ran for one hundred miles across Devon, appearing overnight after a light snowfall. One of the locations they were reported was on this farm, the tracks being recorded on the roof and second floor window. The house is also reputed to be haunted by a blue lady, while a fawn coloured large cat was seen several times over an eight year period.

Fontelautus

Location: Exmouth - Belmont House (no longer present), Bicton Street
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre-1820
Further Comments: Two weeks prior to the death of Fontelautus, the two year old son of the Rev Jonas, the cook claimed to have observed a headless child drift through the kitchen before vanishing. After Fontelautus died, his nurse, sister, and others heard his calls emerging from the nursery. Such was the alarm, Fontelautus's grave was dug up to check that the boy was really dead.

Audience Laughter

Location: Exmouth - Blackmore Theatre
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: A Saturday morning, circa 1998
Further Comments: While working alone on the site on a Saturday morning, a member of staff heard distant audience laughter emerge from the auditorium. The strange occurrence happened twice during the member of staff's time at the theatre.

Large Black Cat

Location: Exmouth - Hulham Road
Type: ABC
Date / Time: Early Morning, Winter, 1989
Further Comments: Two sisters spotted what they described as a black panther cross the top of the field by the hedge line. The creature then graciously jumped through the hedge and disappeared.

Lynx

Location: Exmouth - Hulham Road, woods (no longer there?)
Type: ABC
Date / Time: Spring 1983
Further Comments: Two women walking close to woodland spotted a large sandy coloured Lynx in a field.

Lady

Location: Exmouth - Private farmhouse
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre-1985
Further Comments: Never seen, only heard, the phantom 'swish' sound woman's skirt could be heard as she passed by.

Tapping

Location: Exmouth - Private residence
Type: Poltergeist
Date / Time: 2023
Further Comments: The occupant in this residence would feel a tap on their shoulder or a tug at their shirt, as well as the feeling that they were never truly alone in their room. A plush whale went missing for a few weeks, only to reappear on the bedroom floor.

Cold Hands

Location: Exmouth - Private residence, EX8 postcode area
Type: Poltergeist
Date / Time: 1989-1993
Further Comments: A typical poltergeist outbreak was reported at this site, with activities including the ringing of the doorbell, tapping on the windows, footsteps heard on the staircase, and cold hands felt touching the feet of witnesses in bed.

Mrs Seymour

Location: Exmouth - Private residence, Hulham Road
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Twenty-first century
Further Comments: Named by residents, this ghostly older woman has been observed walking up the driveway before disappearing. Another witness spotted Mrs Seymour crossing the landing, and a disembodied voice heard calling 'Hello?' when the building stood empty.

Horses

Location: Exmouth - Town end of St Andrews Road
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 2007-2009
Further Comments: Thought to be the site of a former stables or old coaching house, the sounds of hooves, whinnying and soft talking have been heard in the area.

Drakes

Location: Exton - Nutwell Court
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: While the house is haunted by Sir Francis Drake, the road outside is also populated by the ghosts of a horse and rider. Eliot Drake broke his neck in a fall while racing, but now continues to ride.

Child Talking

Location: Frithelstock - Church of St Mary and St Gregory
Type: Unknown Ghost Type
Date / Time: 1932
Further Comments: A couple who took their son to the church were amazed when they witnessed the boy claim to have been at the church before, asking what had happened to his 'lovely tower' (which had been demolished, and at the time of the incident was unknown). The boy acted strange for a few more minutes before appearing to change manner and act as a normal child again.

Turtle-like Monster

Location: Goodrington - Off coast at Saltern Cove
Type: Cryptozoology
Date / Time: 27 July 2010, around 15:30h
Further Comments: This creature was described as turtle-like, having large front flippers, small back flippers and a shell, but was also said to have a small head on a thin, two foot long neck. It was around 27.5 metres off the coast, and it was said that fish beached themselves to escape the creature.

Mad Monk

Location: Haldon (aka Haldon Hills) - Lidwell Chapel
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The monk would kill and rob passing travellers, throwing their bodies down a nearby well. A sailor who had stopped to rest for the night discovered what the monk was up to. He threw the evil cleric down the same well to hold him until the authorities turned up. The monk is still heard trying to escape.

Monk carrying Bucket

Location: Harberton - Church House Inn
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Once a secret meeting place for monks, this one remains looking for his brothers. Why he carries the pail is unclear.

Two Headless Women

Location: Hartland - Bow Bridge area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Dressed in silken dresses, these headless shades slowly move around. Ghost lights have also been reported.

Arrival of Hercules

Location: Hartland - Hartland Point
Type: Legend
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Mainland Britain was once ruled over by a giant known as Albion, who named the island after himself. Albion the giant was defeated by Hercules, who landed in upon these shores at this location.

Black Monk

Location: Hartland - St Nectan's Church, and the road leading to the abbey
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A monk in a black habit was seen walking around within the church by a former Reverend. A local legend states that a phantom band of brothers drift from the church to the former abbey, where they vanish.

Teenage Girl

Location: Hartland - West Country Inn
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Mid twentieth century
Further Comments: This teenager, named as Elvira, was lured away from her home by a gypsy who murdered her. Her presence made itself known by opening curtains and the sound of her footsteps.