Devil of a good tale

devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
18 October 2006

THE very name The Devil's Stone Inn sends a chill down the spine and it comes as no surprise that the well-known Shebbear hostelry has a reputation as one of the most haunted pubs in England.

Its name stems from Shebbear's famous Devil's Stone situated just across the village square.

The six foot boulder is something of a mystery. It is not a type of stone found elsewhere in the locality.

Legend has it that it was dropped by the Devil himself.

Bellringers from the village church use crowbars each November 5 to turn the stone over - following a tradition that it must be turned annually to ward the Devil away.

The pub itself was once a farmhouse, but was turned into a coaching inn some 400 years ago.

It is said to be linked to the church across the square by a hidden tunnel.

The reputation for hauntings stems from reports of staff and guests over many years of strange "goings on" and the pub has often been visited by paranormal groups and investigation teams - including by a Haunted Devon team earlier this year.

Among its uninvited guests are reports of a young girl running around and also of her mother and of a grumpy man.

Current owners Chris and Steve Hurst have only been there since last December.

But Chris already reports a number of strange experiences.

"I sometimes hear a noise like the little girl running across the landing," she said.

"There are also knocks on doors and doors open, but when you step back to let someone through, there is no-one there. Pictures move and I have also had a feeling like someone breathing down the back of my neck. Guests have reported duvets being removed from their beds. Investigations have also revealed orbs of light flying around.

"But there is no bad feeling at all. Paranormal groups have said the spirits seem very happy.

"I am the sort of person who would get very nervous, but I have been here on my own in the evening and have had no bad feelings at all."

It was said the young girl and her mother could be the result of a past fire in the building, when a woman died, said Chris. And the grumpy old man was said to have been a rent collector who called for his dues from lodgers there.

But with its beamed ceilings, flagstone floor, open fireplaces and fine kitchen, The Devil's Stone Inn provides a warm welcome to all customers, old and new.