The Phantom Postmistress

The Victorian Guardian of The Burrator Inn

Deep within the historic walls of The Burrator Inn, a spectral figure from the Victorian era continues her eternal rounds. Known to locals and visitors as the Phantom Postmistress, this mysterious lady in black has become one of Devon’s most intriguing paranormal residents. Her presence, both haunting and oddly comforting, tells a story of duty that transcends death itself.

A Life of Service

During the Victorian era, part of The Burrator Inn served as the local post office for the communities of Dousland and Yelverton. This was a time when the postmistress held a position of considerable responsibility and trust within the community. She would have been keeper of not just the mail, but also local secrets, managing communications for the entire area surrounding Burrator Reservoir and the western edges of Dartmoor.

The postmistress, whose name has been lost to time, was known for her meticulous nature and dedication to her duties. The large bunch of keys she carried represented more than just access to the post office facilities – they symbolised her authority and trustworthiness in an era when the postal service was the lifeline connecting remote Dartmoor communities to the wider world. These keys would have opened mail bags, secure storage areas, and perhaps even private postal boxes for the more affluent residents of the area.

The Haunting Begins

Witnesses describe the phantom as a lady dressed entirely in black Victorian mourning attire, a common sight in an era when elaborate mourning customs were strictly observed. She moves silently through various areas of the inn, particularly those sections that once housed the post office. Her movements are described as purposeful rather than aimless – she appears to be making her rounds, checking on her domain as she did in life.

The most distinctive feature of this haunting is the sound of keys. Staff and guests have reported hearing the unmistakable rattling of a large bunch of keys, even when no one is visible. The sound often precedes a sighting, giving witnesses a chilling warning of her approach. Some have described seeing her “creeping silently” through the inn, her dark figure barely visible in the shadows, yet the keys at her waist catching what little light there is.

Modern Encounters

The Burrator Inn, now a welcoming pub and accommodation on the road between Yelverton and Princetown, continues to experience regular paranormal activity. Staff members have reported numerous encounters with the Phantom Postmistress over the years. She seems particularly active during quiet periods, perhaps preferring the solitude that allows her to perform her eternal duties without interruption.

One particularly compelling account comes from renovation work carried out in the early 2000s. Workers reported tools being moved, the sensation of being watched, and on several occasions, the clear sound of keys rattling in empty rooms. Some workers even reported seeing a dark figure observing their work, particularly in areas that were being restored to their original Victorian configuration.

Guests staying at the inn have also reported encounters. Some have awakened to the sound of keys outside their doors, while others have glimpsed a dark figure in the corridors. Interestingly, most witnesses report feeling no sense of threat or malevolence from the spirit. Instead, there’s an overwhelming sense of duty and purpose, as if she’s simply continuing the work she performed so diligently in life.

The Inn’s Living History

The Burrator Inn’s location, just a mile from the historic Burrator Reservoir (completed in 1898), places it at a crucial junction in Devon’s Victorian development. The building has served the local community for well over a century, originally as a hunting lodge before evolving to meet the needs of the growing population drawn to the area by the reservoir’s construction.

Today, following extensive renovation that carefully preserved its historic character, the inn features seven en-suite rooms, cosy corners with open fireplaces, and dining areas that maintain the building’s Victorian charm. The Phantom Postmistress seems to approve of these changes, with staff noting that paranormal activity often increases after restoration work that honours the building’s heritage.

A Timeless Presence

What makes the Phantom Postmistress particularly fascinating is the consistency of the sightings over many decades. Multiple witnesses, with no knowledge of previous accounts, have described remarkably similar experiences: a lady in black, the sound of keys, and the sense of purposeful movement through the building. This consistency has led paranormal investigators to classify this as a residual haunting – a kind of ethereal recording of past events that replays under certain conditions.

The Haunted Devon paranormal group, which has investigated the inn, notes that the haunting appears to be completely benign. The Phantom Postmistress seems unaware of the living, focused entirely on her eternal duties. Some theorise that her strong sense of responsibility in life has somehow imprinted itself on the very fabric of the building, creating a loop of energy that continues to manifest.

Local folklore suggests that she may have died while still in service, perhaps suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving her feeling that her duties remained unfinished. Others wonder if some traumatic event connected to the post office – perhaps involving lost mail or a breach of trust – might have bound her spirit to the location. Whatever the cause, she remains one of Dartmoor’s most reliable spectral residents.

Visiting the Haunted Inn

For those hoping to encounter the Phantom Postmistress, The Burrator Inn offers an ideal base for exploring both the paranormal and natural wonders of Dartmoor. The inn’s position on the B3212 between Dousland and Yelverton makes it easily accessible, while its proximity to Burrator Reservoir provides stunning scenery and numerous walking trails.

Staff at the inn are generally happy to share their experiences with interested guests, and the atmosphere of the historic building, with its low beams and cosy fireplaces, certainly sets the scene for paranormal encounters. Whether you’re a serious paranormal investigator or simply curious about Devon’s ghostly heritage, The Burrator Inn offers a unique opportunity to potentially experience a genuine Victorian haunting.

The Phantom Postmistress continues her rounds to this day, a testament to duty that death could not end. In an age of instant digital communication, there’s something poignant about this Victorian guardian of the post, still clutching her keys, still checking her domain, forever frozen in a more formal and dutiful age.