The Elderly Coachman

The Devil’s Stone Inn in Shebbear stands as one of Devon’s most storied coaching inns, its ancient walls bearing witness to over four centuries of travellers seeking shelter and sustenance. Built in the 1600s as a 17th-century farmhouse, it evolved into a vital coaching stop along the historic routes that crisscrossed North Devon. Among the spirits said to linger within its flagstone-floored rooms and timber-beamed restaurant, none is more poignant than that of The Elderly Coachman.

Historical Context

During the coaching era of the 17th through 19th centuries, The Devil’s Stone Inn served as a crucial waystation for the stagecoach services that formed the backbone of British transportation. In an age when travellers depended entirely on horse-drawn vehicles for long-distance journeys, coaching inns like The Devil’s Stone were essential infrastructure, providing not just lodging and meals, but the vital service of fresh horses and skilled coachmen.

The village of Shebbear itself held significant historical importance, having been recorded as the third-largest settlement in North Devon in the Domesday Book, with its Saxon name Sceftbeara meaning “Spear-shaft Wood.” The inn takes its evocative name from the legendary Devil’s Stone—a massive boulder that sits on the village green outside St Michael’s Church, directly across from the inn. Local folklore holds that this stone fell from the Devil’s pocket, and every November 5th, the village maintains the ancient tradition of turning the stone to prevent disaster from befalling the community.

The Coachman’s Role

In the coaching era, coachmen were highly skilled professionals whose expertise extended far beyond simply driving horses. They were responsible for the safety of passengers, mail, and valuable cargo, often carrying letters, packages, and money while conducting business for their customers. These men possessed intimate knowledge of the roads, weather patterns, and the best routes between destinations, making them indispensable to the functioning of the coaching system.

A coachman’s day began before dawn, checking his team of horses, inspecting the coach for any signs of wear or damage, and ensuring all cargo was properly secured. The journey between coaching inns typically covered 8 to 20 miles, with horses being changed at each stage to maintain the demanding pace that passengers expected. By the 1830s, improvements in road construction and vehicle design allowed coaches to achieve speeds of up to 10 miles per hour—remarkable for the era.

The Apparition

The spirit known as The Elderly Coachman manifests most frequently in what is now the restaurant area of The Devil’s Stone Inn. Witnesses describe encountering the full apparition of an elderly man dressed in the distinctive attire of his profession: a heavy greatcoat to protect against the elements, sturdy boots, and the practical clothing befitting someone who spent long hours exposed to harsh weather conditions while perched on the driver’s box of a stagecoach.

Staff and guests have reported seeing this figure moving purposefully through the restaurant, his presence so solid and lifelike that many initially mistake him for a living person. However, the apparition’s period clothing and the way he seems to navigate the space as if it were laid out differently than it appears today suggest this is indeed a spirit from the inn’s coaching past.

Witness Accounts and Manifestations

The Elderly Coachman’s appearances follow a consistent pattern that speaks to his earthbound purpose. Witnesses report that he seems to be going about familiar duties, perhaps checking on the welfare of travellers or ensuring that all is in order before the next departure. His movements suggest muscle memory from decades of professional responsibility—pausing where tables might once have been arranged differently, or glancing toward what may have once been the main coaching entrance.

Unlike malevolent hauntings, encounters with The Elderly Coachman are characterised by a sense of purposefulness rather than menace. Those who have witnessed him describe feeling as though they are observing someone simply continuing their work, unaware that their earthly duties ended long ago. Some guests have reported a sense of being watched over or protected, as if this dedicated professional continues to ensure the safety and comfort of those who seek shelter at the inn.

Connection to the Inn’s History

The persistence of The Elderly Coachman’s spirit aligns perfectly with the documented history of The Devil’s Stone Inn. As a coaching inn that operated during the heyday of horse-drawn transportation, it would have employed numerous coachmen over the centuries. These men often developed deep connections to particular inns along their routes, forming relationships with innkeepers, ostlers, and regular passengers that could span decades.

The inn’s strategic location in Shebbear, with its historical significance as a major North Devon settlement, would have made it a crucial stop on several coaching routes. The presence of the mysterious tunnel reportedly connecting the inn to the nearby church adds another layer to its intriguing past, suggesting the building may have served purposes beyond simple accommodation and refreshment.

Paranormal Investigation

The Devil’s Stone Inn’s reputation as one of the twelve most haunted pubs in Britain has attracted numerous paranormal investigators and television production teams over the years. These investigations have documented various forms of unexplained activity throughout the building, with The Elderly Coachman being among the most frequently reported phenomena.

The consistency of witness descriptions across different time periods and the specific nature of the apparition’s appearance and behaviour lend credibility to the accounts. The fact that multiple independent witnesses have described similar clothing, demeanour, and location of appearances suggests something more than imagination or suggestion at work.

A Guardian Spirit

Rather than a restless or tormented soul, The Elderly Coachman appears to be what paranormal researchers term a “residual guardian”—a spirit that continues to fulfil what it perceives as its protective duties. His presence in the restaurant area, where travellers once gathered for meals and rest, suggests he may still be watching over the welfare of those who pass through The Devil’s Stone Inn.

This interpretation aligns with historical accounts of the deep sense of responsibility that professional coachmen felt toward their passengers. Many coaching disasters were prevented by the quick thinking and expertise of these skilled drivers, who often risked their own safety to protect those in their care. It would not be surprising if such dedication to duty might transcend death itself.

Continuing Legacy

Today, as visitors dine in the restaurant of The Devil’s Stone Inn, they dine in a space that echoes with centuries of hospitality and service. The appearance of The Elderly Coachman serves as a tangible link to that remarkable era when skilled men guided horse-drawn coaches through the challenging landscape of Devon, ensuring that travellers reached their destinations safely.

Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, the story of The Elderly Coachman represents something profoundly human: the enduring nature of dedication, responsibility, and care for others. In the historic restaurant of The Devil’s Stone Inn, amid the ancient flagstones and timber beams that have witnessed centuries of human passage, the spirit of this faithful servant of the road continues his eternal watch over those who seek shelter from their journeys.