Burrator Reservoir and Dartmoor’s Hidden Legends

Gateway to the Mystical Moor

Standing at The Burrator Inn, you find yourself at the threshold between civilisation and the wild mysteries of Dartmoor. Just a mile away, Burrator Reservoir’s dark waters conceal more than a century of secrets, while beyond stretches one of Britain’s most legend-rich landscapes. This corner of Devon, where the modern world meets ancient mystery, offers paranormal enthusiasts and folklore lovers an unparalleled journey into the supernatural heart of the West Country.

The Haunted Waters of Burrator

Burrator Reservoir, completed in 1898 to supply Plymouth with water, is far more than a feat of Victorian engineering. The reservoir’s construction drowned an entire landscape of farms, ancient tracks, and settlements, creating what many locals consider to be one of Dartmoor’s most haunted locations. On still mornings, when mist rises from the water, visitors report hearing the phantom tolling of church bells from beneath the surface – though no church was ever submerged in the reservoir’s creation.

The most persistent legend concerns the fate of Longstone Farm, which stood where the water now lies deepest. The farm’s last inhabitants were said to have been given insufficient notice before the flooding began, and local folklore speaks of lights seen beneath the water on certain anniversaries, as if the farmhouse still stands intact in its watery grave. Anglers fishing the reservoir at dusk have reported seeing figures walking across the water, following the routes of long-drowned paths that once connected the scattered moorland farms.

The reservoir’s dam itself has its own spectral guardian. Workers during the construction reported tools disappearing and reappearing in impossible locations, while modern maintenance crews speak of a figure in Victorian working clothes who appears at times of high water, seemingly checking the dam’s integrity. Some believe this to be the spirit of one of the original engineers, still concerned about his life’s work over a century later.

Sheepstor and the Legendary Tomb

A short walk from The Burrator Inn brings you to Sheepstor village and its remarkable church, home to one of Dartmoor’s most intriguing burial sites. Here lies the tomb of Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak, who retired to nearby Burrator House. His ghost is said to walk between his former home and his tomb on the anniversary of his death, still dressed in the exotic robes of his Eastern kingdom.

The church itself, dedicated to St. Leonard, dates from the 15th century and is built on much older foundations. Local tradition holds that the church is connected by underground passages to the ancient settlements on the moor, and that on certain nights, processions of hooded figures can be seen entering the church, though it remains locked and empty. The churchyard’s ancient yew trees are said to whisper secrets to those who know how to listen, particularly during the old Celtic festivals of Samhain and Beltane.

The Bronze Age Mysteries of Drizzlecombe

Beyond the reservoir, the moorland opens up to reveal one of Dartmoor’s most significant Bronze Age ceremonial landscapes. Drizzlecombe, with its stone rows, burial cairns, and standing stones, represents nearly 4,000 years of continuous sacred use. This is not merely an archaeological site but a living landscape where the veil between worlds remains remarkably thin.

The stone rows, stretching across the moor like ancient processional ways, are said to become active at certain times of the year. Local folklore speaks of lights moving along the rows during the summer solstice, while others report hearing drumming and chanting when camping near the stones. The giant standing stone known as the ‘Bone Stone’ is particularly associated with supernatural activity, with numerous accounts of figures in Bronze Age dress seen performing rituals at its base.

Dowsers and earth mystery researchers have identified powerful energy lines running through Drizzlecombe, connecting it to other sacred sites across Dartmoor. These ‘ley lines’ are believed by many to channel spiritual energy, explaining the high levels of paranormal activity reported in the area. Photographers often capture mysterious orbs and light anomalies here, particularly around the terminal stones of the rows.

The Witches of Leather Tor

Visible from The Burrator Inn on clear days, Leather Tor has long been associated with witchcraft and dark magic. During the 17th century, this was said to be a gathering place for Devon’s witches, who would meet here on Walpurgis Night to conduct their sabbats. The tor’s distinctive shape, resembling a throne when viewed from certain angles, gave rise to legends of it being Satan’s Seat, where the Devil himself would preside over these unholy gatherings.

Even today, climbers report strange experiences on Leather Tor. Compasses spin wildly, mobile phones lose signal even when neighbouring tors have perfect reception, and many describe an overwhelming sense of being watched. On misty evenings, locals avoid the tor entirely, citing tales passed down through generations of travellers who ventured too close to the tor after dark and returned changed, speaking of music and dancing lights that tried to lure them from the path.

The Dartmoor Letterboxes: A Modern Mystery Tradition

While not ancient, the tradition of letterboxing on Dartmoor adds another layer of mystery to the landscape. Started in 1854 at Cranmere Pool, this practice of hiding boxes containing rubber stamps and visitors’ books in remote locations has evolved into a massive treasure hunt with thousands of hidden boxes across the moor. Many letterboxers report paranormal experiences while searching for boxes, particularly those hidden near ancient sites.

Some boxes have gained legendary status, such as the ‘Ghost Box’ near Burrator, which is said to move location on its own, always remaining just out of reach of searchers. Others report finding boxes that shouldn’t exist, containing stamps depicting scenes or messages that seem to predict future events or reveal hidden historical truths about their locations.

The Feather Bed of Lady Howard

One of Dartmoor’s most enduring legends concerns Lady Howard of Fitzford, condemned for murdering her four husbands to ride in a coach made from their bones every night from Okehampton to Tavistock. The route passes close to Burrator, and on stormy nights, locals report hearing the sound of skeletal horses and rattling bones on the old moorland tracks.

The coach is preceded by a black dog with eyes of fire – some say this is the spirit of Lady Howard herself, transformed as part of her punishment. Those who encounter the coach are advised to throw themselves flat on the ground and avoid looking at it directly, as meeting Lady Howard’s gaze is said to mean death within the year. The tradition is so strong that even today, some older residents of villages near Burrator will not venture out after dark when storms are brewing.

Pixie Paths and Fairy Rings

The area around Burrator is renowned for its pixie activity. These mischievous spirits of Devon folklore are said to lead travellers astray with their pixie-leading, causing even those familiar with the moor to become hopelessly lost. The traditional remedy – turning your coat inside out – is still practiced by some moorland walkers, particularly when crossing areas known for pixie activity.

Near Sharpitor, accessible from The Burrator Inn via ancient tracks, several fairy rings can be found. These perfect circles of grass, scientifically explained as fungal growth patterns, are traditionally considered doorways to the fairy realm. Local children are still warned never to step inside these rings, particularly at dawn or dusk, lest they be stolen away to fairyland. Those who have inadvertently entered the rings report losing hours of time, emerging confused and disoriented with no memory of what occurred.

The Practical Explorer’s Guide

For those wishing to explore these mysteries from The Burrator Inn, several marked trails provide safe access to the moor’s supernatural sites. The Burrator Reservoir circular walk (approximately 3.5 miles) offers stunning views and passes several locations associated with paranormal activity. The path is well-maintained and suitable for most fitness levels, though proper footwear is essential.

The Drake’s Trail, following the old railway line, provides a gentler introduction to the area’s mysteries. This traffic-free route is perfect for families and offers numerous opportunities to branch off onto moorland paths leading to ancient sites. Information boards along the way detail local legends and folklore, though they barely scratch the surface of the area’s rich supernatural heritage.

For more adventurous explorers, guided walks focusing on Dartmoor’s paranormal heritage are available from local operators. These often include evening walks during the full moon, when paranormal activity is said to peak. The Burrator Inn serves as an ideal base for these expeditions, offering comfortable accommodation and local knowledge from staff familiar with the moor’s mysteries.

Seasonal Mysteries and Ancient Festivals

The landscape around Burrator transforms with the seasons, each bringing its own supernatural significance. Spring sees the return of the pixies after their winter hibernation, with increased reports of pixie-leading and mysterious lights on the moor. Summer brings the ancient fire festivals, when beacon fires once burned on every tor, and some say they still do in the spirit realm.

Autumn is perhaps the most supernaturally active season, as the veil between worlds thins approaching Samhain (Halloween). This is when the Wild Hunt is said to ride across Dartmoor, led by the ancient god Woden (Odin) or, in Christianised versions, by the Devil himself. The sound of hunting horns and baying hounds echoing across the moor on autumn nights sends locals hurrying indoors, for to see the Wild Hunt means certain doom.

Winter brings its own mysteries, with the longest nights seeing increased supernatural activity. The midwinter solstice is particularly significant, when ancient spirits are said to walk the old straight tracks, and standing stones glow with an inner light visible only to those with the Sight.

Conservation of Mystery

While exploring these legendary landscapes, visitors are reminded that they are custodians of both natural and supernatural heritage. The mysteries of Dartmoor have survived because they have been respected and preserved through generations. Take only photographs, leave only footprints, and if you encounter something inexplicable, remember that some mysteries are meant to remain unsolved.

The Burrator Inn stands as your gateway to these wonders, a comfortable refuge where you can share your experiences with fellow explorers and perhaps add your own chapter to the continuing story of Dartmoor’s mysteries. Whether you come seeking ghosts, folklore, or simply the wild beauty of the moor, you’ll find that this corner of Devon offers mysteries enough for a lifetime of exploration.