This character pub in darkest Devon has been officially inspected: it’s one of the 8 most haunted pubs in the UK. The spook certificate is in the bar. The landlady retells some good stories: at the last inspection people in the bar asked the child spirit to appear and everyone saw a coat being pulled strongly - and someone trying to touch it put her hand into an area that was icy cold. When the spirit left the curtains moved and the door closed without any wind assistance!
When my sister-in-law lost a necklace down a tiny gap between the floorboards it looked as if there might have been some supernatural assistance. Then we couldn’t find our keys… Across the square is the devil’s stone, ready for its annual turning by local heavies on All Saints day with the church bells ringing to keep the devil away!
The pub food is good, there are 4 real ales in a friendly bar much used by locals, and the refurbished bedrooms have managed to combine history with some modern amenities. The owners couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful - and they let the dog stay free. So the appalling bangs and clatters in the morning after the clocks went back were quite unexplainable, until we found a very loud Chinese couple who knew nothing of our time change and were determined to wake everyone up for an early breakfast!
In the square at Shebbear, Nr Holsworthy, Devon, EX21 5RU.
www.devilsstoneinn.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/yzrnxo7
This is a new art gallery I found by chance on a recent trip to North West Devon. It has a totally unique piece of street art and some excellent work by Devon-based artists including Ann Fawssett Atkin, beautiful acrylic paintings of birds and Neil Jeffers' eye-popping pop art oils. Fantastic furniture all made from sustainable timber, and some remarkable photography and sculpture.
The Little Gallery on the Farm,
Southcombe Farm
Shebbear, EX21 5RF.
2 miles south of Stibb Cross on the Shebbear Road. 11 miles south of Bideford
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- Population:
- 950
- Currency:
- Pound (£)
- Time zone:
- GMT
- Dialling code:
- + 44 (0) 1409