Britain has a rich tradition of legends and folklore; stories passed down by word of mouth through generations.
Dartmoor has its own wealth of legends, many of which have some basis in truth.
Legends once helped people explain events and phenomena that defied logical understanding.
They also reveal the hopes and fears of our ancestors.
The map shows some of the locations of the various happenings.
Almost all the locations can be visited and are, in themselves, well worth a visit.
With a little imagination it is not too difficult to envisage the wicked Vixana peering from the top of Vixen Tor, or to imagine the body of poor Childe the Hunter lying beside the cross which marks where his body was found.
These are by no means all the Dartmoor legends, but a good cross section which, it is hoped, will inspire you to find out more about Dartmoor.
Content reproduced from Dartmoor legends retold by Tom Gant & Len Copley.
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The Story of Goemagot
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The Story of Clotted Cream
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The Legend of Bowerman’s Nose
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The Legend of Brentor Church
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The Legend of Grey Wethers
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The Weaver of Dean-Combe
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The Evil Rider
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The Legend of the Abbot’s Way
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Cranmere Benjie
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Childe The Hunter
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The Bed of Tulips
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The Legend of Jay’s Grave
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The Legend of Stephen’s Grave
