Every November, as Bonfire Night smoulders away and the dark, chilly nights settle in, the village of Shebbear in Devon gathers to perform one of Britain’s oddest and oldest traditions: turning the Devil’s Stone. It’s a ritual that involves a very large stone, a team of strong-armed villagers, and a bit of devilish history. No pyrotechnics, no roaring bonfires, just some good old-fashioned superstition, a stone, and a healthy fear of the dark forces lurking beneath.
What is the Devil’s Stone?
The Devil’s Stone, or the Devil’s Boulder, is a hefty, seven-foot-wide slab of rock weighing around a tonne (give or take a devil’s blessing or two). It sits in the village square of Shebbear, perfectly out of place, as if someone dropped it there for fun centuries ago. And perhaps someone (or something) did – but we’ll get to that.
This stone is unusual not just because of its size but because, unlike other stones in the area, it isn’t local. It’s made of quartz conglomerate, a rock type found miles away, and no one knows how it got to Shebbear. One legend claims it fell from the heavens, hurled down by disgruntled angels to trap the devil beneath it. Another tale says it was carried there by the devil himself, but something went wrong, and he ended up trapped under it instead. Whichever version you prefer, the result is the same: Shebbear’s Devil’s Stone is now the village’s unlikely jailer for the Prince of Darkness.
The Tradition: Turning the Stone to Keep the Devil at Bay
For hundreds of years, the villagers of Shebbear have gathered on 5 November (conveniently lining up with Bonfire Night) to turn the Devil’s Stone. Why? Because local lore says that if the stone isn’t turned, the devil might escape his rocky prison and cause all manner of mayhem. It’s unclear what havoc he would wreak – but then, nobody in Shebbear is keen to find out.
And so, each year, the bell ringers of St. Michael’s Church (a church devoted to the archangel known for kicking out demons) assemble and, with a mix of solemn duty and local pride, heave the stone to turn it over. The ritual is accompanied by a peal of church bells, rung in a pattern thought to have devil-scaring properties. It’s believed that if the stone isn’t turned, misfortune will befall the village – crops will fail, livestock will sicken, and, in true apocalyptic fashion, the skies will open. You can see why no one wants to skip it.
A Mystery Wrapped in Legend
The origins of this ritual are as shrouded in mystery as the stone itself. The tradition dates back so far that no one can agree on when it actually started or how. Some say it’s linked to ancient Celtic rituals meant to ward off evil spirits as the winter months approach. Others claim it’s a throwback to Anglo-Saxon or even pre-Roman customs, designed to keep the supernatural forces in line.
What we do know is that it’s one of the oldest surviving folk rituals in England, a strange blend of religious observance, community tradition, and a hint of gothic superstition. The stone itself may even have been part of a prehistoric marker or boundary, adopted over time into the legends of the village. Whatever its origins, it’s clear that the Devil’s Stone has been causing a stir for centuries – and the people of Shebbear are quite happy to keep it that way.
Turning the Stone: A Quiet Yet Fierce Spectacle
Unlike the explosive celebrations of Bonfire Night or the raucous processions of Lewes, the Shebbear Devil’s Stone turning is a relatively subdued affair. There are no flames, no effigies, and no ear-splitting fireworks – just the sound of bells and the scraping of stone on earth as the bell ringers heave the rock. It’s a community affair, but visitors are welcome, as long as they respect the tradition.
After the stone is turned, the villagers often gather in the local pub to enjoy a pint, share stories, and discuss the mysteries of the stone. Some even claim to have felt a strange vibration or sensed a dark energy emanating from it as they turned it – though whether that’s down to folklore, imagination, or a pint or two is up for debate.
The Devil’s Stone Today: Part Tradition, Part Tourist Attraction
The turning of the Devil’s Stone has attracted visitors from far and wide who are keen to witness this curious Devon tradition. It’s a unique glimpse into rural English folklore, a reminder of an era when every stone, tree, and hill had a spirit or story attached to it. Despite the eerie lore, Shebbearians (as they’re known) see the tradition as something to protect and preserve.
If you’re visiting Shebbear on 5 November, don’t expect a showy festival. This is a quiet, almost private ritual, one that keeps the village connected to its past and (hopefully) keeps the devil right where he belongs. But do come prepared to see history in action – and maybe to share a drink with a few locals who, after turning the stone, are quite certain they’ve done their part to keep the village safe for another year.
Legends and Local Lore
The Devil’s Stone isn’t just a one-dimensional rock with a bit of folklore; it has layers of intrigue:
- Bells vs. the Devil: The church bells in Shebbear are rung during the stone-turning ritual because, as any folklore enthusiast will tell you, demons hate bells. Some villagers say the combination of the bells and the stone-turning acts like a double dose of devil deterrent.
- Odd Occurrences: There are tales of unusual happenings on years when the stone wasn’t turned on time. Locals recall mysterious animal deaths, odd weather, and even small earthquakes. While it’s hard to say if these are coincidence or the devil flexing his powers, Shebbear isn’t about to take any chances.
- A Stone with a Sixth Sense?: Some claim that the stone “knows” when it’s been left unturned, describing an eerie sense of foreboding if the ritual is delayed. Rational explanation or not, the stone certainly keeps the village vigilant.
Visiting Shebbear’s Devil’s Stone
If you’re a history buff, a fan of folklore, or simply in search of a good story, Shebbear’s Devil’s Stone is well worth a visit. The village itself is quaint, with Devon’s natural beauty all around, and the sense that you’re stepping into a different time – one where a rock might just hold back the devil himself. The annual stone-turning event may be subtle, but it’s rich with tradition, and for a village like Shebbear, it’s a reminder of the importance of community, ritual, and, just maybe, a little bit of supernatural insurance.
So, this November, while the rest of England is setting off fireworks and toasting to the thwarting of Guy Fawkes, consider heading to Shebbear, where the devil himself is the one under threat – and where the quiet turn of a stone is all it takes to keep him in line. Or so the villagers say.
