Haldon, Devon, England
Lidwell Chapel
Lidwell Chapel
Lidwell Chapel, which was founded in the 13th century, survives as a ruin on Little Haldon. In the early 14th century, the hermit Robert de Middlecote used it as a base for robbing and murdering travellers. The building contains a holy well, which is now badly eroded.
According to legend, the well is said to be bottomless. The church and well is reputedly haunted by what locals call the Mad Monk - none other than Robert de Middlecote. Once a caring monk who was driven mad by the solitude, he murdered and robbed unwary travellers then threw the corpses down the well. Perhaps he is still intent on continuing his unholy mission in death...
For further information, please read Haunted Britain by Antony D. Hippisley Coxe.
Location
Visitor Information
The Haldon Hills, usually known simply as Haldon, is a ridge of high ground in Devon, England.
It is situated between the River Exe and the River Teign and runs northwards from Teignmouth, on the coast, for about 15 miles until it dwindles away north west of Exeter at the River Yeo, just south of Crediton.
Pictured left are the ruins of Lidwell Chapel courtesy of David Gearing. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
