Highwayman Inn
Prepare yourself, if you dare, for a journey to the Higgledy-Piggledy Pub, a place where the veil between worlds feels delightfully thin.
Step into this charmingly peculiar establishment, where three rooms are not merely rooms, but caverns of curiosities, each crammed to the rafters with an unsettling array of anything and everything. You might feel a shiver down your spine as you navigate the dining room, for it's eerily reminiscent of a creaking ship's galley, perhaps one that sailed through spectral seas.
But fear not, for even in this house of oddities, a most comforting feast awaits. Indulge in their homemade pie and chips, a hearty offering to steady your nerves, washed down with a selection of chillingly good beers.
Should you crave further peculiar adventures, just across the road, lurking in the shadows of history, you'll discover a 10 AD Christian stone, a silent sentinel from a bygone era. And for those with a taste for the uncanny, a circular walk beckons, promising twists and turns both literal and perhaps, supernatural.
It's no wonder this place has been hailed as one of the Strangest Pubs in Britain – a truly unusual and quirky haunt where every corner holds a whisper of the wonderfully weird.
P&P
Walk through coming soon
Background....
A Journey Through Time: The Storied History of The Highwayman Inn
The Highwayman Inn in Sourton, a landmark nestled on the fringes of Dartmoor, boasts a history as rich and unconventional as its famously eccentric architecture. From its humble beginnings as a 13th-century coaching inn to its present-day status as a celebrated local treasure, the inn has witnessed centuries of change, conflict, and creative vision.
Originally established in 1282, the inn served as a vital resting point for travellers and their horses navigating the wild and often perilous terrain of Dartmoor. Over the centuries, it adapted to the needs of the time, functioning not just as an inn but also as a farm and a central hub for the local community. In a bygone era, it was known by different names, including the "Golden Fleece" and later the "New Inn," a somewhat ironic title for a building of such ancient origins.
The most transformative chapter in the inn's long history began in 1958 when it was acquired by the charismatic duo, Buster and Rita Jones. They envisioned a public house that offered more than just a pint and a place to rest; they sought to create a truly immersive and fantastical experience. What was initially planned as a two-year project evolved into a lifelong passion, as they meticulously and imaginatively reshaped the inn's identity.
Buster, with his artistic flair and penchant for the unusual, was the driving force behind the inn's extraordinary aesthetic. He incorporated a plethora of salvaged and repurposed materials, each with its own story to tell. The inn's now-iconic entrance is famously fashioned from the body of an old stagecoach, a direct nod to its coaching past. Inside, visitors are greeted by a labyrinthine collection of curiosities, from parts of a shipwrecked whaling vessel and ancient agricultural tools to ecclesiastical artifacts and maritime memorabilia. The very fabric of the building tells a tale, with its nooks, crannies, and secret passages sparking the imagination of all who enter.
The inn's name itself is a product of this romantic vision. It was Rita who christened it "The Highwayman," inspired by the folklore of the dashing and dangerous figures who were once said to roam the moorlands. This name has become synonymous with the inn's unique character and its deep connection to the history and legends of Dartmoor.
Today, The Highwayman Inn remains in the Jones family, with their daughter and her husband continuing the legacy of her parents. It stands as a testament to their creative spirit and dedication, a beloved and quirky institution that continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of locals and tourists alike.
The inn is also renowned for its ghostly tales, with numerous reports of spectral sightings over the years, further cementing its place in the folklore of the region. These stories of resident spirits add another layer to the rich tapestry of history that envelops this remarkable and truly one-of-a-kind establishment.
