Bones of 1,500 People Found Just Below Devon High Street
A shocking discovery reveals the remains of 1,500 individuals beneath a busy Devon town’s high street, hidden from unsuspecting visitors.
Barnstaple, Devon, St Anne’s Chapel, History, Ghost Walks
Barnstaple: You won’t believe what’s hiding under the high street! Just below the busy shops and cafes, there’s a pretty creepy secret.
Right in the heart of town, St Anne’s Chapel sits quietly on Paternoster Row. It’s a charming little spot that’s turned into a community hub, but it has a dark past.
Most folks walking by have no clue about the grim history beneath their feet. Turns out, around 1,500 bodies are buried just inches below the surface!
There are gravestones scattered around the chapel, some leaning awkwardly, all to keep the remains in place. Local historian Susan Pengelly shared this spooky info.
She’s got a wealth of knowledge and even runs ghost walks around Barnstaple, showing off the town’s haunted spots filled with history.
According to Susan, this was the only burial site in town until the mid-1800s. She said, “There are over 1,500 bodies crammed in the ground. People were tripping over bones sticking out!”
And it gets weirder! Bodily fluids from the graves were seeping into the local wells, which were used to brew beer. The locals were not happy about that, so they built walls to contain the situation.
Despite its eerie past, the chapel is a lovely building and is open for visits every Thursday. It’s had a makeover since 2012 and now hosts arts events, but the ground floor still has that spooky vibe.
People believe this area was used as a tomb or a charnel house, where bones from later burials were stored. It’s a fascinating yet chilling part of Barnstaple’s history!