DevilHidden
The Devil's Den
Water? Water?!
See it clearly
- What's there
- Sarsen capstone on uprights
- Legend from
- Local tradition
- Tone
- Humorous
Five oxen could not move the stone. The Devil sat outside, thirsty.
The Devil's Den is a group of great sarsen stones in Clatford Bottom near Fyfield, the remains of a Neolithic chambered tomb. Wessex Museums retells the Wiltshire tale that this was the Devil's own den, where he liked to drink by his fire. One day a stone blocked his way in, and he could not shift it even with five oxen. He did get a drink in the end by tricking a young man, but the man brought him only water, which the fiery Devil does not like at all. The Devil never has any luck, the museum adds, at least in stories.
One sourceOnly one written account of this legend has been found so far.