Barely noticeable, Witches’ Stones are flat stones jutting from chimneys in houses and mills in the southwest and on the Channel islands.

According to folklores, these small ledges were used by witches to rest on as they fly to their sabbaths (a purported gathering of those believed to practice witchcraft and other rituals). Householders would provide these platforms to appease witches and avoid their ill favors.  Millers would have them to stop unhappy witches from turning their grain bad and Trevillett Mill is no exception.

Such witches’ stones can be seen protruding from many older houses. The practical origin of this architectural feature was thought to protect thatched roofs from seeping water running down the sides of the chimney stack. Because thatched roofs were thicker than tiled roofs, the jutting stones would sit snugly on the thatch. When thatch began to be generally replaced by pantiles, and later by slates, the witches’ stones were left protruding prominently from the chimney stack. 

This either gave rise to the belief in witches’ resting places, or reinforced an existing belief. Fear of witches was widespread in country areas well into the 20th century and North Cornwall in particular, has a strong tradition of witchcraft.

The force of this tradition can be seen in a number of newly constructed houses in Cornwall that sport witches’ stones despite never having had a thatched roof.

Southern facing chimney on Trevillett Mill with three ‘Witches Stones’ visible.