FolkLands

In todays episode we are tracking down the elusive and often misunderstood witch of Leicester. Black Annis. Local tales tell of her blue skin and liking for stealing away children should they stray into her lair then skinning them to add to her dress, her bower strewn with bones. Or is this not quite as true as we were had to believe, could she have been an anchorite nun living alone in the woods,...

On this weeks episode we explore the folklore that was part of the best years of our lives, or so they say, Playground lore. From marbles and jacks, to tag and skipping, kicking and kissing whilst not forgetting all the ghost and ghouls that roam the back of the design area, we explore it all with the help of the Opie archive and the brilliant and playful Julia Bishop, Yinka Olusoga and Catherine...

In today's episode we go stone bothering. We begin in Leicester with the now largely forgotten Wishing Stone of Bradgate Park, a large granite menhir overlooking the babbling River Lin. We then go on the hunt for one of the most cursed stones of these ancient lands, the Humberstone, now terrifyingly placed between a KFC and a Halfords. We end with a pilgrimage to the Rollright Stones of Oxfordshir...

On today's episode we explore everything from 1970s top secret nuclear bunkers to Tolkein's mines of Moria. Phil 'The Tunnel Inspector' Catling takes us down the rabbit hole stopping off in Alan Garner's Brisingaman via Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising. Expect dystopian futures, ancient barrows, sigils of lost civilisations and darkening skies. Also the brilliant Rik Rankin, star of Outlander and Reb...

In todays episode we delve into the dark tunnels and shadowy corners of the underworld. First we are in the lime caves of Dorking for tales of robbers and dark forgotten secrets, we then head over to Chislehurst where Roman, Saxon and Druidic tunnels lead us down into the depths of a blood soaked past. Beware what lies beneath! Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In todays episode we go rummaging through the undergrowth to explore the amazing world of Plant with the brilliant Roy Vickery. We discover how Ivy is good for trousers, bramble is lucky for cows and why you must always sit in a hawthorn tree. Roy can be found at his website plant-lore.com And the very wonderful Sophie Skelton reads from A WItch's Guide to Gardening by Dorothy Jacob. Enjoy! Hosted...

On todays show we explore the mysterious Knucker, blood thirsty water serpents unique to Sussex who are said to live in bottomless wells and attack villagers. Expect totem poles, jam and a truly horrific ending to Red Riding Hood. We talk to the brilliant Dr Paul Quinn, Director of Folklore and Fairy Tales at Chichester University and the wonderful Matthew Lewis reads from Bram Stokers 'The Lair o...

In todays episode we explore two of the most infamous buildings in England! First up is the most haunted house in England, the extremely eerie Borley Rectory and then we zip over to Polstead to explore The Murder in the Red Barn, scene of one of the most horrific and brutal crimes in English criminal history, but what came after is even worse. We are joined by the wonderful Edward Parnell as we ge...

In part two we are joined by musician Laura Cannell. We explore her unique ancient folk inspired music that she creates with the violin overbow and double recorders. We talk fairy rings, witch eggs and groaning stones. Enjoy and a very happy new year to you all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On todays episode we find ourselves out on the liminal shores of the hook of Essex, the very heart of Witch Country in search of Matthew Hopkins, The Witchfinder General. We are joined by author and poet AK Blakemore who takes us through the her haunts of Manningtree and Mistley in the footsteps of the witches. We also find 'Old Knobbly' in a rather spooky wood in the dead of night. We then head t...

Today we explore omens, dark prophecies and portents of doom! We begin in the Buckinghamshire village of Naphill to discover the infamous death warnings that terrified the villagers in the 1940s. Then on to Dancer's End for a rather unexpected and uplifting experience. Finally we duck beneath the branches of Wendover Wood where sightings of an enormous black cat have been seen as recently as three...

In part two we cross the river styx and enter Dashwood's living hell! We then dash cross country and find ourselves in the mysterious bell cave of Royston. We discover Druids, Anchorites and long lost skulls. Enjoy FolkLands is an audio adventure into the weird and forgotten folklore, myths, mysteries and haunted locations of the British Isles. Hosted by Tim Downie ( Toast of London...

This week in a two part special we are going underground to explore the mystery and allure of the dark. Caves, tunnels, dark corners and eerie goings on. Today we visit the legendary Hellfire Caves of West Wycombe and encounter bats, ballrooms and Baboons. FolkLands is an audio adventure into the weird and forgotten folklore, myths, mysteries and haunted locations of the British Isles. Hosted...

Today we delve into giants and dragonslayers by travelling deep into Hertfordshire to the sleepy village of Brent Pelham with author Christopher Hadley. We also discover an ancient Bronze Age barrow behind an Asda in Stevenage and the brilliant Simon Pegg reads Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky! Enjoy. FolkLands is an audio adventure into the weird and forgotten folklore, myths, mysteries and haunt...

Tim and Justin head to Hereford this week to explore some recently discovered Witch Marks and protection symbols of an ancient church. We also wander the hills and unearth an ancient healing well deep in the Malvern's. FolkLands  is an audio adventure into the weird and forgotten folklore, myths, mysteries and haunted locations of the British Isles. Hosted by  Tim Downie  ( Toast of...

FolkLands  is an audio adventure into the weird and forgotten folklore, myths, mysteries and haunted locations of the British Isles. In this opening bonus episode we introduce our selves and what we will be exploring in the coming series. Bricked up rooms, witches, glimpses of the future, the enduring terror and pleasure of the Ladybird Horror Series and the spirit of dark and lonely water ar...