Norfolk Folklore Society

In this episode we settle down for a picnic in a church graveyard and chat about the many, many, many ghosts which haunt RAF Feltwell. We'd just finished a tour of No. 94 Maintenance Unit at Barnham which was a cold war nuclear bomb storage facility. It was so interesting, and we'd highly recommend a visit. But no ghosts so we picked a spooky alternative.

We are a bit late this month, sorry!! We also have a very chaotic guest so prepare yourself for weird noises, and slightly distracted conversations. But enough excuses! In this episode, we're talking all about Norfolk's saints. We explore the lives of some homegrown saints, those who visited the county, we chat about our favourite saints, and imagine what we might each be the patron saint...

In this episode we head back to South Norfolk for an unusual story. One that was collected by a local author and we think it has only ever shared in print once. Prepare yourself for some wild speculation on who, or what, might be following lone travellers along The Lowes.

In this episode, we dive into murky waters to compare Norfolk and Suffolk folklore with one of Universal Studios’ most iconic monsters: the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Stacia kicks things off with a synopsis of the 1954 classic, and from there we rummage through our archives to come up with some, admittedly tenuous, parallels between the Black Lagoon’s mysterious creature and East Anglia’s own...

In this episode on our theme of Hollywood Monsters, we’re unwrapping Mummies. Norfolk is linked to the most famous mummy of them all, but we've chatted about that before in episode 88. Today we discover a new-to-us local mummy story, a Norfolk Mummy which never came to Norfolk and we ask the important question: who exactly is Portland Bill? *Bit of a naughty swear right at the very end, but it...

In this episode we have a chat about werewolves and look for examples of werewolves popping up in Norfolk. We actually find quite a few stories! Also, sorry for the f-word. Siofra got over excited.

In this episode we discuss vampires of Norfolk. It may seem like an unlikely combo, but Norfolk has some surprising links to the classic monsters. It looks like this might be the start of a series...werewolves next!

It's the end of the year so we have a classic review of the year episode for your listening pleasure. Thank you all for sticking with for another year. We promise to get back to sharing podcasts every month. We've even got the January 2026 episode in the bag!

Finally, our live recording at the Bungay Black Shuck Festival 2025! We share an intriguing photo taken recently in Norfolk and we welcome special guests Anne and Tom. They share their absolutely amazing encounter with Black Shuck. Their storytelling and scene setting is just wonderful and it was an honour to have them on the podcast.

Recorded in the basement of The Holloway in Norwich, hidden beneath St Benedict’s Street, this episode was captured before a live audience, though we can’t promise it was only the living who joined us. We explore the rich history of the area and share eerie tales from the neighbouring street, including paranormal encounter on Exchange Street and Pottergate.

In this episode we explore the history and haunting of St Stephen's church in central Norwich. Expect dramatic music, Siofra saying "like" a lot (sorry about that) and what appears to be a pretty rare type of haunting.

Good morning from the Norfolk Folklore Society! This month, we’re handing the microphone over to you—our lovely loyal followers! That’s right, our latest podcast is dedicated entirely to your questions, and you had so many that we’ve had to split them into two – or maybe even three! - episodes. Your curiosity knows no bounds, and we love you for it. In this first part, we tackle some truly excelle...

Today’s podcast stars FAN OF THE PODCAST author Rob Parker, who has written an astonishing 25 books and has just released the first in a new series of crime novels set right here in Shuck’s Own County. If you buy The Troubled Deep, we suggest you head to the very end of the book, not to solve the mystery, but to read the effusive credit to the Norfolk Folklore Society. Rob contacted us several yea...

This month we have a good old chat about Twelfth Night and the Whittlesey Straw Bear. Mainly because they are both nice events coming up which we think you might like to go to. Stacia manages to make Siofra laugh at a joke and Siofra says "interesting" a lot.

Good morning from the Norfolk Folklore Society! Today we are (b)ringing you a feast of folklore all about BELLS. From the ghostly chime of drowned bells beneath the sea to the eerie toll of phantom bells in Norfolk bogs, we’ve jingled and jangled through history to unearth the most enchanting bell lore (basically, Siofra bought a book on bells and they appear to be folklore MAGNETS). It’s an ap-pe...

Today we are talking about a particularly sinister apparition that stalks the Norfolk countryside, namely the Old Man of Hopton, who haunts a section of road close to the coast. In the Winter edition of Lantern (the wonderful publication from the brilliant Lowestoft- based Borderline Science Investigation Group) in 1980, the tale of a Lowestoft man on the new A12 Hopton Bypass was reported.

In this episode we collect more accounts of Black Shuck encounters in Norfolk and Suffolk. The episode was recorded as part of Charlie Cooper's Myth Country, so welcome if you came across us from the Black Shuck episode. We hope you all enjoy this behind the scenes recording.  We wanted to add a special thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us. We loved having you on the show.

Today’s podcast is the NFS’s own version of the General Election and, as such, we get to the heart of a very pressing issue: whether a dog-headed monk or a monk-headed dog would be more terrifying to meet down a dark alley? For many years, the dog-headed monk/monk-headed dog conundrum has been our very own personal litmus test…but for the first time ever, our conviction that we knew the correct an...

In the atmospheric setting of England’s largest and most elaborate provincial medieval city hall, wonderful tales were woven about Norwich’s dark past. We joined forces with performer Laura Cannell to create a magical night filled with tales of ghosts and witchcraft, secret tunnels and dreadful murders linked to this distinctive building in the heart of Norwich. We had a lot of fun that night and...

In this episode Siofra and Stacia explore the tale of Melvena Spinks, and alleged witch from East Dereham. 

Join the Norfolk Folklore Society as we introduce author, illustrator and folklorist Helen JR Bruce who will be diving into the rich folklore and mythology surrounding Black Dogs. Cover illustration - Shuck Zine / Matt Willis

This month we have a chat about a very haunted house in Thorpe Marriott. Inspired by the new BBC documentary about the Amityville Horror house, we searched our archives and dug out one of our creepiest stories to discuss.

We were absolutely delighted to welcome Lucy Spirit and Rachel Duffield as our January speakers the Norfolk Heritage Centre at the Norwich Millennium Library. Rachel, who is an artist and costume marker, a historical reenactor and an incredible painter who spent years working for Norfolk Museums Service will be presenting the talk written by Lucy, a researcher, writer, open-minded sceptic and spoo...

Today’s podcast is about the Magical Sword of Winfarthing, the Excalibur of Norfolk which helped women rid themselves of terrible husbands (and find their lost horses) from the safety of their village church. We have plenty of sword play with a range of topics which see us discuss witchcraft, famous magical swords and why we can’t pronounce most of them, why the sword is associated with supernatur...

Our December 2023 talk was given by the wonderful Val Thomas. Val, a good friend of the Norfolk Folklore Society (she was the first ever speaker the NFS had at our monthly talks!), shared some recommendations for a magical Yule or Christmas dinner  with our guests. About Val: Val Thomas is a witch, a craftsperson, herbalist and a teacher. For more than a quarter of a century she has lived in Norwi...