Welcome to Ellen Vannin, the shrouded and mysterious Isle of Man. On todays adventure we travel further than ever before, across the Irish Sea in search of Fynoderees, Bugganes and of course the Good Folk, we hear tales of famous witches whose echoes would reach around the world, fairy hills that can swallow you whole, ancient wells and saintly thieves and of course a little bit about the Bee Gees. Expect phantoms, motorbikes and the rise of a sea god. Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
Jul 01, 2025•2 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 25
On todays show we go looking for the Straw Bear of Whittlesea, an annual winter custom set deep in the Cambridgeshire Fenlands. No one quite knows where the bear comes from or how it even began but we do know that it was banned in the 19th century as it was seen as a form of begging. A person or driver is wrapped completely in Straw, head to toe, and danced around the town to celebrate Plough Monday. After the revival it's now seen as something of enormous pride for the local population, bringin...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 24
On todays Druid filled episode we find ourselves amongst the sacred hawthorns of Primrose Hill celebrationg Lughnasadh wit the Primrose Hill Loose Association of Druids. An order that can trace its roots back to Lolo Morganwg and the birth of modern Druidism Song, wine, poetry, home made quiche, we've got it all, so join us as we turn the wheel of the year once again. We hear stories from modern practitioners of Wicca, Druidry, Heathenism, Sharmism and many other pagan faiths and beliefs that en...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Greetings seekers of the strange and unusual. A veritable literary feast awaits you weary traveller amongst the forgotten henges of northern England. Today, we find ourselves in the most estimable company of author and connoisseur of all things that go bump in the night Mark Valentine, and Ray Russell, Tartarus press co owner, writer and musician. Together we explore the fields of furrows, the henges and barrows and, of course, writers. We delve into the magical and mysterious works of Arthur Ma...
Mar 25, 2025•2 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In todays winter celebration of an episode we explore the glorious Welsh tradition of the Mari Lwyd. She is a skull covered in the ribbons of a bride, The Grey Mare, or Holy Mary. She is many things, she is neither dead nor alive, if you're cold then she's cold. Down the cold dark back streets of London's Kings Cross a warm welcome awaits. Every year to celebrate the end of winter the Mari Lwyd makes her rounds of the local pubs ready to sing and have a rap battle as only a horses skull in a shr...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In todays monster episode we explore the world of cryptids and mythical beings. In the very capable hands of Richard Freeman and Jackie we discuss the exorcism of Loch Ness, the British Bigfoot, the Cornish Owlman and a whole host of other strange and extraordinary creatures that lurk within the British countryside and that sometimes make their way into our towns. Talking dogs, horned cats, goblins and dragons you'll also never look at a crab the same way again. The incredible Actor and Poet Cai...
Jan 28, 2025•2 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 20
On todays final show of 2024 we take a long walk on the moor with writer and gentleman Jeremy Dyson. We first head to Ripon to witness the supposed longest surviving continuous folklore practice in the world, The Ripon Hornblower, and find out more about this extraordinary custom. We grab our walking boots and head up Ilkely Moor, with dark tales of alien encounters and cannibals that lurk amongst the boulders. We discuss ghostly encounters on the dark moor as well as Jeremy being not only one f...
Dec 31, 2024•2 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Today we unearth a hidden corner of London as we creep around the frozen docks and inky darkness of Limehouse. In the 16th to the 18th century the area of Limehouse became synonymous as a melting pot of folklore and people as the docks brought stories, superstitions and strange new cultures. It had its own Golem wandering the abandoned warehouses and dockyards, it had the sensational tales of Thomas Burke who wrote of opium dens and backstreet murders even Blur's Damon Albarn invoked the spirit ...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In todays episode of FolkLands we delve into the world of spirit as we explore some of the stranger Inns, hostelries and public houses of London. From the 'hanging' breakfasts of Newgate, the bombed charnel house of St. Brides and the trap doors of Sweeney Todds barber shop we sink beneath the streets of London to reveal its dark, spooky and inglorious heart. Expect plague pits, Ostriches, dungeons and headless phantoms galore. Enjoy, and a Happy Halloween to you all! Hosted on Acast. See acast....
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In todays episode we explore the dark, dusty and mysterious world of books. Those weird, rare, and legendary forgotten tomes that have been Justin and I’s lifelong passion and obsession. We delve into Victorian spirit photography, the extraordinary and intoxicating work of Ithell Colquhoun, books of dangerous occult magic, of herbal folklore, and those of rare and exquisite beauty. A huge thank you to everyone at Peter Harrington for having us pour through there groaning shelves. And the brillia...
Sep 30, 2024•2 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 16
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, a herbalist, a catholic, or simply a woman who decided to her live her life the way she wanted to a...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 58 min•Season 1Ep. 15
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 Bannister from Sheffield University. Our readings this week come from the wonderful Matt Horne who t...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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 Oxfordshire, to explore their occult history and its colourful relationship with ceremonial magician William G...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Season 1Ep. 13
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 Rebus, reads form George MacDonalds 'The Princess & The Goblin.' Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast....
May 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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.
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 50 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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 Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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 of The White Worm.' Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 27, 2024•2 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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 get lost down country lanes and stumble into hidden ponds. And the brilliant Craig Parkinson reads fro...
Jan 30, 2024•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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.
Jan 01, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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 to Mistly pond where Hopkins began his horrendous persecutions and 'swam' the alleged witches, and sp...
Dec 26, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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 days ago. We are joined by the brilliant Ruth Connell who reads from 'The Prophecies of Mother Ship...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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, Outlander, Upstart Crow, Paddington ) and Justin Chubb (co-star and creator of Sky Atlantic’s This is Jinsy ). Fi...
Nov 01, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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 by Tim Downie ( Toast of London, Outlander, Upstart Crow, Paddington ) and Justin Chubb (co-star and cre...
Oct 31, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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 haunted locations of the British Isles. Hosted by Tim Downie ( Toast of London, Outlander, Upstart Crow, Paddi...
Oct 01, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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 London, Outlander, Upstart Crow, Paddington ) and Justin Chubb (co-star and creator of Sky Atlantic’s This is Jinsy )...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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 are all touched on with ghoulish glee. Hosted by Tim Downie ( Toast of London, Outlander, Upstart Crow, Padd...
Aug 08, 2023•22 min
