Curious Britain

In 19th century England it seemed that having a distinctive moustache was risky, as chemist Adolf Beck found out to his misfortune. At the time, eyewitness descriptions of criminals were accepted as fact, in a world without DNA and the scientific advances we now rely on. How was Beck mistaken for a conman who, except for his moustache, didn’t really look like him at all?

💡 Support us on Patreon Enjoying Curious Britain? Support the podcast on Patreon and enjoy audio-only, ad-free episodes. Your support helps us continue exploring Britain's most intriguing history, mysteries and folklore. https://www.patreon.com/CuriousBritainPodcast

💰 Make a one-off contribution Every little bit helps! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/curiousbritain

🔎Interested in historic true crime? Check out our other podcast, Prash’s Murder Map https://www.youtube.com/@prashsmurdermap

 🙏 Thank You! Your support means the world to us and helps keep the show alive. We truly appreciate it!

Sources: ·
Arkowitz, Hal & Lilienfeld, Scott, 2010, “Why science tells us not to rely on eyewitness accounts”,

Scientific American Mind, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-the-eyes-have-it/  

Futility Closet Podcast, Episode 165: A Case of Mistaken 

Identity https://www.futilitycloset.com/2017/08/14/podcast-episode-165-case-mistaken-identity/

The Evening Times, December 24, 1909

The Sun, May 31, 1914, “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle a detective in real life” https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1914-05-31/ed-1/seq-47/#date1=1789&index=8&rows=20&words=Adolph+Beck&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1924&proxtext=Adolph+Beck&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

Wikipedia, Court of Criminal Appeal, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_Criminal_Appeal   ·      Wikipedia, “George Edalji” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Edalji

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran

Few birds are as quintessentially British as the humble pigeon, but at best, they’re seen as comical, at worst, as vermin. But did you know that pigeons served as daring message carriers in the World Wars? In this episode, we’ll explore the contributions of these noble and under-appreciated birds who risked their lives to carry top-secret messages to the front-line in all weather conditions, frequently coming under fire.

Operation Turtle Dove: https://www.operationturtledove.org
Check out Penny's Pigeon Aid at https://www.pennyspigeonaid.com — a wonderful organisation dedicated to improving pigeon welfare through education and awareness. 

Music:

"March of the Spoons" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sources:
https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/homing-pigeons-contributions-world-war-2 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17138990 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11400814 https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-incredible-carrier-pigeons-of-the-first-world-war https://www.rpra.org/pigeons-in-war/ https://www.rpra.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/national-pigeon-service.pdf https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/animal-awards-programme/pdsa-dickin-medal/gi-joe https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/poultry-101/heroic-pigeons-in-world-war-ii/ https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/poultry-101/the-sport-of-racing-pigeons/ https://www.onekindplanet.org/animal/pigeon/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-62362307 https://www.gchq.gov.uk/information/pigeon-takes-secret-message-grave https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/british-army-entrusted-its-secrets-birdbrains   https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/1760047/winkie-broughty-ferry-homing-pigeon/ https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/british-army-entrusted-its-secrets-birdbrains “Birds”, Collins Gem British Birds: A Pocket Guide

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran

Hampton-on-Sea, a once-thriving Kent village, now lies beneath the waves—forgotten by time but not by history. Among its final residents was Detective Inspector Edmund Reid, famed for his role in the Jack the Ripper investigation. As the sea devoured homes, Reid waged a desperate, good-humoured battle to save his own. But could anything stand against nature’s relentless march? Join me, Prash, on Curious Britain as we uncover the lost village swallowed by the tide.


💡 Support us on Patreon
Enjoying Curious Britain? Help us keep the show going by joining us on Patreon. Your support allows us to keep exploring Britain’s most intriguing stories. https://www.patreon.com/CuriousBritainPodcast

💰 Make a one-off contribution
Every little bit helps! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/curiousbritain

🙏 Thank You!
Your support means the world to us and helps keep the show alive. We truly appreciate it!



Sources:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/mystery-heartbreaking-remains-drowned-village-27041964 https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/hampton-sea-drowned-herne-bay-6321829 http://www.abandonedcommunities.co.uk/hampton.html

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran

Fraud, deception, a striking red cloak, and a crashed car on a lonely Welsh clifftop road. What was the enigmatic story behind this curious little-known incident, and why is this spot still known as “Violet’s Leap” today?

💡 Support us on Patreon Enjoying Curious Britain? Support the podcast on Patreon and enjoy audio-only, ad-free episodes. Your support helps us continue exploring Britain's most intriguing history, mysteries and folklore. https://www.patreon.com/CuriousBritainPodcast

💰 Make a one-off contribution Every little bit helps! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/curiousbritain

🔎Interested in historic true crime? Check out our other podcast, Prash’s Murder Map https://www.youtube.com/@prashsmurdermap

 🙏 Thank You! Your support means the world to us and helps keep the show alive. We truly appreciate it!


Sources:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/welsh-woman-who-stole-2m-24779142 https://www.welshcountry.co.uk/january-1909-the-motor-car-mystery/
Magazine Echo, 2 October 1954, British Newspaper Archive

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran

If you shoot a ghost that’s been frightening people to death, is it against the law? This could be one of the strangest murder defences in history, when Francis Smith armed himself with a pistol and went in search of the ghoulish apparition that was haunting Hammersmith in 1804.

💡 Support us on Patreon
Enjoying Curious Britain? Help us keep the show going by joining us on Patreon. Your support allows us to keep exploring Britain’s most intriguing stories. https://www.patreon.com/CuriousBritainPodcast

💰 Make a one-off contribution
Every little bit helps! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/curiousbritain

 🙏 Thank You!
Your support means the world to us and helps keep the show alive. We truly appreciate it!


Sources:
https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18040111-79?text=Francis%20Smith
Hull Packet, 17 January 1804
London Courier and Evening Gazette, 9 January 1804
The Lore of the Land by Westwood & Simpson

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran

Think modern fads are strange? Try the Georgian craze for having a hermit living in your back garden. Let’s explore this forgotten trend which saw a spate of advertisements for people to spend seven years living on country estates without washing or cutting their hair, while dispensing contemplative words of wisdom to visitors.


💡 Support us on Patreon
Enjoying Curious Britain? Help us keep the show going by joining us on Patreon. Your support allows us to keep exploring Britain’s most intriguing stories. https://www.patreon.com/CuriousBritainPodcast

💰 Make a one-off contribution
Every little bit helps! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/curiousbritain

 🙏 Thank You!
Your support means the world to us and helps keep the show alive. We truly appreciate it!


Music:
"March of the Spoons" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sources:
Campbell, Gordon, “The Hermit in the Garden: From Imperial Rome to Ornamental Gnome”
London Courier and Evening Gazette, 10 April 1829
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ornamental-hermits-were-18th-century-englands-must-have-garden-accessory-180982469/https://www.historicmysteries.com/ornamental-hermit

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran

Did you know there’s a replica of the famous Colosseum of Rome in Scotland? Let’s find out where it came from, who built it, and why, in this episode of Curious Britain.

💡 Support us on Patreon Enjoying Curious Britain? Support the podcast on Patreon and enjoy audio-only, ad-free episodes. Your support helps us continue exploring Britain's most intriguing history, mysteries and folklore. https://www.patreon.com/CuriousBritainPodcast

💰 Make a one-off contribution Every little bit helps! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/curiousbritain

🔎Interested in historic true crime? Check out our other podcast, Prash’s Murder Map https://www.youtube.com/@prashsmurdermap

 🙏 Thank You! Your support means the world to us and helps keep the show alive. We truly appreciate it!


Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCaig%27s_Tower

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/mccaigs-tower-p255141
 
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/oban/mccaigstower/index.html

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran

We explore the cryptic inscription on a stone slab which hints at the terror wrought by a boggart in the village of Longridge, Lancashire. Many people in the area have reported tales over the centuries of apparitions, misfortune, and mischievous invisible forces, which are often blamed on the local boggarts. One man was even chased by a headless figure down a dark lane on his way home at night…


💡 Support us on Patreon Enjoying Curious Britain? Support the podcast on Patreon and enjoy audio-only, ad-free episodes. Your support helps us continue exploring Britain's most intriguing history, mysteries and folklore. https://www.patreon.com/CuriousBritainPodcast

💰 Make a one-off contribution Every little bit helps! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/curiousbritain

🔎Interested in historic true crime? Check out our other podcast, Prash’s Murder Map https://www.youtube.com/@prashsmurdermap

 🙏 Thank You! Your support means the world to us and helps keep the show alive. We truly appreciate it!

Sources:
Westwood & Simpson, “The Lore of the Land: A Guide to England’s Legends”, 2005, Penguin Books 
https://ludchurchmyblog.wordpress.com/places-further-afield/the-boggart-stone/ https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Boggart https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/homes-and-gardens/places-to-live/22628672.lancashires-fairy-folklore/#:~:text=The%20headless%20boggart%20of%20Longridge,It%20was%20hers https://www.spookyisles.com/boggart-headless-lady/ https://from-bedroom-to-study.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-latter-day-legends-of-devilish-dogs.html

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran

Disguises, sword fights, kidnapping, and a band of 17th century rogues – they’re all here in this eventful episode of Curious Britain, as we explore this historic attempt to purloin every thief’s dream target…The Crown Jewels.

💡 Support us on Patreon Enjoying Curious Britain? Support the podcast on Patreon and enjoy audio-only, ad-free episodes. Your support helps us continue exploring Britain's most intriguing history, mysteries and folklore. https://www.patreon.com/CuriousBritainPodcast

💰 Make a one-off contribution Every little bit helps! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/curiousbritain

🔎Interested in historic true crime? Check out our other podcast, Prash’s Murder Map https://www.youtube.com/@prashsmurdermap

 🙏 Thank You! Your support means the world to us and helps keep the show alive. We truly appreciate it!



Sources:
Charles River Editors, “The Mysterious British Isles: A Collection of Mysteries, Legends, and Unexplained Phenomena across Britain and Ireland”, Kindle Edition. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Blood https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/The-Theft-of-the-Crown-Jewels/
https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/Trails/the-crown-jewels
https://cdn.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/education/thomas-blood.pdf

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran

Did a 15th century witch who lived in a remote North Yorkshire cave really predict the rise and fall of monarchs, world wars, planes, and even the internet? Some people think so, and even today tourists flock to visit Mother Shipton’s cave in Knaresborough, tucked away in an otherworldly forest next to a magic well which can turn items into stone. But who was Mother Shipton really, and is there any truth in her mysterious prophecies?

💡 Support us on Patreon Enjoying Curious Britain? Support the podcast on Patreon and enjoy audio-only, ad-free episodes. Your support helps us continue exploring Britain's most intriguing history, mysteries and folklore. https://www.patreon.com/CuriousBritainPodcast

💰 Make a one-off contribution Every little bit helps! If you'd like to make a one-time donation, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/curiousbritain

🔎Interested in historic true crime? Check out our other podcast, Prash’s Murder Map https://www.youtube.com/@prashsmurdermap

 🙏 Thank You! Your support means the world to us and helps keep the show alive. We truly appreciate it!

Sources:
https://www.mothershipton.co.uk
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclopedia/10456/
The Strange and Wonderful History of Mother Shipton Plainly Setting Forth Her Prodigious Birth, Life, Death, and Burial, with an Exact Collection of All Her Famous Prophecys, More Compleat than Ever Yet before Published, and Large Explanations, Shewing How They Have All along Been Fulfilled to This Very Year. London: Printed for W.H. and sold by J. Conyers, 1686.

Created by Prash and Melissa Ganendran