This Halloween, we created our own ghost walk around Dorchester, bringing along our partners and kids to explore the eerie local lore! Here are the spine-chilling stops we visited, each with a story from Dorchester's haunted history. Join us as we walk through these ghostly tales!

Maumbury Rings

Story by Ross

• The ancient grounds of Ghostly Romans and the legend of the Bleeding Phantom.

Antelope Walk

Story by Kate

• Tales of Judge Jeffreys sightings and the mysteries of Dorchester’s Haunted Tunnels.

Dorset Museum

Story by Caz

• The story of the Sobbing Lady, a spirit whose mournful presence lingers in the museum’s quiet halls.

Hangman’s Cottage

Story by Henry

• Henry tells the tale of the Drowned Prisoner’s vengeful spirit and the cottage’s grim history with the hangman himself.

The Town Pump

Story by David

• Sightings of the Faceless Boy near the old pump have spooked many over the years.

The Balti Express

Story by Becca

• Finally, the tragic tale of the Distraught Girl, a ghost said to haunt this unexpected place.

Walk Along With Us!

If you’re ever in Dorchester, you can follow the same route and listen along!

Here’s our route: Our Ghost Walk Route

Happy Hauntings! Listen if you dare.

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After a long summer break, the boys are back! In this episode, Ross and David take us on a journey to the mysterious Grey Mare and Her Colts, a megalithic chambered long barrow near Abbotsbury in Dorset. Built during the Early and Middle Neolithic periods, this ancient tomb holds secrets uncovered in the 19th century, including human remains and pottery fragments. The duo also visits the nearby Kingston Russell Stone Circle, also known as the Gorwell Circle.

Back at the Dark Darzet Studios, they’re joined by Henry to reflect on the field visit and dive into the folklore surrounding these two intriguing sites. They also catch up on some bizarre local news, including a new crop circle near Badbury Rings, the Neolithic burial site at Thomas Hardy’s former home in Dorchester, which was recently granted special protection as a scheduled monument on the advice of Historic England, and the temporary arrival of a second moon orbiting Earth.

All this, plus plenty of uninformed chatter, chaos, and fun as they return—now even less organized than ever!

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In this episode, David, Henry, and Ross embark on a journey between the imposing Corfe Castle and the idyllic coastal village of Studland. Along the way, they detour to uncover the shrouded secrets of Rempstone Stone Circle.

Nestled beneath a canopy of ancient holly and fir trees, the trio explores the weathered remains of this 4,000-5,000-year-old monument. Their exploration takes an unexpected turn as they encounter remnants of local tradition. They craft a symbolic "Green Man" offering and fling mud at a bewildered Ross.

Intrigued by the site's history, our intrepid hosts delve into local lore, unearthing whispers of magical rituals once performed by the infamous Aleister Crowley. Stay tuned for a discussion on whether "hung like a shew" is truly an insult or a peculiar compliment!

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Join Ross, David, and Henry for a chilling journey to Wareham, Dorset, where ancient traditions meet modern mysteries.

This episode delves into the intrigue of the Court Leet, a centuries-old legal system with eccentric roles like:

The Steward: The Lord's right-hand man, presiding over proceedings.

The Bailiff: Enacting the court's decisions.

The Reeve: The Bailiff's deputy.

Constable: Keeping order.

Carniters and Chimney Peeper: Ensuring the town's hygiene.

Scavenger: Battling unseen plagues in the town's alleys and privies.

But the darkness deepens with a recent ghost hunt in a local pub maybe linked to a shocking burglary at the historic church. Explosions rock the night as thieves make off with priceless treasures. Did they have spectral help, or is something more sinister at play?

Join the Dark Darzet crew as they:

Unravel the secrets of the Court Leet and its ghostly guardians.

Investigate the chilling ghost hunt and its paranormal encounters.

Piece together the clues behind the church burglary, a crime with explosive consequences.

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Join Ross, David and Henry as they delve into the fascinating history of Madien Castle, near Dorchester, (known as Durnovaria in Roman times), a town with a mysterious past.

Derived from the Celtic word "durnov", meaning "fist", Durnovaria was founded by the Romans in 60 AD. The name aptly reflects the landscape of the area, with fist-sized pebbles found in abundance.

The Romans established Durnovaria as their administrative center for the Durotriges tribe, a Celtic group that inhabited southwestern England. Conquered by the Romans in 43 AD, the Durotriges adapted to Roman rule, adopting their customs and practices, and continuing to reside in the region after the Romans left.

Maiden Castle, an Iron Age hillfort, stands as a testament to the Durotriges' ingenuity. Built for both defense and ceremonial purposes, it stands as one of the few surviving Roman temples in Britain.

West Dorset boasts numerous hill forts, each serving as a stronghold against invaders and a hub for trade.

Intriguingly, some locals claim to have witnessed UFO sightings in the skies above Dorchester. Additionally, a nuclear bunker lies beneath Poundbury, adding to the town's aura of mystery.

Join Ross David and Henry as they unravel the secrets of Durnovaria, a town steeped in history and intrigue.

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In this episode of the Dark Dorzet Podcast, Ross and David, along with their long-suffering partners, head to the infamous Dorchester Prison for a night of ghost hunting.

Dorchester Prison was a Category B men's prison located in Dorchester, Dorset, England. It was built in 1855 and closed in 2013. The prison was originally designed to house 200 inmates, but by the time it closed it was holding over 500.

The team used a variety of methods to try to contact the spirits of the prison's former inmates, including table tipping, Ouija boards, and processed robots.

Also, we hear more about Nigel's friend's ghost encounter.

Music and SFX provided by https://slip.stream and Audio jungle

https://www.mosthauntedexperience.com/dorchester-prison

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Ross and David visited Brownsea Island, a place with a rich and mysterious history. They learned about Mary Bonham-Christie, the eccentric woman who bought the island in 1927 and ordered the residents to leave. They also visited Maryland, a deserted village that was once home to hundreds of people.

Ross and David explored the island's hidden corners, searching for clues to its past. They discovered a dark side to Brownsea Island, a place where strange things have happened and secrets have been buried.

What mysteries does Brownsea Island hold? What happened to Mary Bonham-Christie? What secrets lie hidden in Maryland? Ross and David's visit to Brownsea Island is a journey into the unknown, where the past is still alive and the mysteries are waiting to be solved.

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The so-called "pirate graveyard" in Portland, Dorset, England is actually the graveyard of St Andrew's Church, which was destroyed by fire in 1665. The churchyard is located on the edge of Church Ope Cove, and it is said that some of the headstones and table tombs have skulls and crossbones carved on them, which has led to the legend that it is the final resting place of pirates. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, and it is more likely that the skull and crossbones were simply a common symbol of death at the time.

The graveyard is a popular tourist destination, and it is said to be haunted by the ghosts of pirates. There are also a number of other legends associated with the graveyard, including the story of a pirate who was buried alive, and the story of a young woman who was killed by a pirate.

Beer featured in this episode:

Hattie Browns - Crow Black

http://www.hattiebrownsbrewery.co.uk/craft-beers-hattie-browns-brewery-swanage/

Hawkstone

https://hawkstone.co/

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