We conclude our round-up of the Lorefolk's favourite moments from 2025. Now is a time to reflect on man-eating horses, saucy giants and islands that definitely aren't potatoes. No one who remembers The Amazing Journey of 1607 will be surprised to learn that the episode about "the pinnace" made it to the top five. Or eight.

The Disappearing Diplomat

Scareships and the Headless Cyclist - LIVE!

Albina or the Origin of Giants with Tales of Britain and Ireland

Pluckley, the Hauntedest Village

Prince Edward, Island

The Witch That Wasn't with Willow Winsham

The Amazing Journey, 1607

Spring Heeled Jack with Edy Hurst

⁠Join us LIVE in Leicester on the 7th February 2026 (2026)!⁠

Many thanks to our editors over the last year, Joe and Laurence.

And thanks again to the Lorefolk!

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It's time for the annual Loremen misunderstanding of how countdowns work! We've selected the top ten* moments from 2025, as voted for by the Lorefolk.

Part 1 of this year's Almanac is more of a Jamesmanac, as Shakeshaft delivers hit after hit. Roman robots! Man-faced pigs! Two Jesuses?

The featured episodes are:

* Actually fifteen.

Join us LIVE in Leicester on the 7th February 2026 (2026)!

Thanks to our editors over the year, Joe and Laurence.

And thanks to you, the lovely Lorefolk!

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It's PIIIIIIIIGMAAAAAS! James and Alasdair are joined by multi-award-having comedian Daisy Earl. We make merry with the legend of a boozy Mancunian pig named Polly, and the Scottish fairy tale of Whuppity Stoorie. (The latter of which bears a strong resemblance to the more famous tale of old... you know... Rumple-whatshisname.)

Follow Daisy!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See Alasdair On Tour in 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Laurence Hisee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Who is that, judging me from afar? Why it's the Man-Faced Pigs of Brussels (Wisconsin), the pickiest swine the Loreboys have encountered to date!

With a sprinkling of Christmas Pig magic, here is a festive little tale to warm you from your snout right down to your curly, curly tail.

⁠⁠⁠⁠See Alasdair On Tour in 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Laurence Hisee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Long Hanborough? Home of the Oxford Bus Museum?

Yes! THAT Long Hanborough. And once you've listened to this episode, you'll know it for more than being home to the Spice Girls' bus from Spice World (1997). You'll know it for containing a spooky cottage with a particularly busy poltergeist.

⁠⁠⁠⁠See Alasdair On Tour in 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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You know what they say: if you remember Finstock, you've been to West Oxfordshire. Here we discover a wealth of ghosts from James's old stomping ground. There's a 1990s spectre, an 1800s preacher and a 39000s (BCE) neanderthal. Plus, a truly chilling lady ghost whose beckoning hands can only be seen by children. Pop on your body warmers... now!

⁠⁠⁠See Alasdair On Tour in 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Laurence Hisee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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James dives back into the well of Cornish lore and surfaces with story of undying love - and a chilling counterpart to last week's tale. It's a case of Till Death Us Don't Part in the legend of Sarah Polgrain and Yorkshire Jack, whose marriage vows echoed beyond the grave.

Plus, a lovely handful of teeth.

⁠⁠See Alasdair On Tour in 2026!⁠⁠⁠

Edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Laurence Hisee⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sure, this starts with a derailment. But a derailment BY Alasdair? What crazy mixed up episode is this?

Well, most of it is a classic ghost story from Cornwall. Featuring a fast-thinking blacksmith, a humble servant, a burst horse and a bit of magick.

⁠⁠See Alasdair On Tour in 2026!⁠⁠

Edited by ⁠⁠⁠Laurence Hisee⁠⁠⁠

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Prussia, 1809. An Englishman named Benjamin Bathurst vanishes without leaving a trace. Apart from his trousers. And his cloak. And possibly his skull. Who is behind this baffling disappearance? A local hoodlum, a French comte, or Napoleon Bonaparte himself?

This cold case has remained unsolved for over two centuries. Until now! Because James has a theory NO ONE has considered before.

(Maybe a horse ate him.)

⁠See Alasdair On Tour in 2026!⁠

Edited by ⁠⁠Laurence Hisee⁠⁠

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The boys discover a peculiar cult boasting not one, but two Jesuses. Yowzah! Must be pretty awkward at Christmas. James whisks Alasdair off to the commune of the Agapemonites: a scandalous Victorian sect nestled in the sauciest region of Somerset. (Well, a few miles north of Taunton.)

There's a little extra spice in the mix, because James has noticed that the word "sects" sounds a bit rude.

See Alasdair On Tour in 2026!

Edited by ⁠Laurence Hisee⁠

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