Spooky UK

An island covered in 50 year old dolls that have deacayed over the years? It's a solid NOPE from us but The Island of The Dolls is a fascinating place. Join us for a quick snapshot into how the island came to be and let us now if you'd ever visit at [email protected]

Salt, Silver & Garlic: Protection or Pure Superstition?

From vampires recoiling at the sight of garlic to silver bullets bringing down werewolves and salt being used to ward off evil spirits, humans have been finding ways to protect themselves from the things that go bump in the night for centuries!

In today’s Spooktober episode, we’re exploring the fascinating history behind three of folklore’s most famous protective substances that you probably have at home.

We dig into ancient superstitions but we’re also looking at the science. Does salt really have protective properties? Can silver actually kill certain nasties (spoiler - yes) and is there more to garlic than keeping vampires at arm’s length? 😂

Tune in and find out…

This week we're diving headfirst into the Halloween movie franchise! From John Carpenter's iconic original to the sequels, reboots, retcons and downright questionable decisions, we're taking a look at the films that turned Michael Myers into one of horror's most recognisable killers.

Helen brings the questions while Martin brings the passion… and possibly a few strongly worded objections! Expect plenty of debate, some controversial rankings, and more than one rant!

Which films deserve their place in horror history, which ones should have stayed buried, and just how many times can Michael Myers come back from the dead?

Let us know if you agree at [email protected]

In today’s Spooktober episode, we’ve each put together our very own paranormal bucket list, the places we’d love to visit, investigate, or maybe even spend a very uncomfortable night in!

But have we picked the same locations? Are we drawn to the same kind of hauntings? And, perhaps most importantly… would either of us actually have the guts to stay the night?

Tune in and find out what made it onto our lists and see if your own paranormal bucket list looks anything like ours! Let us know at [email protected]

Who is Bloody Mary? A vengeful spirit, a forgotten woman, Queen Mary… or something our own minds have created?

In this Spooktober episode, we discuss one of the most famous mirror legends around, Bloody Mary. We look at where the legend may have come from, the different identities she’s been given over the years, and why so many versions of the story exist.

But then things get really interesting… because what actually happens when you stand in front of a mirror, in low light, staring at your own reflection for long enough? There’s some genuinely fascinating science behind why people can start seeing faces change, distort or even appear where there shouldn’t be one.

So turn the lights down and look into the mirror with us...or, you know....don't!

Sources:

https://www.hauntedrooms.co.uk/the-bloody-mary-legend

https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/illusion-chasers/locking-eyes-with-a-monster/

Why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky? In this mini bite episode, we’re heading back through history to uncover the origins of this infamous superstition, from ancient beliefs surrounding the number 13, to the significance of Friday, and one particularly dramatic day in 1307 involving the Knights Templar…

And, naturally, we have to settle the question that really matters:

Was Jason Voorhees created to rival Michael Myers on the second spookiest date in the calendar?

Should we have made this the first Spooktober episode? Probably but better late than never!

Today we’re going right back to the beginning and exploring the origins of Halloween, from the ancient festival of Samhain, through All Hallows’ Eve and the traditions that developed around the night, to the strange journey that eventually brought Halloween to the form we know today.

We’ll look at bonfires, spirits, costumes, the origins of trick-or-treating, and of course sharing what we love about the season.

So grab your pumpkin, turn the lights down low and join us as we take a look at the strange history behind one of the most popular nights of the year.

In today’s Spooktober episode, we’re digging into the strange, unsettling and sometimes downright grim stories that have become attached to some of our favourite nursery rhymes. From Ring a Ring o’ Roses to London Bridge Is Falling Down, we’re separating the genuine history from the myths, legends and wonderfully creepy theories that have grown up around them.

So, were these rhymes really hiding dark secrets in plain sight, or have we just spent centuries making perfectly innocent children’s songs sound terrifying?

Put the kettle on, settle in, and join us as we take a slightly darker look at the songs we were all taught as children…

Tonight’s Spooktober episode is a little different… and Martin has absolutely no idea what’s coming!

Helen has chosen several spooky locations and, without revealing where they are, she’s going to describe each one and ask the question:

Would Martin spend the night there?

Some sound creepy. Some sound downright terrifying. And some… well, you’ll have to listen to find out whether Martin would actually be brave enough to spend the night!

Think you’d be up for it? Listen along and decide whether you’d spend the night too…

https://www.hauntedrooms.co.uk/product/the-golden-fleece-pub-york

https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/buckingham-palace/

https://thewaverlyhillssanatorium.com/

https://hauntedhistorytours.com/blog/a-step-into-darkness-the-haunting-tale-of-the-lalaurie-mansion/

Why Do We Carve Pumpkins at Halloween? 🎃

Ever wondered why, every Halloween, we happily scoop the guts out of a perfectly good pumpkin and stick a terrifying face on it? 👀

Well, the tradition has a rather strange story behind it…

Tonight we’re taking a quick look at why we carve pumpkins at Halloween. We dip our toe into the legend of Stingy Jack, the miserly trickster who was said to have outwitted the Devil and ended up wandering the darkness with nothing but a hollowed out turnip to light his way.

From creepy carved turnips in Ireland and Scotland to the arrival of Jack O Lanterns in North America, we’re looking at how the humble Halloween pumpkin became one of the most recognisable symbols of the spooky season.

So grab your carving knife, save the pumpkin seeds… and try not to let Stingy Jack catch you in the dark.

Sources:

https://mythus.fandom.com

https://irishmyths.com