Quick warning: This episode covers some very disturbing and violent material, so viewer and listener discretion is advised.

From the moment a single spark of rebellion was ignited to the brutal and bloody final act, the Wyrdo's delve into the complete story of the Gunpowder Plot. We explore the historical and personal motivations behind one of England's most infamous conspiracies, following Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators on their journey from defiant plotters to hunted men.

In this episode, we're covering:

• A Daring Conspiracy: The desperate plan to blow up Parliament, hatched by a group of disillusioned Catholics and their determined leader, Robert Catsby.
• The Man Behind the Mask: The surprising life of Guy Fawkes, from his Protestant upbringing to his conversion and military career, and the horrific act of persecution that fueled his thirst for revolution.
• Betrayal and Discovery: The mysterious anonymous letter that revealed the plot, forcing the conspirators into a desperate flight for their lives.
• The Final Stand: The explosive climax at Holbeck House, the hunt for the surviving plotters, and their eventual capture and trial.
• The Horrific Sentence: The brutal fate of the conspirators, as we detail the full reality of being hanged, drawn, and quartered.
• A Wyrd Legacy: We explore the origins of the Bonfire Night tradition, the misunderstood "Penny for the Guy" ritual, and how Guy Fawkes has become an icon for modern rebels.
• Wyrd News: We discuss the strange, bizarre, and macabre stories from around the world.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quick warning: This episode covers some very disturbing and violent material, so viewer and listener discretion is advised.

In this special episode, the Wyrdo’s take a trip to the mystical town of Glastonbury to celebrate the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Craig and Andy explore the history of Samhain, its connection to modern Halloween, and the ancient folklore of the town. They visit sacred sites, interview a Dragon Herald, and end the episode with spooky stories and some truly bizarre weird news.

In this episode, we're covering:

• The Origins of Samhain: The history of the Celtic fire festival, its role as a time when the veil between worlds thins, and its connection to the cyclical nature of death and rebirth.
• A Glastonbury Field Trip: The hosts visit the heart of England's spiritual scene, exploring its history as an ancient marshy island and a modern hub for paganism and mysticism.
• Sacred Wells & The Holy Grail: A visit to the mystical White and Chalice Wells, and a look into the local legends of Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Grail.
• The Dragon Herald: An on-the-ground interview with Brad, the Dragon Herald of Glastonbury, about the town's unique Samhain festival and the battle of the dragons.
• King Arthur's Tomb: A look at the famous story of King Arthur's burial at Glastonbury Abbey and the hosts' skeptical take on the monks' opportune discovery.
• Ghosts & Hauntings: The history of the haunted George and Pilgrim pub, and the legends of its forlorn monk and mysterious lady.
• Pumpkin Carving & Poisoned Candy: A look at Halloween's most common injuries and a dark dive into the surprising origins of the "poisoned candy" myth.
• Weird News: A discussion on everything from a Guinness World Record for pumpkin paddling to a mystery winged creature at a zoo and a haunted coffee shop in Alabama.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Written and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wyrd Ouija

For this spooky Halloween special, the Wyrdo’s dive into one of the most famous tools of the paranormal—the Ouija board. Craig and Andy explore its history, its modern-day use, and the scary real-world stories associated with it. They even risk it all by conducting their own séance live on air, where they make contact with a benevolent spirit named "Bob."

In this episode, we're covering:

• Ouija's History & Hype: The board's origins as a parlor game, its popularity during the spiritualist movement, and its current reputation as a terrifying tool of the occult.
• The Science & Skepticism: The logical explanations behind the board's movements, including unconscious muscle movements and collective belief.
• Real-Life Horror Stories: A series of true crime cases where the Ouija board was used to justify murder and other dark deeds.
• The On-Air Séance: The hosts attempt to contact a spirit and make contact with a benevolent spirit named "Bob."
• Houdini's Legacy: The famous debunker's pact with his wife to try to contact him after death, and why he may have been a spirit no medium could ever reach.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the show, the Wyrdo’s are joined by Angela Willis from the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape to explore a trove of local ghost stories and folklore. Found in a dusty folder, these tales of the weird and uncanny span centuries of local history and include ancient myths, ghostly soldiers, and even a vampire.

On this episode of Wyrd Wessex, we discuss:

• The many versions of the Golden Coffin Myth and the strange legends of the devil tied to it.
• The bizarre "gabagammies" of Ashmore, along with sightings of a Woman in White and the area’s legendary Big Cats.
• The Roman legions, ghostly Black Dogs, and the legend of King Arthur as a raven at Badbury Rings.
• The curious tale of a ghostly hand and the Pimpern poacher.
• The oldest ghost on the Chase—a prehistoric man on horseback haunting Sixpenny Handley.
• The unsettling legend of Tarrant Gunville’s untrustworthy steward who was rumored to have become a vampire.
• The restless spirit of the Duke of Monmouth appearing in Woody Yates.
• Stories from the "most haunted village in Wiltshire," Bower Chalk, including a crying shepherd and a valley filled with the blood of ancient Britons.
• Tragic ghosts from the past at Codford St. Mary and the spirit of Lady Blanche Arundell at Wardour Castle.
• The "Oz effect" at Warminster’s Clay Hill, haunted by dancing figures and mysterious lights.
• The cursed Molly Pert, whose restless skeleton was said to bring misfortune to Pit House.
• The ghostly Susan Gibbs floating along her walk near Rushmore.
• A Headless Horseman and Black Dog that haunt a track in Pencilwood.
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Angela also shares her own experiences with the weird at Bewley and in a shop in Winchester, and we learn all about her Florida Woman alter-ego.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Written and compiled by Angela Willis and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get ready for a spooky Halloween treat! In this special Halloween Wextra episode, join Craig in his studio, where he is joined by co host Andy and returning guest Bekhi, as they dive into their top 10 Halloween movies. From classic horror to cult favorites, they cover it all.

Discover their picks for the most terrifying, thrilling, and unforgettable films that capture the true spirit of Halloween. Join the conversation and share your own favorite Halloween movies on our socials

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Wyrd Wessex, we're taking a deep dive into the magical history of the south of England and exploring its most notorious witches. From ancient folk tales and brutal witch trials to the secret origins of modern witchcraft, join us on a journey through the region's mysterious past.

• Folktales and Shapeshifters: We start with the old stories—tales of witches who could turn into hares and greyhounds, curse farmers with fleas, and mess with horses' manes. We even uncover a story from a village right here in Wessex.
• The Witch Trials: We explore the grim history of the witch trials, from the publication of the Malleus Maleficarumin 1486 to the final hangings in England. We delve into the Malmesbury Coven and the harrowing tale of the Biddeford Witches, the last to be executed for witchcraft in England.
• The Cunning Folk: Not all magical practitioners were feared. We meet the cunning folk, wise people who offered charms, remedies, and divination while navigating a fine line between folk magic and heresy. We tell the stories of Anne Boddenham and John Lamb, a cunning man who was stoned to death by an angry mob.
• Modern Witches: We travel to Christchurch to uncover the true origins of modern witchcraft and the figures who inspired Gerald Gardner. We also discuss the secretive history of the New Forest Coven, the establishment of the Museum of Witchcraft, and the story of Sybil Leek, Britain's most famous witch.
• Weird News: We've got a bumper crop of weird news, including an old man in India claimed to be 188 years old, a big cat lair discovered in a metal pipe in Cheshire, and an update on big cat sightings in the UK.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Written by Emma Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Sources:

Cunning man’s handbook by Jim baker

In search of the new forest coven by Phillip Heselton

Natural magic by Doreen valiente

Witchcraft today by Gerald Gardner

The Triumph of the Moon by Ronal Hutton

Wiltshire folk tales by Kirsty Hartsiotis

Wiltshire Folklore by Kathleen Wiltshire

Legends & Folklore - Wiltshire by R. S. Holland

The Folklore Wiltshire by Ralph Whitlock

Cecil Williamson's book of Witchcraft by Steve Patterson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quick warning, this episode does cover some very disturbing and violent material, so viewer and listener discretion is advised.

This week on Wyrd Wessex, Andy and Craig dive into the chilling and tragic history of Victorian England's Baby Farm Murders and the woman at the center of it all: Amelia Dyer. From a gruesome discovery in the Thames to a web of lies and aliases, this is the horrifying tale of one of history's most prolific killers.

• A Grisly Discovery: The episode begins on a crisp morning in March 1896 when a bargeman finds a child's body in a package floating in the Thames. The horrifying discovery ignites a murder investigation that will expose a dark underbelly of Victorian society.
• The Baby Farming Racket: Learn about the grim reality of "baby farming"—a practice that exploited unwed mothers and led to a horrifying and systematic trade in infants. Amelia Dyer, a master of this vile trade, moved frequently and used numerous aliases to evade detection.
• The Unraveling of a Killer: A crucial clue on the first victim's package leads police to Amelia Dyer's doorstep.What they found inside, from incriminating letters to identical tape used in the disposal of the bodies, would reveal the shocking scale of her crimes.
• The Final Verdict: The hosts conclude the story, detailing Dyer's final trial at the Old Bailey, the use of her confession letter as evidence, and her subsequent death sentence. They also reveal the grim theory that she may be responsible for the deaths of up to 400 babies.
• Weird News: In a particularly dark segment, the hosts share stories about a mum who died in a cult ritual during a live-streamed home birth, a serial killer's remains being sold to a collector, and a potential new Loch Ness monster... spotted in Ireland.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Wyrd Wessex, Craig and Andy delve into a beast so monstrous it was believed to be a scourge of God. From 1764 to 1767, a creature terrorized the French countryside, leaving a trail of death and mutilation. This is the story of the Beast of Gévaudan.

• A Nation Terrified: The hosts set the scene in 18th-century France, a land ripe with fear of wolves and rumors of werewolves, but unprepared for the true horror that was about to unfold in the region of Gévaudan.
• The Reign of Terror Begins: Learn about the first attacks of the Beast in April 1764 and the rapid escalation of its violence as it began to target women and children.
• The Royal Hunts: As the death toll climbed, King Louis XV himself became involved, sending his finest hunters to track and kill the beast. However, the elusive creature would prove to be an elusive and cunning foe.
• Heroes and Villains: Hear the astonishing tales of the peasants who fought back, including the brave young boy Jacques Portefeuille, who was rewarded by the king, and the Maid of Gévaudan, a woman who famously battled the beast with a bayonet.
• The Beast's True Form: Craig and Andy discuss what the creature might have been. Was it a wolf? A massive crossbreed? A legendary direwolf? They share the strange details from historical records, including the beast's unusually short ribcage and its extra dewclaws.
• Wyrd News: The hosts share three bizarre stories: a Russian spy whale found dead off the coast of Norway, a man who found a tombstone in his garden with his own birthday etched into it, and a burglar who broke into a home to suck a victim’s toes.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Written by Andy Stevens and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Wyrd Wessex, Craig and Andy continue their Halloween season episodes with a deep dive into something truly unsettling: creepy dolls. They explore the phobia of humanoid figures and share some of the most bizarre and terrifying stories of toys that are anything but inanimate.

• Pediophobia and Creepy Dolls: The hosts discuss the psychological fear of dolls and share a story about London's Pollock's Toy Museum that has visitors avoiding an entire room.
• A Haunting Collection: Craig and Andy recount a chilling lineup of haunted dolls, including the "Threaten Me Elmo" that kept saying "kill James," a possessed Elsa doll that mysteriously reappeared after being thrown out, and the full, dark story of the original Annabelle doll and her demonic history.
• The Unsettling Okiku Doll: They delve into the bizarre tale of a Japanese doll whose hair has reportedly been growing for nearly a century, with a priest who trims it and rumors that its mouth is slowly opening to reveal human teeth.
• Cursed Dolls of the Internet: The episode takes a turn into the modern age with stories of dolls found online, including Harold, a doll that caused a trail of bad luck and even death, and Letta the Marionette, which is said to have real human hair and a heartbeat.
• The Isle of the Dolls: The hosts describe the incredibly creepy La Isla de las Munecas in Mexico, an island covered in thousands of decaying dolls placed as an offering to a girl’s spirit, a ritual that ended with the caretaker's death on the very spot he found her.
• The Legend of Robert: They tell the story of Robert the Doll, a voodoo-cursed toy that terrorized its owner, and discuss its current residency in a museum where visitors still apologize to it for their lack of respect.
• Wyrd News: The show concludes with two highly topical stories about haunted dolls in the UK. The hosts are amused to discover that the same family from the first story, who adopted a doll that growled at them, is also featured in the second news story about a doll that scratches men in a museum.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Wyrd Wessex, Craig and Andy dive into the Loch Ness Monster, exploring the most famous hoaxes and the latest scientific attempts to solve the enigma. They discuss why the legend endures, even in the face of conclusive evidence, and share some new Wyrd News.

• The World's Most Famous Hoax: The hosts discuss the legendary "Surgeon's Photograph" and reveal the full, hilarious story behind the elaborate revenge plot involving a toy submarine and a scorned big game hunter.
• Science vs. The Myth: Craig and Andy explore the 2018 eDNA study led by geneticist Neil Gemmell, which searched the loch for any signs of an unknown species. They discuss the finding of a large amount of eel DNA and the theory that Nessie could actually be a giant eel.
• Burnt Nessie: They recount a bizarre story from a Freedom of Information request about a man who claimed to have found, chopped up, incinerated, and buried the monster's carcass beneath a Scottish school in the 1940s.
• Nessie vs. Bigfoot: The hosts compare the two most famous cryptids and share their personal beliefs, with both being more convinced by the possibility of Bigfoot than Nessie. They also touch on the idea of interdimensional portals and the Mandela Effect.
• Wyrd News: Including a haunted six-acre island for sale, Yuri Geller's claim of an impending alien invasion, and the discovery of microscopic life in Loch Ness with a holographic camera.

Stay Wyrd!

www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

Buy our merch here

Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.