Welcome to another episode of Wyrd Wessex! Join Craig and Andy for this chilling Halloween Special as they are joined by special guest Angela Willis from the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape.

We dive into a trove of terrifying myths and legends from the heart of Wessex, unearthing chilling tales of ghosts, ancient curses, and unexplained phenomena found within the 380-square-mile Chase. Angela shares how she uncovered a hidden folder of local folklore and ghost stories during her work!

In this episode, we're covering:

The Devil's Treasure: The recurring myth of a golden coffin and its sinister ties to the Devil and local curses.

The Original Vampire: The unsettling legend of William Doggett, a vampiric steward, and the tragic tale of Lady Blanche Arundell at Wardour Castle.

Ancient Legions & Phantoms: The terrifying Headless Horseman, sightings of a woman in white, the bizarre "gabagammies," and the ghosts of Roman legions and King Arthur at Badbury Rings.

Haunted Bower Chalk: We discuss the multitude of stories that make Bower Chalk one of the most haunted villages in Wiltshire, including the curse of Molly Pert and the disembodied ghostly hand in Pimpern.

Wyrd News & Experiment

As a bonus, we discuss a hilarious report of squirrels cancelling a train, a Loch Ness monster sighting, and a recent poltergeist investigation. Plus, we reveal our plan to perform a séance for our one-year anniversary!

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.

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.

In the darkest corners of Victorian England, a horrific industry thrived. For a small fee, "baby farmers" would take unwanted children off the hands of desperate mothers. But in the late 1800s, one such woman—Amelia Dyer—would become one of the most prolific serial killers in history.

Join the Wyrdo's as we unravel her terrifying story, from the gruesome discovery that first exposed her to the network of lies and aliases she used to carry out her decades of gruesome crimes.

In this episode, we explore:

Grim Reality: The dark truth of "baby farming" and why this horrific industry was allowed to flourish in the Victorian era.

The Fatal Clue: How a single piece of tape exposed a serial killer and led investigators straight to Dyer’s doorstep.

The Investigation: The discovery that launched the investigation, the dramatic final trial, and Dyer's subsequent death sentence.

The Victim Count: The horrifyingly high estimated victim count that places Dyer among the most prolific killers in history.

Wyrd News

• PLUS a particularly dark Wyrd News segment about cults and serial killers.

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.

A creature of myth, or a flesh-and-blood monster?

In the 1700s, a terrifying beast stalked the French countryside, killing over a hundred people and sparking a nationwide panic. On this episode of Wyrd Wessex, the Wyrdo's are diving deep into the true and terrifying history of the Beast of Gévaudan. We'll follow the desperate hunts ordered by King Louis XV himself, explore the incredible bravery of the peasants who fought back, and uncover the enduring mystery behind the two separate creatures believed to have terrorized France.

• The Escalating Violence: The historical context of man-eating wolves and the shocking, non-canine violence of the Beast.
• The Royal Hunt: The King's personal efforts to find the creature, the heroes who fought back, and the Beast's terrifying return after its supposed death.
• What Was It? We examine the wildest theories, from a wolf-dog hybrid to the reincarnated spirit of a Scottish cannibal.
• The 100+ Victim Count: The staggering scale of the terror that swept the French countryside for years.

Wyrd News

We've got three stories that are stranger than fiction: a Russian spy whale, a man who found a tombstone with his own birthday on it, and a burglar who broke in just to suck 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.

Welcome to the Wyrd Wessex podcast! This week, we're putting away the myths and uncovering the true, sinister histories behind some of the world's most terrifying dolls. This episode will make you rethink your childhood memories and every toy on your shelf.

Join us as we unravel the chilling stories, from a seemingly innocent doll that spoke a single chilling phrase ("Threaten Me Elmo") to the horrifying network of legends surrounding objects of pure evil.

• Annabelle's True Story: The full, sinister tale of the original Annabelle doll and the priest who was called in to stop the demonic activity.
• The Cursed Collective: The horrifying legend of Robert the Doll, the full, terrifying story of Harold the Doll, and the Japanese Okiku doll whose hair allegedly continues to grow.
• The Island of the Damned: We travel to Mexico to uncover the unsettling truth behind the Isle of the Dolls (La Isla de las Muñecas), an island covered in thousands of terrifying, haunted figures.

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.

Welcome to the Wyrd Wessex podcast! This week, hosts Craig and Andy journey into the chilly depths of Loch Ness. We uncover the full, bizarre story behind the legendary "Surgeon's Photograph," a famous hoax involving a big game hunter, a toy submarine, and a revenge plot against the Daily Mail.

We also dive into the latest science, including a groundbreaking eDNA study that searched the loch for any signs of a giant creature, the recent discovery of "micro monsters," and the compelling "giant eel" theory. From the bizarre tale of a man who claims he incinerated the beast to a discussion on why the myth endures, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

• The Ultimate Hoax: The full story of the famous "Surgeon's Photograph" and the elaborate revenge plot that created it.
• Scientific Proof? We break down the 2018 eDNA study and the finding that shattered decades of speculation, pointing instead to a much larger version of a familiar aquatic animal.
• Burnt Nessie: The hilarious and bizarre story of a man who claims to have incinerated the monster.
• Nessie vs. Bigfoot: A discussion on why the hosts believe in one creature more than the other.

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.

Welcome to the Wyrd Wessex podcast! This week, we’re diving deep into the world of Bigfoot with a very special guest: Eric Nelson, a retired California Highway Patrol officer and dedicated volunteer at the China Flat Museum and Bigfoot Collection.

Join hosts Andy and Craig as they discuss the history of this legendary cryptid and explore some of the most compelling evidence and encounters ever recorded.

• The Patterson-Gimlin Film: We tackle the most famous piece of Bigfoot evidence, the 1967 film from Bluff Creek. We discuss why experts, including anatomists and Hollywood makeup artists, believe its intricate muscle movement and unique gait make it virtually impossible to have been a hoax.
• The "No Body" Problem: We debate this key issue, exploring theories about acidic soil, quick decomposition, and why other elusive animals are rarely found either.
• UK Encounters: Craig recounts a chilling story told by a soldier who had a close-range encounter with a large, hairy bipedal creature during military exercises on Salisbury Plain, linking it to historical lore of “wild men” and “wood woesers.”
• First-Hand Accounts: Eric shares compelling stories he's heard directly, including a sighting by a retired FBI agent in Colorado.
• The Great Conundrum: We discuss the ethical dilemma of what would happen if a Bigfoot were ever definitively proven to exist, and the need to protect the creature.

A shocking true crime story about a man in Oklahoma who murdered his friend because he believed he had "summoned Bigfoot to kill and eat him.”

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.

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

This week on Wyrd Wessex, the Wyrdo's, Craig and Andy, delve into one of the UK's most bizarre and prolonged UFO cases: The Warminster Mystery.

We recount the early reports from Christmas Day 1964 when a powerful, unseen force shook homes and tormented residents in the Wiltshire town of Warminster, a phenomenon soon dubbed "The Thing." The mystery escalated from sounds and vibrations to full-blown sightings and terror.

• The Thing's Attack: The early reports of an unseen force shaking homes, the experiences of soldiers and townspeople, and the unsettling discovery of burnt and hole-riddled mice in the area.
• The Menacing Presence: Reports of silent, cigar-shaped crafts, a bizarre "flying train," and an unsettling pair of human-like eyes spotted in the sky.
• Close Encounters: Terrifying accounts, including a force that pinned down a teenage boy, a flaming crimson orb that flew directly at a truck, and the mysterious sightings of figures in black suits, often described as "frogmen,"who vanished when confronted.
• The Search for Answers: We dive into the various theories behind "The Thing," from alien visitors operating along ley lines to top-secret military experiments at the nearby Porton Down facility.

• Supernatural Monkey Witch: The Monobruja, a mythical "monkey witch" reportedly tormenting locals in Central America with raining stones (a bizarre echo of the Warminster events).
• My Cannibal Boyfriend: The shocking account of a woman who woke up to her ex-boyfriend chewing on her thigh.
• UFOs Saved Trump? A new conspiracy theory breaks down the viral claims that a flying disc appeared just before an assassination attempt to save a prominent political figure.
• Stay Wyrd

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.

This week on Wyrd Wessex, the Wyrdo's, Craig and Andy, delve into the captivating and enduring mystery of Crop Circles.

As a resident of Wiltshire—a county famous for its high concentration of circles—Craig shares his personal experiences visiting several of the intricate formations. Meanwhile, Andy traces the true history and folklore behind the phenomena, exploring whether these formations are alien communication, natural forces, or elaborate hoaxes.

• The True History: We delve into the folklore behind crop circles, from the 17th-century woodcut, The Mowing Devil, to the famous modern hoaxers, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, who fooled the world.
• The Modern Mystery: An exclusive update on the modern crop circle community and the enduring debate over how the most complex formations are created.
• Local Experiences: Craig shares his personal, firsthand account of visiting several Wiltshire circles.

• Medieval Well Discovery: The bizarre story of a man who discovered a 17-foot deep medieval well containing buried treasures—all in his living room!
• Gary Numan's Ghost: Pop icon Gary Numan shares his terrifying, unexplained ghost encounter on the London Underground.

This week on Wyrd Wessex, the Wyrdo's, Craig and Andy, delve into the captivating and enduring mystery of Crop Circles.

As a resident of Wiltshire—a county famous for its high concentration of circles—Craig shares his personal experiences visiting several of the intricate formations. Meanwhile, Andy traces the true history and folklore behind the phenomena, exploring whether these formations are alien communication, natural forces, or elaborate hoaxes.

• The True History: We delve into the folklore behind crop circles, from the 17th-century woodcut, The Mowing Devil, to the famous modern hoaxers, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, who fooled the world.
• The Modern Mystery: An exclusive update on the modern crop circle community and the enduring debate over how the most complex formations are created.
• Local Experiences: Craig shares his personal, firsthand account of visiting several Wiltshire circles.

• Medieval Well Discovery: The bizarre story of a man who discovered a 17-foot deep medieval well containing buried treasures—all in his living room!
• Gary Numan's Ghost: Pop icon Gary Numan shares his terrifying, unexplained ghost encounter on the London Underground.

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.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, cannibalism, and murder that may be disturbing to some listeners.

This week on Wyrd Wessex, the Wyrdo's, Craig and Andy, delve into one of the most gruesome legends in Scottish history: The Legend of Sawney Bean.

We unravel the horrifying tale of Sawney Bean, the patriarch of a cannibalistic clan who lived in a remote cave and preyed on travellers for decades.

• The Gruesome Tale: The story of the Bean clan's 25-year reign of terror, their cave lair, and the methods they used to survive.
• The King's Justice: The legend of how King James VI of Scotland allegedly led a massive manhunt to find the clan's lair and bring them to a brutal justice.
• Fact or Folklore?: Craig and Andy discuss whether the Sawney Bean tale is a true historical account or merely anti-Scottish propaganda, and its connection to other dark legends.
• Listener Story: A listener shares a chilling account of the Ghost Horse of Bedfordshire, a spectral black horse that appeared and then vanished on land once owned by the Knights Templar.

• Haunted Dolls for Sale: An exploration of a disturbing online community where people buy dolls said to be possessed by human spirits.
• The Search for Alien Life: A look at the James Webb Telescope's discovery of a gas on an exoplanet that could be a sign of extraterrestrial life.

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.