Weird in the Wade
Weird in the Wade explores the strange and paranormal history of the small English town of Biggleswade and its surroundings. Each episode delves into tales of hauntings, UFOs, witches, poisoners, and body snatchers, blending social history with the unexplained. The podcast is hosted by Natalie Doig and is presented in English.
Episodes
51 Modern Haunted and Abandoned Places
In this third episode exploring why abandoned, ruined and derelict places attract so much folklore and urban legends, Nat looks at more recent ruins.
Steph Lay of City of Secrets project tells Nat about a derelict farm on the outskirts of Milton Keynes with the deliciously creepy name of Devils Den Farm. Steph shares some more urban derelict places within the city.
Nat digs deeper into the his
50 Black Death in Bedfordshire
In a second episode considering abandoned places in
Bedfordshire, Nat explores the devastation caused by the Black Death in the 14th century. This includes the myths and legends which grew up around the plague, as well as the villages and settlements left in ruins.
Cainhoe Castle near Clophill is one example Nat explores. The site is now part of a nature reserve (Clophill Lakes) and Nat chats wi
Haunted Houghton House (And Some Creepy Castles)
!!! Last chance to get tickets to Bedfordshire's Dark History a show created by Nat Doig and Olie Campbell. Saturday 25th July 2pm The Quarry Theatre Bedford. Grab tickets here !!!
In this episode Nat joins Bryan Bland (of Ampthill Ghost Walks and who is Ampthill’s new town crier) to explore the history and legends which swirl around the ruins of Houghton House. A place beloved by the romantic po
48 Fierce Fen Folklore For LGBTQ+ Pride
***Weird in the Wade Presents: Bedfordshire's Dark History at Bed Fringe, 25th July at 2pm. Grab tickets here: https://bedfringe.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873684599 ***
In a celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Nat explores why the queer community has an affinity with the magical, otherworldly and supernatural.
She uncovers the history of one of the UK’s oldest, continuously run safe spaces fo
Top Secret Tempsford: WW2 and 21st Century ghosts
After exploring the 1840s haunting of Tempsford Hall Nat delves into the 20th and 21st century history of the hall.
On the eve of the 20th century Tempsford Hall suffered a devastating fire where extreme bravery was shown by the residents, visitor, and servants of the Hall.
Tempsford is probably most famous today for its role in the second world war. A top-secret role involving espionage, and r
46 A Haunting At Tempsford Hall
Whist researching Tempsford’s World War 2 history Nat
discovered a dossier of evidence about a haunting. A haunting that happened a hundred years before the second world war. The statements were gathered by Anne Lucinda Elliott, lady of the manor at Tempsford Hall from 1844 -48. They document four years of disturbing and unusual sounds, sights and experiences at the hall. The witnesses are many, i
45 My Paranormal Sleepover
Join Nat for this 3 year anniversary and 50th episode celebration of Weird in the Wade at Biggleswade’s most haunted pub! (I know it says episode 45 but some bonus episodes weren't numbered.)
Nat and the Scooby Gang (8 friends of the show) spent the night investigating in the bar of the Golden Pheasant. Very little sleep was had, but strange sounds, sensations and communicating with dowsing rods
44 Pub Ghosts
Nat meets up with Theresa the landlady of one of Biggleswade’s most mysterious pubs. There’s very little historical information about the Whistle and Flute, which changed its name from the Elephant and Castle in the 1990s. Theresa and her staff have all experienced strange phenomena in the pub, and Nat hopes to shed some light on why that might be.
Nat also speaks with Lloyd Lugsden of the “Dead
Road Ghosts
The UK's roads seem to be filled with ghostly encounters and urban legends from phantom hitchhikers to timeslips. In this episode Nat
examines two road ghost encounters shared by listeners. These two road ghosts have a link with foggy weather. Is fog the most paranormal of all weather conditions?
Nat also explores a miraculous healing which was said to have been performed by a ghost who manifeste
42 The Legend of Black Humphrey
In a trip to the seaside, a “Weird in the Waves” episode if you like, Nat tells the tale of Black Humphrey, an infamous smuggler, wrecker, possible pirate, spell caster and general wrongun. On Whipsiderry beach, just north of Newquay, you’ll find a small rugged island which bears the name of Black Humphrey’s rock. Today’s episode explores how this rock got it’s name.
As well as telling this twis
Paranormal Women: An International Women's Day Celebration
Starting with an exploration of the Green Lady of Kempston, a ghost who appears along the banks of the river Great Ouse southwest of Bedford. These colourful lady ghosts can be found all over the UK and Ireland, and Nat wants to know more about this type of female ghost.
Nat is joined by special expert guests:
EvelynHollow (parapsychologist, author and queen of team believer on Uncanny,)
40 A Haunting at the Higgins Bedford
The Higgins Bedford (a museum and art gallery.) has a long history of unexplained and supernatural phenomena witnessed by customers and staff alike. It became so infamous that from the 1980s until 2010 ghost tours and investigations were held at the museum. The site includes an old brewery, beautiful town house, munitions tower, and the mound of Bedford castle. Can this history shed any light on t
39 The Prestonville Horror
We return to Brighton and the suburb of Prestonville to discover one of the most bizarre hauntings Nat has ever found. Investigated by the Daily Mirror in 1907, the Presonville Horror defies all understanding of what a ghost might be. A mother and daughter are plagued by strange sounds and sights whilst they care-take a large crumbling house. A flamboyant sceptic investigates and claims to have so
38 Demon Dogs and Creepy Canines (Live)
Recorded live at the Bigg Theatre in Biggleswade, this is a special Christmas episode of Weird in the Wade! Nat with special guest Owen Staton explore tales of demon dogs, creepy canines and haunted hounds. Avoiding the most famous of them all Old Shuck, this episode considers lesser-known tales including those shared by listeners, as well as folktales from Bedfordshire and across the UK. From Lut
37 The Ghosts of Preston Manor
Join Nat on a brief trip away from the wade to the seaside and Brighton’s hidden gem, Preston Manor. This ancient manor house is possibly England’s most haunted. There
is a ghost story, sometimes multiple ghost stories for every room at this beautiful stately home.
Dan Cox Head Guide for Brighton Museums and Preston Manor takes us on a tour of the house sharing ghost stories old and new, includi
36 The Ghosts of Coopers Hill
Listener Nick, tells Nat about a strange and ghostly experience he had at Coopers Hill in Ampthill, Bedfordshrie back in the early 1980s.
Did Nick witness a ghost, a time slip or is there a more rational but equally intriguing explanation for his sighting?
With the help of Bryan Bland from Ampthill Ghost Walks, Nat uncovers the strange history of Coopers Hill, or the Firs as locals call it. Tha
35 The Potton Road Poltergeist
Can an historic poltergeist haunting cast light on the current phenomena affecting Andy’s house? We visited Andy’s house in the last episode. Nat uncovers the poltergeist story behind the 1994 newspaper headlines. She considers the historical context of the haunting, including the broadcast in 1992 of Ghostwatch.
Nat also chats with Bethan Briggs-Miller of Eerie Essex podcast and co-founder of t
34. What's Haunting Andy's House?
Weird in the Wade is back! In this episode Nat investigates haunting phenomena happening in a house right now in Biggleswade. Andy and his little dog Dolly are troubled by bangs, footsteps, and other strange sounds and sights in their cottage.
Do former occupants hold the answers?
Does the recent and ancient history of the land hide clues?
Is Andy's house the only home experiencing ghostly a
Weird in the Wade Returns: Trailer
A quick trailer for the Return of Weird in the Wade, featuring a teaser of what to expect from the first new episode: What's Haunting Andy's House?
Make sure you're subscribed to Weird in the Wade wherever you listen, so you don't miss an episode. Remember new episodes of Weird in the Wade will be released every two weeks from Monday 27th October 2025
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap
33. A Spectral Army at Sempringham
On a summer wander away from the wade, Nat visits a South Lincolnshire hillside which has attached to it an intriguing medieval tale of a phantom army. In a strange coincidence, Nat learns that her brother who runs there regularly has a tale to tell about that hillside as well. Sempringham was the site of an abbey and a monastic order founded by an Englishman, St Gilbert. The site holds a holy wel
The Burryman
On a summer wander away from Biggleswade, Nat investigates one of the UK's strangest seasonal folk customs, the Burryman of Queensferry. For centuries a man covered from head to ankle in spiky burdock seedheads has walked along the banks of the Firth of Forth, bringing luck and banishing evil from the town. Uniquely Scottish, looking like a man covered in bees or a bear walking on his hind legs, s
31. Biggleswade's Phantom Army
The medieval chronicles are peppered with odd tales amongst the mundane, when folklorist and historian Dr Francis Young came across one of these peculiar stories he shared it with Nat, because it happened at Biggleswade. In this episode Francis and Nat ask, and hopefully answer the questions: what was this strange sight? What did it mean to the witnesses? How have our interpretations of the uncann
30 The Secrets of Royston Cave
Beneath the pretty market town of Royston in Hertfordshire, lies a cave that was carved out of the chalk by hand, in the distant past. After being dramatically rediscovered in the mid 18th century, Royston cave has spawned competing theories about its use and meaning and has been a tourist attraction ever since. Smothered in medieval carvings which in turn have been covered by more recent etched g
29. Return to the Haunted Poundstretcher
As a celebration of two years of Weird in the Wade, Nat returns to the subject of her first ever episode: The Haunted Poundstretcher. The site is now a café and gym where Nat and her team of friends hold a ghost hunt overnight. They have access to the café, gym, attic and cellar space. They hear from staff and visitors who have experienced something uncanny in and outside of the building.
Nat als
Witches Apprehended! Mary and Mother Sutton
In 1612 in Milton Ernest, a village five miles north of Bedford, two women, a mother and daughter are accused and tried by their village for witchcraft. Their story is written up in a propaganda pamphlet the following year, and their case is used in a 1627 legal guide for witchcraft cases. Yet even those who are familiar with the dark tales of England's witch trials often have not heard of their s
Part Two: The Witches of Bedfordshire
In this episode Nat completes her exploration of witchcraft in Bedfordshire starting with a 19th Century ghost sighting of a witch.
The episode covers a case of Victorian girls playing at witches to horrific and cruel effect. Then moves through the 20th Century with it's contrast between the rise of wicca and nature based neo pagan witchcraft, and the persistent fear of "black magic" and the sata
Part One: The Witches of Bedfordshire
In this episode Nat takes you on a journey, exploring the history of witchcraft in Bedfordshire from medieval times up until the late 18th century. Kicking off with a ghost story about a witch.
This episode moves from what is possibly Bedfordshire's earliest record of witchcraft, to the witch trials of the 17th century and beyond. It seems even when persecuting witches was outlawed in 1735, the
25 Old Ragbones: Biggleswade's Unidentified Man
As the missing person's charity, Locate International launch a fresh appeal into "Biggleswade Man" Nat takes a closer look at this missing persons, and unidentified body case.
Even if you don't live in Biggleswade you could hold the key to solving this 28 year mystery.
In February 1997 some schoolboys playing truant discovered the body of a homeless man. They recognised this man as "Old Ragbone
Where's Weird in the Wade?
Just a quick update to let you know where your Weird in the Wade episode is? Don't worry new episodes are on their way. You won't have to wait long.
Listen to find out why the Witches of Bedfordshire episodes will be a little late. There's also exciting news about an appeal to find a missing man who's body was discovered in Biggleswade 28 years ago. He has never been identified. Coming in the nex
24. The Mystery of Pegnut Wood's Creepy Bridge
There's a wood between the Bedfordshire town of Potton and the ancient hamlet of Sutton, which has spooked many locals including Nat. The creepiness seems to coalesce around an ancient bridge along an equally venerable footpath which has possibly been in use for over 1000 years.
After Nat encountered this strange part of the woods nearly three years ago, she's been trying to piece together it's
23 Haunted Cinema's with Danny Robins
In this festive special episode Nat chats with Danny Robins of Uncanny, the Witch Farm, the Battersea Poltergeist and 2:22 A Ghost Story Fame. They chat about haunted cinemas, theatres and doppelgangers.
But before their chat, Nat explores the creepy tales from one of Bedford's former cinemas. There's phantom monks and an old Priory to explore along the way.
Special guest Owen Staton returns wit
New Witness to the most haunted pub in Biggleswade
This stocking filler of an episode is packed full of new witnesses and updates to previous cases.
In today’s episode we’ll hear from a new witness to the haunting of the Golden Pheasant. It's a chance to set the story straight about one of the hauntings I covered in that episode.
There’s new information about Thelma Roberts the 1950s UFO investigator and some medical evidence which could shed n
22. Haunted Theatres
They say every theatre has a ghost. Nat embarks on an investigation to see if this is true. Starting with the newest theatre in Biggleswade, the Bigg Theatre. Once a town hall, then a petrol station, department store and a restaurant, it seems the Bigg Theatre building has a long history associated with performance and more recently ghostly happenings.
Three actors share their stories of uncanny
21. Haunted Henlow Camp
In this episode we travel to RAF Henlow where phantom footsteps in the snow, and a poltergeist are said to be linked to a daring pioneer of parachuting in the 1920s. We'll learn about the hauntings, and this airman's dare devil antics which tragically led to his untimely death.
Nat Doig also shares some of her eerie memories of living at RAF Henlow as a child in the 1980s, including ghost storie
20. JF Hunt The Victorian Medium Who Worked With Shakespeare's Ghost
19th Century spiritualism is at the heart of this episode which we'll explore through the exploits of a Biggleswade medium who believed he was in direct contact with the spirit of William Shakespeare. John Francis Hunt, who we met in the previous episode, was an extraordinary man, he pursued justice, sought out buried treasure and was a constant correspondent with the newspapers, the social media
19. Solved: The Haunting of Murder Bridge
I'd almost given up on discovering how murder bridge between Biggleswade and Sutton, got it's name. Until completely by accident I stumbled across a ghost story, reported as part of the minutes of a meeting of the Biggleswade Hospital Board in 1922. That led me on a twisty path to the truth, involving a libel case, a notorious Biggleswade spiritualist who believed he was the ghost of Shakespeare's
18. The Night Hag (with guest Ciaran O'Keeffe)
The Night Hag, is an old name for sleep paralysis. A sleep condition or disorder that has led to some of the most terrifying stories and folktales from around the world. From encounters with demons, witches and ghosts, to alien abductions sleep paralysis has spawned many scary stories. Likewise many paranormal experiences have been explained by sceptics as being caused by sleep paralysis.
In this
17. The Haunted Tunnels
Find out how terrifying sighting of a Cavalier ghost in the 1930s links to Biggleswade's mysterious tunnels. I explore the cellar below where the phantom was seen, discover hidden passageways, bricked up tunnel entrances, and much more. I take you on a trip down the river, and to the Camden House school room, we explore the history of Biggleswade's brewing industry, and I visit the Bedfordshire ar
16. The Haunting of Camden House
Today's episode follows a ghost story over three centuries. We start in the 1880s with school children terrified by a ghost in a garden. Then we explore a newsagents bothered by paranormal activity in the 1960s. In the present day we discover a secret tunnel entrance and hear rumours of a helpful spirit where the garden once bloomed. Linking all these hauntings is the building of Camden House. Onc
15. Weird Wanders Two: My night in York's Most Haunted Inn
As part of my haunted house challenge I spent the night at the Golden Fleece Hotel in York. The pub is renowned for being the most haunted pub in the city and maybe even Britain. No fewer than 15 ghosts have been reported to haunt the 17th century pub.
Listen to my live recordings during the night, as well as interviews with fellow guests over breakfast, all of whom had strange stories to tell.
14. Weird Wanders One: Blind George Ghost of Anstey
We take a short wander away from Biggleswade, over the county border into Hertfordshire in this episode. Nat Doig tells the tale of Blind George of Anstey. It's a folktale with a bit of everything, a secret tunnel, a blind fiddle player, a faithful dog, the devil, and a ghost.
Nat also explores myths and legends around blindness including busting some modern myths with her guest Paul Day.
Nat a
13. Ghostly Crime Part 2: Biggleswade Body Snatchers and Things That Go Bump in the Night
In this episode Nat Doig explores the tale of Biggleswade's body snatchers. As is often the case it turns out that the truth is stranger and more satisfying than fiction. Do the body snatchers haunt the town still? Why might the town have forgotten the most exciting part of the story, preferring instead to remember just a murky fragment of the tale? Nat ponders these questions and finds some surpr
12. Ghostly Crime Part One: Murder Bridge, Thomas Dun and a Chat with Eerie Edinburgh
In this bumper episode I explore why so many ghost stories and hauntings have a connection with crime or criminals.
I investigate the local legend of Biggleswade's Murder Bridge, a place every school child knows not to approach.
I tell you the tale of Thomas Dun, reported to be Black Tom's phantom friend or even the real Black Tom. His 800 year old story is full of despicable deeds and more str
11. Black Tom Phantom Highwayman of Bedford
In this episode we explore one of Bedford's most famous hauntings. A folktale so well known it gave it's name to an area of the town. What is now a rather unassuming roundabout just north of Bedford town centre, known locally as Black Tom's Grave, was once a place of fear. Was a highwayman executed on that site? Does his restless spirit still wander beneath the trees there? Why are there so many p
Bonus Episode: Facing my Demons at the Black Magic Church
Happy New Year! In this bonus episode I visit the ruin of St Mary's Old Church, Clophill. On a chilly December morning, 60 years after the ruin became notorious for black magic rituals, devil worship, vandalism, desecration and hauntings, I spend a few hours recording and photographing the site. An instance of pareidolia (seeing a figure in random mottled wall markings in this case) forces me to c
10. The Ghosts of St Mary’s Old Church
In this Christmas bonanza episode chock full of ghosts, I tell you about the many hauntings reported at St Mary's Old Church, Clophill, over the last 60 years. From Spectral beasts scaring news agents at Christmas, to a punk band who felt their haunting encounter at the church brought them bad luck, to more recent mobile phone footage of monk like phantoms. It's all explored in this episode.
Did
9. The Black Magic Church
There's an abandoned church on a hill top at Clophill in Bedfordshire, that fuelled my nightmares as a child. In today's episode I explore the history of this notorious church that the tabloid press labelled a "black magic church" back in the 1960s. This ruined church has associations with magic, ghosts, grave robbers, the devil, desecration and death. But are the newspaper stories and the local f
Bonus Episode: More Big Cats of Bedfordshire and Beyond
In this bonus episode we hear from a new witness who saw a large black cat in Bedfordshire in the 1990s. His sighting was near to the famous encounters with the beast of Silsoe which I also explore.
We also catch up with Owen Staton, completing the interview started in episode 7, The Big Cat of Biggleswade and Phantom Felines.
Find out more about Owen and his podcasts by following him on Twitter
8. The Most Haunted Pub in Biggleswade
The Golden Pheasant in Biggleswade is not the town's oldest or even grandest pub, but this real ale beer house is reported to be Biggleswade's most haunted. Over the years strange phenomena and mysterious stories have built up around the establishment.
I visited the pub and chatted with regulars and staff to try and get to the bottom of the haunting. What I discovered made my blood run cold on at
7. The Big Cat of Biggleswade and Phantom Felines
There have been several sightings of a big cat stalking the water meadows, heaths, and back gardens of Biggleswade in the last twenty years. And they're not your usual black panther type sightings; they're more intriguing. Of course, I just had to investigate.
In this episode I speak with an eye witness about the large and unusual cat they saw whilst walking their dog. We have another witness sta
6. The Potton Poisoner: Part 3
In this final part of the story of Sarah Dazley, the Victorian poisoner, we follow the evidence shared at William Dazley's inquest and murder trial. We unpick tricky testimony and tangled timelines in an attempt to decide if Sarah really did it. There's gossip, pills and powders, a dead pig, and a teenage pregnancy all to uncover.
We hear a new ghost story shared by a listener this time centred
5. The Potton Poisoner: Part Two
This is the second part of a three part story about Sarah Dazley the Potton Poisoner.
This episode opens with Sarah's arrest on the banks of the Thames in London and her appearance in front of the Lord Mayor. We'll hear a late night conversation between Sarah and the women guarding over her in a Biggleswade tavern. Find out why arsenic poisoning was such a problem in Victorian Britain. As well a
4. The Potton Poisoner: Part One
On Saturday 5th August 2023 it will be 180 years since the execution of Sarah Dazley the Potton Poisoner, she was hanged outside Bedford Gaol in front of 10,000 people.
The haunting of a pretty cottage ties to the story of the Potton Poisoner. A murder case that was a Victorian sensation. Scandalising a nation, and still fascinating true crime enthusiasts today. Should Sarah Dazley, dubbed the Po
Bonus Episode: Updates, News and a New Spooky Story
A bonus episode with updates from previous episodes, a new spooky story that happened to Nat Doig earlier this year, and some news about changes to the podcast. There's also a new trailer for the next episode about the Potton Poisoner.
If you haven't listened to all of our previous episode's here's some timings so you can avoid spoilers!
Pound Stretcher update is at 3 minutes 45
Flying saucer
3. What’s Haunting Potton Wood?
Can a WW2 plane crash explain the strange phenomena that have been reported in this quiet corner of English woodland over the last 70 years? How does the tale of a little hero dog tie in with the ghostly encounters? Why do so many visitors to the wood smell burning when there are no signs of fire near by?
This month's episode is a little different. We have a witness interview, field recordings fr
Bonus Episode: Luton’s Noontide Hag
In 1848 a boy from Luton workhouse has a strange and horrifying encounter in church. His story is reported in the newspapers and there are links to Scotland, Sir Walter Scott and a pioneer of stage magic. Hear all about it in this bonus episode.
Get in touch with Weird in the Wade on Twitter and insta @weirdinthewade or through our blog. We'd love to hear from you.
If you'd like to support us yo
2) Flying Saucers Over Biggleswade
It's the 1950s and for a few short weeks Biggleswade becomes the flying saucer capital of the world! A UFO hoax is uncovered, whilst two flying saucer sightings a year apart, remain to this day, a mystery. Find out how the hoax and the genuine UFO mystery are intertwined, meet a cast of characters including a working class engineering hero, and a woman investigating UFOs with her trusty Labrador.
Bonus Mini Episode: The Silsoe Grey Lady
In this bonus, mini episode, partly recorded on a dawn walk around Wrest Park, hear the ghost story of the grey lady of Silsoe in Bedfordshire. Birdsong will accompany you as we travel back in time and discover what haunts the George Inn and how the haunting is linked to the beautiful and stately Wrest Park.
Show notes and transcript at Weird in the Wade's blog
Please consider supporting the po
Bonus Episode: The Great Fire of Biggleswade, New Evidence.
A bonus episode about the 1785 Great Fire of Biggleswade. I've unearthed new evidence, which has lain unnoticed for 230 years. Does the established narrative including the cause of the fire need to be challenged? Make up your own mind after listening.
Find out about how the news was reported 230 years ago, how connected our country really was back then, and how history can turn on a six pence or
1 The Haunted Pound Stretcher
The staff at the Biggleswade pound stretcher got more than they bargained for when strange things started happening at their place of work. We examine what really went down in the shop and gather witness testimonies. We'll also look at links to Biggleswade's past and the building's unique place in history. Can we discover who Aggie the poltergeist really was?
Visit Weird in the Wade blog for more
Weird in the Wade: Trailer
Something is coming... A new podcast about all that's weird, wonderful and a little off kilter in the town of Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. Before our first episode is released on Monday 1st of May listen to a trailer all about this new and fascinating podcast. If you like your spooky stories with an historical context or your history with a pinch of the paranormal then this is the podcast for you.
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