Wyrd Wessex is a podcast hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens that explores the weird, spooky, and supernatural. The hosts delve into mysteries, myths, and legends, focusing on the UK but occasionally venturing further. Episodes cover ghost stories, unexplained phenomena, true crime, folklore, ufology, and cryptids. The podcast aims to uncover the hidden weirdness of the world.
Episodes
The Penhill Poltergeist
Craig and Andy dive deep into the chilling four-decade history of the Penhill Poltergeist in Swindon. From post-war council housing built over ancient, capped brewery springs to an official authority spokesman going on record to confirm a haunted house, the Wyrdos unpack how a modest 1950s estate became Wiltshire's epicentre for high strangeness.The Wyrdos pull back the curtain on the bizarre
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
Andy and Craig dive deep into the explosive history of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. From the religious turmoil of the English Reformation to a secret cellar beneath Parliament packed with 36 barrels of gunpowder, we unpack how a Protestant lawyer's son from York became "Guido" Fawkes—a mercenary, explosives expert, and the most infamous figure in British history. The Wy
Dowsing, Randonautica, and the New Forest quest
In this episode—exploring the crossover between ancient divining practices and modern technology—Craig and Andy tackle the history, pseudoscience, and dark real-world fallout of dowsing and quantum-generated coordinates. From 16th-century German mining texts, Martin Luther’s warnings of demonic witchcraft, and modern UK water utilities using hazel twigs to the rise of Randonautica during lockdown,
Halloween Special:Listener Stories
In this Halloween special and anniversary episode of Wyrd Wessex, Craig and Andy dive deep into a chilling collection of spooky listener-submitted stories. The wyrdos tackle everything from terrifying childhood hauntings and mystery man voices to self-knocking doors and the delicate line between real-world truth and individual perception.The conversation expands into high-strangeness territory wit
Unearthing the Forest Folklore, Fake Lore, and Fiery Fates with Brice Stratford
In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, Andy and Craig head to Lyndhurst in the heart of the New Forest to sit down with author, folklorist, and storyteller Brice Stratford. Over a series of pints at historic local spots, the conversation dives deep into what it truly means for folklore to be anchored to a specific landscape, contrasting genuine rooted community traditions with modern "fake lore"
Borley Rectory: part 2
In this episode—part two of our deep dive into Borley Rectory—Craig and Andy pick up the story as the chaos enters its most turbulent and heavily documented chapters. Moving past the early years, we tackle both the infamous Marianne Foyster residency and the dramatic 1937 investigation scheme led by Harry Price.From violent poltergeist phenomena, wall scrawlings, and flying objects to Price's
Borley Rectory
In this episode, Craig and Andy dive into the early, creeping hauntings of Borley Rectory—a location once dubbed "the most haunted house in England." Before the infamous Marianne Foyster era brought absolute chaos to the blue room, the Rectory spent decades quietly accumulating strangeness under the Bull family and the brief, chaotic tenure of Eric Smith.We explore how Britain's prem
Finding the Real Faye: Sam the Sandown Clown Update
Andy and Craig return for a special edition of AfterWyrd to dissect a major development in one of the Isle of Wight’s most bizarre modern legends: Sam the Sandown Clown.Following up on their previous discussions and their recent interview with folklorist Paul A. T. Wilson at the Strange Days Festival, the Wyrdo co-hosts dive into new research sent in by a listener.They explore the findings from th
Bonus Tarot Card Draw
Broadcasting live from the final night of Strange Days Festival, Craig and Andy are running on absolute empty, a questionable amount of coffee, and pure festival adrenaline. Between nonsensical theories on koalas, farts, and untrustworthy hippos. To mark the end of a wild weekend, they draw two tarot cards live on air to seal their fate: The Lovers (prompting a very necessary, very tired debate on
Kitchen Shadow Figures, Dragon Sightings & Devon Time Slips
In the fifth and final instalment of our live coverage from the Strange Days Festival, Craig and Andy wrap up an incredible weekend of high strangeness. We sit down with Fortean Times TV critics Stu and Ruth Neville to discuss British folk horror, low-key hauntings, and a terrifying kitchen-dwelling shadow figure. Festival organiser Matt Page drops by to debrief on the weekend's highlights, follow
Doppelgängers, Shadow Men & Lacock Ghosts
Featureless doppelgängers on dark roads, a 7-foot blonde-hating entity at Tudor World, phantom calls on disconnected payphones, and the morality of paranormal YouTube.Andy and Craig are back backstage at the Strange Days Festival for Part 4 of our special coverage!We’re sitting down with an incredible lineup of researchers, ghost tour hosts, and paranormal creators to explore local high-strangenes
Tea Leaf Magic, Sam the Clown & Secret Government Agents
Recorded on location at the Strange Days Festival, Craig and Andy host a massive festival special featuring an incredible lineup of Fortean guests: folklorist Paul A.T. Wilson, researcher Matt Williams (The Secret Vault), author Ben Stockman, Steve Wills (Warminster UFO Group), and James from Loremen podcast.Together, they dive deep into high strangeness, underground military bases, anci
Bigfoot, Conspiracies & The Barge Inn UFO
A terrifying sonic UFO abduction over the Wiltshire fields, Himalayan Yeti hunting, elite cloning theories, and multi-billion-year-old alien transmissions. Andy and Craig are back backstage at the Strange Days Festival for Part 2 of our special coverage!We’re sitting down with an incredible lineup of researchers, artists, cryptid hunters, and comedians to explore local high-strangeness, global con
The Quantum Mechanics at Strange Days Festival Jots, Uri Geller & High Strangeness
Recorded live on-site at the Strange Days Festival 2026, Craig and Andy sit down with Peter and Ben, hosts of The Quantum Mechanics Podcast. What was planned as a quick ten-minute catch-up expands into a deep dive on navigating the middle ground between total belief and complete skepticism.The group discusses the origins of The Quantum Mechanics, the challenges of podcast discoverability, and why
AfterWyrd: The New Forest Vampire, Bigfoot & Moon UFOs
In this episode of AfterWyrd, Andy and Craig catch up after a brief hiatus filled with hammock mishaps, bruised ribs, and an unexpected plunge into the waters of Glastonbury’s White Spring.The Wyrdos dive deep into the latest strange stories, local mysteries, and fringe news breaking across the globe:Bigfoot Hoax Busting: Following up on the "Snake" Whiteley decaying carcass claims and the univers
Harry Price: Ghost Hunter
Before Ed and Lorraine Warren, there was Harry Price. He was the most famous ghost hunter of the 20th century... so why was he using bat blood to turn a live goat into a handsome prince? In 1932, at midnight on a foggy German mountain peak, 42 photographers, 73 journalists, and a full sound crew gathered to watch a young woman in a white dress recite Latin incantations over a bowl of bat blood. Th
Gef the Talking Mongoose: The Eighth Wonder of the World
In 1931, deep in the isolated windswept hills of Doarlish Cashen on the Isle of Man, the Irving family found themselves sharing their farmhouse with something completely unexplainable. It wasn't a standard ghostly whisper—it was a screeching, high-pitched voice two octaves above human range reading the daily news from inside the wall panelling, hunting over 200 rabbits for dinner, and casually dro
Damh the Bard Welsh Myth, Modern Druidry, and the River of Awen
For centuries, the old ways of these islands weren’t written down—they were carried in song, poetry, and myth. Today, that tradition is alive and well. In this episode, we sit down with David Smith, better known as Damh the Bard (and yes, we explain how to pronounce it!). From his 15 years as Pendragon of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD) to weaving Welsh myth into acoustic folk, Damh
AfterWyrd: Stoned Dogs and Rogue Elephants
In this episode of AfterWyrd, Craig and Andy break down the week's strangest stories. Featuring a special check-in with stone carver Toby to dismantle some dubious academic claims about historical protection marks, alongside tales of high-altitude hounds, profound out-of-body encounters, a tracking-collared rogue elephant in Nepal, and Count Binface's hilarious local election manifesto for Clacton
Ridgeway Ghosts & UFO Sightings
In this episode, Craig and Andy head to Oxfordshire's ancient Ridgeway to explore one of England's most haunted landscapes—from Farringdon churchyard where a headless ghost still patrols, to the Uffington White Horse that inspired Tolkien, and finally Wayland's Smithy, where an invisible blacksmith once shoed horses for pennies.What starts as a folklore walk quickly turns into something stranger,
The Smalls Lighthouse Incident
Welcome back to WyrdLore, our bonus series dedicated to the strange tales, local legends, and folklore that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show.In this episode, Andy and Craig travel out to the treacherous, wave-lashed waters twenty miles west of the Marloes Peninsula to uncover the grim and haunting history of the Smalls Lighthouse. Back in the autumn of 18th-century Britain, this wasn't the st
Strange Days at the Barge (High Strangeness and Folk Horror)
In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, we sit down with Matt, the director of Area 51, to peel back the layers of one of the UK’s most unique gatherings: The Strange Days Festival. Hosted at the legendary Barge Inn in Honey Street, this weekend-long celebration on the Kennet and Avon Canal has become a vital hub for the Fortean community.Matt takes us behind the scenes of creating immersive, "shit-scary"
AfterWyrd: Quantum Disappearances, Skinwalker Anomalies and the "Witch Mark" Debate
Welcome back to AfterWyrd where we dive into the anomalies, the unexplained, and the unsettling stories that were just too "Wyrd" for the main show.]This week, we confront the strange reality of modern science and ancient folklore. From the disturbing pattern of researchers vanishing after experiments involving quantum matter, to the "data rot" causing AI chatbots to hallucinate the same fictional
Live from Solskin festival
Join Craig as he leaves the comfort of the studio behind for a special live recording from the stunning Peak District. Amidst the magic and folklore swirling around the festival grounds, this episode captures the raw energy of Solskin, featuring intimate conversations on shamanism, Celtic mythology, and the supernatural. Between teaching butchery and cooking over open fires, Craig sat down with fa
The Endless Tale |WyrdLore
Welcome back to WyrdLore, our bonus series dedicated to the strange tales, local legends, and folklore that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show.In this episode, Andy and Craig tackle the classic global folk motif known as "The Endless Tale." We meet a powerful king who offers his beautiful daughter's hand in marriage to any suitor who can tell a story that never ends—though the penalty for faili
Mexican Batman and the Solstice Stone Circle Mystery Did CERN Fracture the Timeline?
Welcome to AfterWyrd, the show where we sort through the odd little bits, strange stories, and global eccentricities that don’t quite make the main episodes. Fresh off a grueling vocal session that has left our voices in absolute tatters from doing silly accents, Craig and Andy reunite to break down a massive backlog of unhinged headlines. We dive straight into the tragic breaking news out of Derb
The Mowing Devil: A History of Flattened Fields & Wiltshire’s Enduring Mystery | Wyrd Wessex
The 2026 season has brought new formations to the Wiltshire landscape, but the mystery of the "crop circle" didn't start in the 1980s. Long before the modern era of drones and sophisticated land art, people were finding strange, circular depressions in their fields—and they were blaming everything from cyclonic winds to the Devil himself.In this episode, Craig explores the long, bizarre history of
Art, Witch Marks, and West Country Lore (The Weird Wessex Showcase)
In this episode, Craig and Andy head to the ancient, iconic landscape of the Avebury Stone Circle for the "Weird Wessex" showcase—a gathering of local artists, musicians, and storytellers celebrating the high strangeness of the West Country. What starts as a stroll through the stones quickly turns into a deep dive into the living, breathing folklore of the region, packed with everything from medie
Queer Folklore: How Outsiders Find Sanctuary in Myths (Sasha Coward)
What happens when you don't fit into the "neat and orderly" versions of history taught in schools? You go underground. You find your truth in the stories, the monsters, and the high strangeness that society tries to ignore.In this episode, Craig sits down with historian and author Sasha Coward (Queer as Folklore) to map out the hidden, queer roots of our favourite myths. We’re exploring
The dark secrets of Milton Keynes (Modern Folklore for a New City)
In this episode Craig and Andy head slightly north to explore the modern urban legends, liminal spaces, and paranormal hotspots of Milton Keynes. We are joined by paranormal researcher, writer, and photographer Dr. Steph Lay, who spent over two decades at the Open University before turning her analytical eye toward the city's haunted shadows.With a diploma in parapsychology and a PhD specialising
UAP File Declassification (The Truth Behind the Footage) |Afterwyrd
Join Craig and special guest UAPaul as they tackle the latest batch of UAP file releases from the US Department of War. Is the government finally admitting we aren't alone, or are they just having a bit of a laugh at our expense with a retro-styled website that feels like a 90s conspiracy fever dream? We cut through the noise, the FLIR artifacts, and the "tic-tac" hype to get to the truth.Episode
Mimics, Glitches and Shadowy Figures (Listener Stories)
In this special episode, Craig and Andy gather to share a collection of eerie, fascinating, and downright creepy listener stories sent in by their brilliant Buy Me a Coffee members. After a few technical mishaps and some profanity in a church during the 100th episode, the Wyrdos are back to deliver the supernatural goods.The Listener Tales:Andrew's Childhood Shadow Figures: A genuinely chilling me
From Skeptics to the Fence (UAPs, Big Cats & Ghost Glitches)
To mark our landmark 100 and oneth episode, we decided to do things a bit differently. Trading the usual format for something more self-indulgent, we sat down in St Andrews Church in Rolleston—complete with some cake and a drop of whiskey—to look back at our journey, answer your listener questions, and contemplate the unknown.Here is a taste of what to expect as we reflect on a century of episodes
Ghosts, Black Dogs, and Folktales in a 13th-Century Church (100th Episode Special)
For our 100th episode, we’re spending the night within the ancient, 13th-century walls of St. Andrew’s, Rollestone—a site once held by the legendary Knights Hospitaller. Surrounded by centuries of history and the heavy atmosphere of a building designed for spiritual warfare, we’re unpacking the folklore that has kept us "Wyrdo's" talking for 100 episodes.In this episode, we explore:A Night of Wyrd
Folk Rebels & Outlaws feat. Eileen Budd (Screaming Skulls & Land Rights)
What happens when you mix giant outlaws, eerie supernatural warnings, and communities fiercely defending their right to the land? This week on Wyrd Wessex, co-hosts Craig and Andy welcome back author and storyteller Eileen Budd to wrap up a massive, sprawling conversation that bridges the folklore of England and the Scottish Highlands.Instead of postcard myths, we're diving into the gritty, shared
The Miracle of Brother Jucundus |WyrdLore
Welcome back to WyrdLore, our bonus series dedicated to the strange tales, local legends, and folklore that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show.In this episode, Andy and Craig travel to 15th-century York to uncover a tale from the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould’s Yorkshire Oddities, Incidents and Strange Events. We meet Brother Jucundus, a monk who joined St Leonard’s Priory during a particularly
Trump’s UFO Files, Secret Tunnels and the 24,000-Year-Old Zombie Worm | AfterWyrd
Welcome to an episode of AfterWyrd that proves the truth is often stranger (and smellier) than fiction. After a month-long hiatus due to Andy’s "cough-splatter" lung-rot, the Wyrdos reunite to tackle a massive backlog of weirdness. We’re moving from the linguistic mysteries of the afterlife—discussing why Geordie ghosts don’t just sing "Fog on the Tyne" at you—to the high-stakes world of Finnish A
The Otterman’s Ghost (The Curse of Camusfeàrna) | WyrdLore
In this episode of WyrdLore, we follow the journey of naturalist Gavin Maxwell, a man of the "faithless generation" who moved to the remote West Highland coast armed with scientific detachment, only to have his scepticism shattered by the inexplicable.From the shadow of the Isle of Skye, we explore a world where the Wyrd is a neighbour—where witches walk as cats and the sound o
The Haunting of Willington Mill
In 1835, a hardworking Quaker named Joseph Proctor moved his family into a three-storey powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. It should have been a crowning achievement for a man of "the plain truth," but the ground itself had other plans. For eleven years, the Proctor family lived in a state of siege, trapped in a house that could throw its own voice, walk through nailed-shut doors, and watch
The Cerne Abbas Beltane special
In this solo episode, Craig recovers from a 3:30 AM start to bring you the sights and sounds of Beltane at the top of the Cerne Abbas Giant. From the "Need-fire" rituals of the ancient world to the modern-day clatter of the Wessex Morris Men, we explore why this Dorset hillside remains the heartbeat of May Day in the West.We dig into the latest National Trust research that has redefined the Giant
WyrdLore: The Wild Man, Pixies, and River Hags
"That promise of wealth that just kind of vanishes whenever the fair folk are involved."Welcome back to WyrdLore, our bonus show dedicated to the strange tales and local legends that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show. In this session, Craig and Andy navigate the treacherous waters of British folklore, from the rugged cliffs of Cornwall to the silted ditches of Suffolk.We’re diving into Four Fo
Kelpies, Dragons, and Stolen Fairy Glass (Eileen Budd Returns)
What happens when you pit the high-octane, animistic folklore of the Scottish Highlands against the traditions of the English countryside? This week, Wyrd Wessex hosts Andy and Craig welcome back the legendary storyteller and author Eileen Budd for a cross-border "Céilidh" of the weird.In this episode, we explore the "Three Realms" of the Scottish unseen and discover that while our names for the m
Indrid Cold (The Grinning Man of Lanulos)
On a dark stretch of the I-77 in 1966, a hardworking salesman named Woodrow "Woody" Derenberger was pulled over by a craft that looked like a "charcoal burner" and a man with an impossible, unblinking grin. That man called himself Indrid Cold, and while the world eventually turned him into a sinister "Grinning Man" urban legend, the reality for the Derenberger family was a decade-long descent into
AfterWyrd: AI Boyfriends, Demon Aliens & the Gravesend Phrogger
Welcome to an episode of AfterWyrd that smells… well, a bit fleshy. While Craig turns the studio into a medieval tannery with drying deer skins, he recounts a bizarre dream about a bus-based library and the temptation of stealing folklore tomes. Meanwhile, Andy brings us a review of a very awkward "date night" with Nicolas Cage.We dive into the dark side of the digital age, from AI bots advising "
From Sequins to Spirits (The Mitch Garlington Story)
"I’m relying on spirit 100% to not make me look like a twat on stage."What happens when a professional Cher tribute act gets booed off stage in Worthing and ends up receiving messages from the dead in a Wiltshire bed shop? This week, Wyrd Wessex hosts Andy and Craig sit down with Mitch Garlington—a male witch, Reiki healer, and prominent psychic medium with one of the most colourful backstories in
The Penryn Tragedy
"It’s less Romeo and Juliet and more Sweeney Todd meets a Greek tragedy."Welcome to the debut of WyrdLore, our bonus series dedicated to the strange tales, local legends, and folklore that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show.In this first outing, Craig digs into a 17th-century "romance" from Robert Hunt’s Popular Romances of the West of England. But don't expect any Valentine’s cards—this is the
The Demon Drummer
Most people visit the rolling Salisbury Plain to find peace in the Wiltshire landscape, but in 1662, one manor house became a battlefield for a year of physical warfare. In this episode, the Wyrdos trace a phantom beat from a jail cell in Gloucester to a bedroom in North Tidworth, where an invisible drummer turned a family’s life into a living nightmare.We begin with John Mompesson, a local magist
Building the First Long Barrow in 5,000 Years (Tim Daw & The God Frequency)
Most people visit the ancient monuments of Wiltshire to wonder at the past, but the Avebury landscape is far from a stagnant museum—it is a living conversation. In this episode, the Wyrdos trace that conversation from the Neolithic core of Silbury Hill to a modern architectural marvel.We begin at the base of Silbury Hill, investigating the "Hollow Hill" and the secrets revealed by its recent
AfterWyrd: Prince Philip’s Secret Yeti, Armed War Rabbits & The 7ft Pigman
In this edition of AfterWyrd, Andy and Craig investigate a massive array of "Wyrd" news—from the highest reaches of the British Monarchy to the sugary depths of a log burner. We dive into the literal "rabbit hole" of Craig’s folklore library and ask: if the Duke of Edinburgh saw a Sasquatch, who are we to argue?The Wyrd News:Prince Philip’s Balmoral Sighting: Brian Blessed reveals that the Duke of
The Vertical Plane Part 2 (The 2109 Conspiracy)
What if the future didn't just want to talk—it wanted to negotiate? In 1985, the Doddleston "Vertical Plane" didn't just stay open; it became a temporal battlefield. As the BBC Micro flickers back to life, Ken and Debbie find themselves caught between a 16th-century High Sheriff who wants to weaponise the "leems" and a cold, clinical group of "Time Monsters" known as 2109.In this concluding part o
The Vertical Plane (The Doddleston Messages)
What if the ghost in your house wasn’t a Victorian lady in white, but a Tudor farmer who thought you were the spirit? In 1984, Ken Webster brought a borrowed BBC Micro into his 16th-century cottage in Doddleston, Cheshire. He expected a bit of basic computing; he didn’t expect his kitchen table to become a doorway.We explore the baffling case of the "Lucas" messages—sprawling, archaic English appe
AfterWyrd: Hospital Shadow People & the WWI Shell Incident
In this edition of AfterWyrd, Andy and Craig investigate a massive array of "Wyrd" news—from the liminal spaces of the hospital ward to the literal explosive hazards of antique collecting. We dive into a chilling listener account of "slithering" entities and ask: when the veil is thin, what exactly is looking back at us?The Wyrd News:Hospital Shadow People: A terrifying listener story from Rosie.
Britain’s Area 51: The Warminster Thing (Part 2)
Is there a 35-acre secret city buried beneath the Wiltshire chalk?In the final chapter of our investigation into the Warminster Thing, Andy and Craig leave the studio behind and head into the field. Standing in the shadow of Cley Hill and the high-security gates of RAF Rudloe Manor, the Wyrdos uncover the most mind-bending secrets of the 1960s UFO flap.From interdimensional beings delivering doors
The Warminster Thing
Have you ever felt an invisible force pin you to the ground while the air around you began to vibrate?In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, Craig and Andy head back to Christmas 1964 to investigate the birth of the UK’s most prolific UFO hotspot. What started as a terrifying "sonic vibration" that shook the town of Warminster soon escalated into a decade-long saga of "flying trains," orange orbs, and si
AfterWyrd: Big Cat DNA & Mushroom Hallucinations
In this edition of AfterWyrd, Andy and Craig shake off a viral fugue state to investigate a massive array of "Wyrd" news—from secret global UFO arms races to the mysterious "Little People" of Yunnan. We dive into the science of the Lanmaoa asiatica. mushroom, which reportedly grants diners visions of tiny elf-like figures, and ask: is it a hallucination, or a window into another realm?Special Gues
Phone Calls from the Dead
Have you ever received a phone call from someone who wasn't supposed to be there? In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, Craig and Andy dial into the unsettling world of Phone Calls from the Dead.We explore the groundbreaking research of D. Scott Rogo and Raymond Bayless, the men who literally wrote the book on phantom phone calls. From Thomas Edison’s secret "spirit phone" blueprints to modern-day texts
AfterWyrd: Sonic Weapons, Trump’s World Cup Bombshell, & The Hittite Death Curse
(This episode covers some disturbing material, so listener discretion is advised.)Join the Wyrdos as they kick off 2026 by delving into the latest high strangeness and unsettling news stories from the UK and beyond. From directed energy weapons to presidential "Disclosure" predictions, Craig Brooks and Andy Stevensnavigate the "trials and tribulations" of a new year.In This Episode'
The Alaska Triangle (Mike Ricksecker Returns)
In this episode, the Wyrdos welcome back modern-day explorer and Amazon bestselling author Mike Ricksecker for a mind-bending Part Two. We begin with a detour to the Giza Plateau to discuss startling new satellite scans and the potential discovery of the "Halls of Amenti," before deep-diving into the 600,000 square miles of high strangeness known as the Alaska Triangle.Why have over
Fairies: The Cottingley Hoax (Modern Sightings & The Fairy Census)
Fairies are often dismissed as Victorian folklore or Disney magic, but for over a century, the Cottingley Fairies have stood as one of the world's most debated supernatural mysteries. While many call it a childhood prank with paper cutouts, thousands of people are still reporting real fairy sightings today through the Fairy Census. Are these encounters just "tricks of the light," or are we glimpsi
Orchard Spirits & The Nine Herbs: A Saxon Toast Apples and Folklore
In this episode, Craig dives deep into the roots of the apple, from the ancient Nine Herbs Charm to the chaotic kidnapping of Idun by the giant Thjazi. We explore why the Saxon cry of Wassail echoed through history long before the Victorians got their hands on it, and why you should never, ever cross a Robin.The Show Notes: Roots, Rituals, and RevelryThe Origins of Wassail: Forget what you think y
The Real Stranger Things (Montauk Project & The man who shot Jesus)
Most people spent their weekends binging Stranger Things, watching grown-up kids on bikes fight monsters from the Upside Down. But what if the Hawkins Lab isn't just a Hollywood set? What if the "Upside Down" was inspired by a series of very real and very bizarre allegations involving psychic children, Nazi gold, and a time-travelling portal to Mars?This week, Craig and Andy&nb
The Ding Dong Merrily Christmas Horror (The Berry Man's Carol)
The Ding Dong Merrily Christmas Horror: The Berry Man's CarolWelcome to the Wyrd Wessex Christmas AfterWyrd Special,This year, Craig and Andy take a break from all the weird things in the news to present a piece of original festive horror: the terrifying true-ish story of a local investigation that went utterly wrong during the holiday season.In this fictional, bone-chilling narrative, the Wyrdo's
The Mummer’s Tale: Tradition, Tussles, and Resurrections (The Potterne Mummer’s Play)
In this episode, Craig sits down with Bob Berry of the Potterne Mummers to dive deep into the heart of a quintessential British folk tradition. From the "Turkish Knight" to "Little Man Jack," we explore the life, death, and comedic rebirth that defines the Potterne Mummer's Play.Stay tuned for the full play at the end of the episode.In this episode:The History of the Play: Bob shares his journey f
Dark Origins of Christmas: The Folk Horror Wild Hunt (Santa, Cryptids, & Die Hard)
Dark Origins of Christmas: The Folk Horror Wild HuntNOTE: This episode contains strong language and adult themes related to folklore and history.Merry Christmas! This year, the Wyrdo's dive into the dark origins of Christmas, exploring the unsettling pagan roots and folk horror tales that lie beneath the modern festive cheer. We welcome messages from friends including Eric Nelson (Bigfoot Collecti
AfterWyrd: Demonic Pan Jumper & Brain Weapons
Hello and welcome to AfterWyrd! My name is Andy, and I'm joined by Craig, and this is the place where we discuss all the strange, mysterious, and just downright odd things that didn't fit into the main podcast. This is our last AfterWyrd of the year, and it’s a packed one!In this episode's Wyrd News:Woken Up In The Coffin: The unbelievable story of a woman in Bangkok who was&nb
The Red Barn Murder
In 1827, Maria Marten vanished, but her secret wouldn't stay buried. A dark true crime story featuring a charming killer, William Corder, a shocking betrayal, and a mother whose terrifying, prophetic dreams revealed the exact spot of her daughter's remains beneath the floor of the Red Barn. We dive into the sensational trial, the gruesome public dissection, and the macabre fate of Corder's skin. A
AfterWyrd: Sandown Clown Prophecies & AI Bears
(This episode covers some disturbing material, so listener discretion is advised.)Join the Wyrdo's as they celebrate hitting 666 followers and delve into the latest high strangeness and unsettling news stories from the UK and beyond.In This Episode's Wyrd News:The Sandown Clown Prophecies: A massive update to the classic 1973 case! New documentation reveals the girl, Fay, met the en
Living Folklore: Dave Brewis on Community, Custodians, and the Gatherings Series
The Wyrdo's are honoured to welcome filmmaker Dave Brewis, the man behind the fascinating documentary series, Gatherings.Dave has spent years documenting the enduring traditions and living folklore that often get dismissed by mainstream media as "weird" or "eccentric." We dive deep into his unique observational philosophy—which uses "custodians, not commentators"—and why these custo
AfterWyrd: Slender Man Update, A Drunk Vicar & Countdown Stabbing!
Hello, and welcome to AfterWyrd! Craig and Andy are already in their Christmas tops, but don't let the festive cheer fool you – they're diving into some seriously dark and bizarre news this week!From shocking updates on the Slender Man case to a drunk vicar's car crash and an unbelievable stabbing at a Countdown tournament, plus a quick chat about Krampus and haunted pooping puppets. This episode
Krampus: The Anti-Santa
It’s the Christmas season, so forget the jingle bells! This week, the Wyrdo's dive into the dark heart of European Christmas folklore, exploring the chaotic, shaggy-haired creature who is here to punish the naughty, not just ignore them: Krampus!We explore the terrifying Alpine beast, his roots in ancient pagan worship, and the enduring need for a dark companion to Saint Nicholas.The Horned Horror
AfterWyrd: Hitler's Genetic Secret, Ozzy's Secret Daughter, & The Farting Velodrome
Hello and welcome to AfterWyrd, the home of the strange, the mysterious, and the downright odd news. The Wyrdo's are back with a bumper episode that covers everything from genetic analysis of the Führer to spectral flatulence in London.Hitler's Secret Genetic DisorderNew DNA analysis of a blood-stained cloth reveals that Hitler had a hidden genetic disorder that likely hindered the development of
Interview with Reverend Peter Laws
We are honoured to welcome Reverend Peter Laws, author, celebrated horror novelist, and host of the hit YouTube channel Into the Fog, to the show. Peter is an ordained minister, but he is known for his deep dive into the darkest corners of human fascination.In this deep philosophical and psychological episode, we discuss the core thesis of his acclaimed non-fiction book, The Frighteners, and why o
AfterWyrd: The Lion-Mouse, The Prophetic House & The Gun-Wielding Dog
Welcome back to AfterWyrd, your regular dose of the weird news, strange history, and chaotic stories that don't fit anywhere else!Andy and Craig dive into a chaotic mix of prophecy, AI, and misidentified animals, including:The Lion-Mouse: A terrifying big cat sighting in County Clare, Ireland, is solved by the Gardai... and the culprit is not a lion, but a friendly dog named Mouse&n
Bournemouth: Shelley's Heart and the Smuggler King
Did you know that Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, kept a calcified human heart wrapped in poetry in her desk drawer for decades?In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, we uncover the dark, gothic, and completely unexpected history of the South Coast. Far from just being a seaside resort, this area was the playground of the "Smuggler King" Isaac Gulliver—a man so brazen he faked his own
AfterWyrd: Ghostly Footsteps, Future Memories, & The Kevin James Conspiracy
Craig kicks off the show by proudly detailing his latest bookish adventures—a truly covetous purchase of a classic English folklore tome that he justified as a "medium rare" find. This segues perfectly into a spontaneous London trip that led to an encounter with disembodied footsteps in a dark room, and the cryptic message: "The owls are not what they seem."Wyrd News: The Grab-Bag of the Inexplica
The King Who Feared Witches: James I and the Dark Arts
Did you know the King of Great Britain was personally convinced that Satan was sending assassins to murder him and his Queen?In this harrowing episode of Wyrd Wessex, we dive into the paranoid mind of King James I and the destructive book he wrote, Daemonologie. Driven by his own trauma after surviving a supposed witchcraft attack at sea, James crafted a manual that turned folk healers into high-t
AfterWyrd: The Holy Prepuce, Miraculous Myrrh, & Butt-Breathing
The Wyrdo's are back with a bizarre, unholy, and downright weird edition of AfterWyrd.Craig kicks off by proudly detailing his latest bookish adventures—a truly covetous purchase of a classic English folklore tome that he justified as a "charity donation." This segues perfectly into an eye-watering discussion on holy oil and the unusual history of Christian relics, including the rather infamous fi
Guy Fawkes, Gunpowder, & The Rack (The Explosives Expert Who Didn't Start It) | Wyrd Wessex
This episode of Wyrd Wessex dives past the bonfires and Guy Fawkes effigies to reveal the true, dark, and desperate story of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. We uncover the horrifying religious persecution that turned a Protestant boy into a soldier prepared to commit high treason. We found enough gunpowder to blow up Parliament 25 times over...In This Episode, The Wyrdo's Detail:The Shocking Conversion:
The Ultimate Cryptid Tournament
This week, the Wyrdo's toss out the trick-or-treating in favor of a full-scale Cryptid Tournament, battling the world’s most dangerous and bizarre creatures against each other to crown a single champion.Using a custom deck of cards (blame the manufacturer!), we dive deep into the stats and lore to decide who would win in a fight.The Combatants & The LoreThe Shadow People: We explore
AfterWyrd: Ghostwatch, The Synth-Prime Minister, & Bored Aliens
It's the finale of Season Two and the Wyrdo's are fitting in all the wyrd news, strange stories, and other bits they couldn't squeeze into the main episodes!The Ghostwatch Deep Dive (1992)We launch into a deep dive on Ghostwatch (1992), discussing how this unsettling BBC programme, inspired by the Enfield Poltergeist, masterfully used trusted presenters like Michael Parkin
