FolkLands

In todays episode we are tracking down the elusive and often misunderstood witch of Leicester. Black Annis. Local tales tell of her blue skin and liking for stealing away children should they stray into her lair then skinning them to add to her dress, her bower strewn with bones. Or is this not quite as true as we were had to believe, could she have been an anchorite nun living alone in the woods, a herbalist, a catholic, or simply a woman who decided to her live her life the way she wanted to and the threat that posed to the men of the town? There is so much to uncover in this amazing tale that touches on Shakespearian kings, ancient paganism and even the Hindu deity Kali. We are helped along the way by the incredible Black Annis Morris Group and our investigations lead us to a very secret location in the Dane Hills.The wonderful Nina Wadia reads from Hansel and Gretel. Enjoy!

On this weeks episode we explore the folklore that was part of the best years of our lives, or so they say, Playground lore.From marbles and jacks, to tag and skipping, kicking and kissing whilst not forgetting all the ghost and ghouls that roam the back of the design area, we explore it all with the help of the Opie archive and the brilliant and playful Julia Bishop, Yinka Olusoga and Catherine Bannister from Sheffield University.Our readings this week come from the wonderful Matt Horne who tells us everything you will need to know about marbles.Relive those wonderful playground days of having to 'Gull a Plonk' with your best 'dobber'.Good times. Enjoy!

In today's episode we go stone bothering. We begin in Leicester with the now largely forgotten Wishing Stone of Bradgate Park, a large granite menhir overlooking the babbling River Lin. We then go on the hunt for one of the most cursed stones of these ancient lands, the Humberstone, now terrifyingly placed between a KFC and a Halfords.We end with a pilgrimage to the Rollright Stones of Oxfordshire, to explore their occult history and its colourful relationship with ceremonial magician William Gray in the 1970s.This week the very wonderful Mandip Gill reads from Eleanor Hull's, 1928 book Folklore of The British Isles.Expect curses, hearses and crisps. enjoy!

On today's episode we explore everything from 1970s top secret nuclear bunkers to Tolkein's mines of Moria. Phil 'The Tunnel Inspector' Catling takes us down the rabbit hole stopping off in Alan Garner's Brisingaman via Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising. Expect dystopian futures, ancient barrows, sigils of lost civilisations and darkening skies.Also the brilliant Rik Rankin, star of Outlander and Rebus, reads form George MacDonalds 'The Princess & The Goblin.'Enjoy!

In todays episode we delve into the dark tunnels and shadowy corners of the underworld. First we are in the lime caves of Dorking for tales of robbers and dark forgotten secrets, we then head over to Chislehurst where Roman, Saxon and Druidic tunnels lead us down into the depths of a blood soaked past. Beware what lies beneath! Enjoy

In todays episode we go rummaging through the undergrowth to explore the amazing world of Plant with the brilliant Roy Vickery. We discover how Ivy is good for trousers, bramble is lucky for cows and why you must always sit in a hawthorn tree.Roy can be found at his website plant-lore.comAnd the very wonderful Sophie Skelton reads from A WItch's Guide to Gardening by Dorothy Jacob. Enjoy!

On todays show we explore the mysterious Knucker, blood thirsty water serpents unique to Sussex who are said to live in bottomless wells and attack villagers. Expect totem poles, jam and a truly horrific ending to Red Riding Hood.We talk to the brilliant Dr Paul Quinn, Director of Folklore and Fairy Tales at Chichester University and the wonderful Matthew Lewis reads from Bram Stokers 'The Lair of The White Worm.' Enjoy!

In todays episode we explore two of the most infamous buildings in England! First up is the most haunted house in England, the extremely eerie Borley Rectory and then we zip over to Polstead to explore The Murder in the Red Barn, scene of one of the most horrific and brutal crimes in English criminal history, but what came after is even worse.We are joined by the wonderful Edward Parnell as we get lost down country lanes and stumble into hidden ponds.And the brilliant Craig Parkinson reads from the Ballard of Maria Marten. Enjoy!