Wyrd Folk

The Holly and the Ivy is the beautiful traditional carol which themes our 2025 Christmas special. Full of mid-winter imagery, the carol showcases the symbolism of English country Christmas customs and Christian imagery. Join us for two stories of midwinter greenery, the joy of music for the festive season and links to mid-winter festivals such as Yule and local folklore.Check us out on Instagram @wyrd.folkpod for up-to-date show news.Also, make sure to check out our website www.wyrdfolkpod.com to see more details from the show.

The Hedley Kow is a devilish sprite, keen to play tricks on the unwary and the trusting. A shapeshifter, the kow can often be found duping the unsuspecting with the illusion of gold, until it meets its match in a woman so happy with her lot in life that she doesn't mind her changing fortune. This charming fairytale from Northumberland is the perfect pantomime tonic for the festive season.

On the Orkney Islands, they tell the story of the changing seasons through the eternal battle between the goddess Mither and her counterpart- the terrible storm god Teran. When the weather turns and the storms roll in, they battle in the deeps, bringing thunderous weather and much needed change. Join us for two tales of the force of the sea and the eternal pull of the tides.

On the lonely lanes of early Victorian London, a fiend lurks in the shadows to frighten young maidens. This hellish figure is reported to have metallic claws, horns, breathe fire and can leap ten-foot walls in a single bound. But who is he? Is he a fiend from the pit of hell, or is he just a bored nobleman with a grudge?Remember to vote for your favourite story on our episode blog once you've listened to the show.

For our one-year anniversary episode, we are delving into the ghostly happenings at a luxury country hotel in the Cotswolds. The beautiful Lygon Arms, with its oak-panelled dining room and cosy fires, is just the place to enjoy a winter ghost story. Restored by Sydney B Russell, the father of the great furniture designer Gordon Russell, the hotel is both modern and ancient; here, the staff whisper tales of ghostly knocking in the King Charles Room, a spectral child haunts the halls, and even the guests must beware of the touch of a cold hand in the darkness. This Halloween, join us for two tales of the ancient, haunted inn.

This spooky short was originally written for Season 2 Episode 2: The Cauld Lad of Hylton. Now a ruin, Hylton Castle is known in local legend for the brutal murder of a poor stable lad, whose restless ghost still wandered the halls of the castle after he was slaughtered by the lord of the manor. The Cauld Lad can find no peace or rest until someone warms his bones for him. Listen to the full episode for Sam's take on the story and the background to the legend.