The Selcouth Witch Podcast

The Selcouth Witch

Step in to a world where British folklore, dark history and the uncanny intertwine. Each episode Holly - researcher, storyteller and lover of Britain's forgotten past - explores tales of witches, hauntings, local legends and curious happenings that time has almost left behind. Whether you're drawn to true witchcraft history, dark folklore or simply enjoy a tale over a brew, The Selcouth Witch Podcast offers a space for curious folks, revealing how ancient tales continue to shape the world around us. 

Episodes

  1. Aug 7

    The Screaming Skull of Burton Agnes Hall - The Skull in the Walls

    At Burton Agnes Hall in East Yorkshire, one of England's strangest haunted-object legends has endured for centuries.   The story centres on Anne Griffith, whose violent death is said to have begun a disturbing chain of events. According to tradition, her dying wish was to remain within the walls of the home she loved. But when that wish was ignored, strange noises began to echo through the house - until her skull was supposedly returned to Burton Agnes Hall.   In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, I explore the history behind the Screaming Skull of Burton Agnes, the family connected to the tale and how a human skull became inseparable from one of Yorkshire's most enduring ghost stories.     Burton Agnes Hall, Screaming Skull, Haunted Britain, British Folklore, Haunted Objects, English Folklore, British Ghost Stories

    The Screaming Skull of Burton Agnes Hall - The Skull in the Walls

  2. Jun 14

    The Witch Panic of Pittenweem - Accusation, Fear and Murder

    In the small fishing town of Pittenweem, Fife, a teenage boy's accusations would help ignite one of Scotland's most disturbing late witch panics,   What began with claims of torment and witchcraft soon spiralled into suspicion, imprisonment, public cruelty and death. Among the accused was Janet Cornfoot, a woman whose name would become tied to one of the most brutal mob killings in Scottish witch trial history.   In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast , we explore the Pittenweem witch panic: the role of fear, rumour, religious authority and community hysteria in turning ordinary neighbours into supposed servant's of the devil.   This is not a tale of real witches, but of accusation, cruelty and terrible consequences of belief turned violent.   Themes: Scottish witch trails, Pittenweem, Janet Cornfoot, witch panic, folklore, history, religious fear, mob violence, early modern Scotland.

  3. May 4

    The Dandelion - Wishes, Warnings and the Weed That Wouldn't Die.

    In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we wander into the folklore of the dandelion - a familiar little flower often dismissed as a weed, but rich with old meanings.   From childhood wishes and fairy clocks to weather lore, love divination, folk medicine and wonderfully blunt warning of "piss-a-bed", the dandelion has carried far more than seeds on the wind.   Join Holly, The Selcouth Witch, for a gentle spring episode exploring the strange, charming and surprisingly practical history of one of Britain's most overlooked plants.   Topics: dandelion folklore - spring folklore - folk magic -folk medicine - fairy clocks - weather lore - childhood folklore - superstition

    The Dandelion - Wishes, Warnings and the Weed That Wouldn't Die.

  4. Mar 31

    Rituals of Easter - Sun Dancing, Faith & Folklore

    Step into the quieter, older side of Easter... In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we explore the rituals, folklore and traditions that sit beneath the surface of a celebration many of us in Britain have grown up with. From sunrise gatherings and sun dancing, to church customs, superstitions and curious beliefs once taken very seriously... Easter reveals itself as more than chocolate eggs and springtime joy. Blending faith, folklore and a touch of the uncanny, this episode uncovers how ancient traditions and Christian practices have intertwined over time - leaving behind traces still today. Whether you celebrate Easter for its religious meaning, its seasonal joy or simply as part of British culture... there is a deeper story waiting to be told.    Topics: Easter Folklore. Easter traditions UK, British folklore, spring rituals, Ostara, Pagan Easter origins, Easter superstitions

  5. Mar 22

    The Leveson Street Murders - The Gleeson Case

    In 1849, a quiet street in Liverpool became a scene of a brutal and deeply unsettling crime. The Leveson Street Murders shocked the local community, drawing attention to a case marked by suspicion, witness testimony and a swift arrest that would grip the city. In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we examine the events surrounding the murders, the investigation that followed and the arrest of Gleeson. Through historical accounts and recorded details, we explore how the crime unfolded and what it reveals about justice in Victorian Liverpool.

    The Leveson Street Murders - The Gleeson Case

  6. Mar 15

    The Black Dog of Newgate - A Prison Legend of Fear and Death

    Deep within the walls of Newgate Prison, one of England's most feared and infamous prisons, prisoners spoke of a terrifying presence that roamed the dark corridors at night. A great black dog, with glowing eyes and a silent tread, said to appear when death was near. In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we explore the chilling legend of The Black Dog of Newgate - a tale rooted in prison folklore, fear, disease and the brutal realities of the life inside one of London's darkest institutions. Was the creature simply superstition born from desperation and gaol fever … or something far stranger? Join me as we step back into the shadowed cells of Newgate and uncover one of England's most unsettling prison legends.

    The Black Dog of Newgate - A Prison Legend of Fear and Death

  7. Feb 28

    The Hand of Glory - Thieves, Folklore and The Whitby Relic.

    In the shadows of 18th-century Britain, there existed an object so feared it was said to freeze the living where they stood. A severed hand, taken from the gallows. Dried, preserved and lit like a candle. A thief's talisman... Known as The Hand of Glory. In this episode of The Selcouth Witch Podcast, we explore the true historical origins of The Hand of Glory - its use in folklore, its connection to crime and cunning craft and the strange rituals said to bring it to life. Was it superstition? A criminal tool? Or something darker? Step carefully into the past, where justice burned low and superstition burned bright.

  8. 10/26/2025

    Sweet F.A - The Innocence Lost to History

    In August 1867, in the quiet market town of Alton, Hampshire, an eight-year old set out to play in the meadow with her sister and a friend. By nightfall only two would return. The murder that followed would horrify Victorian England and give rise to a phrase still spoken today - " Sweet F.A." In this episode, The Selcouth Witch uncovers the true story behind those words. Listener discretion is advised.

  9. 09/15/2025

    Cunning Murrell - The Last Cunning Man of Essex?

    Step into the misty lanes of 19th-century Hadleigh, Essex, where fear and superstition ruled the night. Discover the chilling tale of Cunning Murrell- a man known as healer, sorcerer and dealer in the dark bargains. Was he a protector of his village or the very source of their terror? Listen now as we uncover his legacy of mystery, magic and fear.   #Folklore#BritishHistory#CunningMurrell#TheSelcouthWitchPodast

  10. 08/31/2025

    The Ghost of St Paul's - The James Gaskell Tragedy

    Beneath the quiet green space that was once St Paul's in Portwood lies a history few truly know. In this episode The Selcouth Witch Podcast, Holly explores the forgotten life and community shaped by change, tragedy and remembrance. Join me in this mini episode as I uncover a story rooted in my home town Stockport's past - one that lingers long after the church walls have gone.

  • 10 Episodes

About

Step in to a world where British folklore, dark history and the uncanny intertwine. Each episode Holly - researcher, storyteller and lover of Britain's forgotten past - explores tales of witches, hauntings, local legends and curious happenings that time has almost left behind. Whether you're drawn to true witchcraft history, dark folklore or simply enjoy a tale over a brew, The Selcouth Witch Podcast offers a space for curious folks, revealing how ancient tales continue to shape the world around us. 

Information

  • Creator
    The Selcouth Witch
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Selcouth Witch Podcast