History, Folkore and the Supernatural
Timeslip stories from Rougham and Kersey recount eerie experiences where people see houses suddenly appear and step into empty villages from another era. These haunting encounters blur time, creating a chilling sense of stepping into the past, leaving witnesses unsettled by the mysterious and ghostly nature of these visions.
Newcastle upon Tyne is best known for its proud history of industry, its football club, and its vibrant nightlife. Many people who walk the busy streets of the Toon, are unfamiliar with its dark history: real life witch trials, public executions, and of course, the terrifying Vampire Rabbit of Newcastle!
The Royal Victoria Patriotic Asylum for Girls was founded in 1859 through the Royal Patriotic Fund to house and train daughters of soldiers and sailors killed in the Crimean War. Behind its grand Gothic façade, many girls endured harsh discipline, cold dormitories, neglect, and abuse instead of the care they deserved.
Greyfriar's in the City of London is reputedly haunted by two women locked in a bitter rivalry. Despite their ghostly feud, they never met in life, having been born 200 years apart. Their restless spirits are said to haunt the site, fuelling eerie tales of unresolved conflict.
2025 marks 350 years of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. While Halley, Bradley, Flamsteed, and Dyson are famous, many contributors like Rev. James Pound remain forgotten. Yet their work was vital, accelerating discoveries in astronomy. Honouring these overlooked figures reminds us that great achievements rely on many unsung heroes.
In the centre of Bristol, there stands on Corn Street, a handsome and richly decorated Georgian building. This building which once housed the Bristol Corn Exchange has a very unusual feature – a clock with dual-minute hands.
Arguably, one of the most visited and famous objects in the V A, is the Great Bed of Ware. Looking at it you might ask Why? It's just a bed. However, peel back the covers and the history and folklore surrounding the bed will reveal how truly special it is.
Medieval Transi/Cadaver tombs are shockingly macabre. They depict a sculpture of the deceased in an advanced state of decomposition, sunken eyes, prominent ribs, even covered in toads, snakes and vermin. Who chose this type of memorial and what do they symbolise?
In many places in the British Isles, you'll find legends telling of frightening supernatural creatures, who seek to harm humans. These creatures often inhabit lonesome, desolate or dangerous places. Many of these stories sought to warn people to take care, as you never know who or what you'll meet.
Charles Smith was hanged for murder in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1817, but that wasn’t the end of his story. Find out more about the macabre afterlife of Charles Smith and listen to Lenora chat about it on the Voices from the North East Podcast.