In the ever-expanding realm of paranormal documentaries, where over-the-top theatrics often overshadow genuine storytelling, "Somerset Supernatural," produced by Shackleton Films Limited, emerges as a beacon of authenticity. This observational docum…
Shropshire is a ghost ridden place. It seems as if every quiet corner hums with the spirits of the past and wherever you turn, you are walking upon well-trod ground. Scattered across these ‘Blue remembered hills’ are vibrant tales passed…
‘Long ago the Banshee was heard crying. She cries for a lot of families’: The Death Omens of Ireland. Ireland has been an island long associated with stories of death, traditions, and folklore. As far back as primary school,…
Origins of Dunster Dunster, situated at the threshold of the ancient landscape of Exmoor, holds a significant place in the history of the south-west of England. Evidently, the hill upon which Dunster Castle now stands was the location of an I…
Japan is a country teeming with spirits and ghosts. At least that’s what it feels like. After three decades of living here as an American expat, this is still one of the most fascinating aspects of the culture to me. But why the abundance of o…
Deep in Somerset lies Wookey Hole, a series of fascinating limestone caverns that have held onto their secrets for millennia. These caves have long been intertwined with tales of the supernatural, myths of witches, and strange unexplainable occurren…
Nearly two years ago, when I decided to write the book that would eventually be entitled A Magical World, my primary motivation for embarking on such a time-consuming labor was personal. Throughout my entire life (especially starting around the year…
My new book, Dogsygen, celebrates the Secret Lives of Dogs in a number of different ways. ('Dogsygen' is dogs + oxygen: the whole daily ecology of dog fun, sociability and delight in nature which dogs offer us all across the world.) It showcases som…
Nestled in the shadows of Brampton, England, lurks the eerie legend of Gervase Matcham, a man whose soul was forever shackled by the weight of a heinous crime. Tales of his spectral presence wandering between two local pubs have permeated the quaint…
Edgar Allan Poe emerges as an uncanny harbinger of macabre fate. His eerie tales, like ominous incantations whispered from the abyss, conjure a world where reality and fiction intermingle in a dance of chilling synchronicity. Among the myriad tales …
Colonial Park Cemetery of Savannah, GA is one of the oldest cemeteries in the state and is the oldest in the city. It was previously known as the “Old Cemetery,” before it became a park and received burials for over a century, from 1750 …
The pursuit of justice has often taken peculiar and, by today's standards, inexplicable forms. Long before the advent of modern forensic science, which includes DNA analysis, fingerprinting, and bloodstain pattern analysis, courts relied on rituals …
Mysteries of Warwickshire WitchcraftWarwickshire, a picturesque county in the heart of England, is renowned for its charming landscapes, historic towns, and associations with notable figures from the world of magic and witchcraft. From the birthpl…
There once was a young man at Nunhead,Who woke in a coffin of lead;“It is cosy enough,”He remarked in a buff,“But I wasn’t aware I was dead.” The Perils of Premature Burial (1905)Cemeteries gain a r…
Unravelling the Enigma of Coker HillThe Coker Hill poltergeist case stands as a captivating and mysterious incident that unfolded in the quaint hamlet of Coker Hill in Somerset, southern England, during the latter part of the 19th century. This en…
The UK's rail network, dating back to 1825, stands as a testament to centuries of history and the countless passengers who have traversed its tracks. Yet, beneath the clatter of wheels and the hustle of commuters, a shroud of ghostly tales and inexp…
The Great Western Railway, a marvel of engineering and history, weaves stories not only of steam engines and pioneering spirit but also of the supernatural. As trains whistle through picturesque landscapes, they carry with them whispers of phantom a…
In the haunting tapestry of execution ballads, the melodies play a role as evocative as the words themselves. These ballads, immortalising tales of crime, compassion, and retribution, often wove their narratives into familiar tunes. A tradition span…
The Art Of Dying In the midst of the religious and spiritual fervour of the medieval era, a literary and artistic movement emerged that focused on the art of dying, known as the ‘Ars Moriendi’. This Latin term translates to "The A…
Nandor Fodor, a prominent figure in the world of parapsychology and psychic research, has left an indelible mark on the exploration of the supernatural. Born on October 13, 1895, in Hungary, Fodor's journey into the realm of the unexplained was char…
Imagine yourself transported to a small Romanian village in the 1920s, where a young girl named Eleonore Zugun became entangled in a hair-raising poltergeist phenomenon that reverberated across the globe. Envision objects taking flight, inexplicable…
To listen to the podcast click hereTo order the book click hereA pamphlet from 1624 describes a very intriguing, if brutal, account of the murder of a man from a small Somerset village called Old Cleeve. Mr Trat was the curate (parish priest) of…
Scotland's history is stained with a harrowing chapter of witch trials that spanned several centuries, leaving a haunting legacy of persecution and suffering. Accusations of witchcraft were rampant, and those accused faced dreadful methods of tortur…
It is often said that the Welsh have been unfairly associated with a morbid fascination, owing to the abundance of stories and superstitions surrounding omens of doom and portents of death that have thrived in the country. While these beliefs may ha…