
Folkways: The Folklore of Britain and Ireland
A stroll through the rich and fascinating folklore of Britain and Ireland. From music, to psychogeography, to what to do if you notice the devil following you to church. It's a long, strange trip and there are no guarantees you'll be home in time for dinner.
Each episode also includes a mini-almanac for the month ahead.
If you enjoy this show, feel free to buy me a coffee https://bit.ly/2SWoNqH
Music by @big.big.sky | Additional artists referenced in each episode | Logo design James Fisher
Latest episodes

May 1, 2022 • 34min
(S2E3) FOLKLORE (WHY BOTHER?) Part 1: The Land
Welcome to the first episode in our unique series Folklore (Why Bother?) Part 1: The Land
Men who eat Ringforts https://bit.ly/3KysPxT
🤝 Become a Friend of Folkways 💎 https://bit.ly/34awiDB
🎧 Soundtrack by @big.big.sky https://spoti.fi/3hwjFG4
📺 Folkways Youtube https://bit.ly/3hIwlcZ
☕️ Buy me a coffee https://bit.ly/3dxssVw
💌 Get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com
👋 Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel

Apr 3, 2022 • 52min
(S2E2) 🔔 THE BELLS OF MINSMERE, Part 2
The show returns with the second instalment of atmospheric folk tale The Bells of Minsmere.
Also included is April's mini-almanac, where we wash white lions in the tower of London, buy some striped paint, as well as beg for eggs at our neighbours' doors.
🤝 Become a Friend of Folkways 💎 https://bit.ly/34awiDB
🎧 Soundtrack by @big.big.sky https://spoti.fi/3hwjFG4
📺 Folkways Youtube https://bit.ly/3hIwlcZ
☕️ Buy me a coffee https://bit.ly/3dxssVw
💌 Get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com
👋 Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel
| LINKS + SOURCES |
The Bells of Minsmere is a folk tale that has almost disappeared. It has been compiled from our own orally-collected sources, combined with Kirsty Hartsiotis's excellent work in the publication below.
Hartsiotis, Kirsty 'Suffolk Folk Tales'. Gloucestershire: The History Press https://bit.ly/3KffGtO
Hill, Susan 'The Magic Apple Tree'. London: Hamish Hamilton https://amzn.to/3JwpFvn
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Ditchfield, P.H. 'Old English Customs: Extant at the Present Time'. (London: Methuen, 1896) https://bit.ly/3vMRKKf
Dunlop and Tirion 'Night Sky Almanac: A Stargazer's guider to 2022'. (Glasgow: Collins, 2021) https://amzn.to/3FTHfqL
Hutton, Ronald 'The Stations of The Sun'. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997) https://bit.ly/3hG1Wft
Lagram, Anne Marie 'Country Wisdom and Folklore Almanac'. (Talking Trees Books, 2020) https://www.talkingtreesbooks.co.uk
Leendertz, Lia 'The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2022'. (London: Gaia/Octopus Publishing Group, 2021) https://www.lialeendertz.com/
Roud, Steve 'The English Year'. (London: Penguin Books, 2008) https://bit.ly/3txP9RQ
Wright, Jonathan 'The Forager's Calendar'. (London: Profile Books Ltd, 2019) https://www.foragerscalendar.net

Mar 1, 2022 • 50min
(S2E1) 🔔 THE BELLS OF MINSMERE, Part 1
A warm welcome to the first episode of Season 2, where we're heading deep into the marshes for the Bells of Minsmere.
Also included is March's mini-almanac, where we muse the Spring Equinox, do some 'shriving' and learn the true origin of Mothering Sunday.
Soundtrack to The Bells of Minsmere by Big Big Sky https://spoti.fi/3hwjFG4
🤝 Become a Friend of Folkways 💎 https://bit.ly/34awiDB
☕️ Buy me a coffee https://bit.ly/3dxssVw
💌 Get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com
📺 Folkways Youtube https://bit.ly/3hIwlcZ
👋 Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel
| LINKS + SOURCES |
The Bells of Minsmere is a folk tale that has almost disappeared. It has been compiled from our own orally-collected sources, combined with Kirsty Hartsiotis's work (see below). Please become a Friend of Folkways to review more detailed show notes.
Hartsiotis, Kirsty 'Suffolk Folk Tales'. Gloucestershire: The History Press https://bit.ly/3KffGtO
Hill, Susan 'The Magic Apple Tree'. London: Hamish Hamilton https://amzn.to/3JwpFvn
--------
Ditchfield, P.H. 'Old English Customs: Extant at the Present Time'. (London: Methuen, 1896) https://bit.ly/3vMRKKf
Dunlop and Tirion 'Night Sky Almanac: A Stargazer's guider to 2022'. (Glasgow: Collins, 2021) https://amzn.to/3FTHfqL
Hutton, Ronald 'The Stations of The Sun'. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997) https://bit.ly/3hG1Wft
Lagram, Anne Marie 'Country Wisdom and Folklore Almanac'. (Talking Trees Books, 2020) https://www.talkingtreesbooks.co.uk
Leendertz, Lia 'The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2022'. (London: Gaia/Octopus Publishing Group, 2021) https://www.lialeendertz.com/
Roud, Steve 'The English Year'. (London: Penguin Books, 2008) https://bit.ly/3txP9RQ
Wright, Jonathan 'The Forager's Calendar'. (London: Profile Books Ltd, 2019) https://www.foragerscalendar.net

Dec 21, 2021 • 1h 31min
(BONUS) 📕 GHOST STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS: The Darker side of Yule (Chat with Eerie Essex) Winter Solstice | Folk Horror | Traditions
Solstice greetings! The longest night of the year is upon us.
To help pass the dark hours, why not listen to this conversation between Folkways and Eerie Essex, in which we contemplate the darker side of this time of year.
☕️ If you enjoyed, feel free to buy me a coffee https://bit.ly/3dxssVw
💌 If you have any thoughts on today’s show, please get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com
🤝 Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel

Dec 24, 2020 • 1h 9min
(S1E7) 🦌 A SLEIGH RIDE THROUGH CHRISTMAS: The Solstice to Santa
It's Christmas Eve! Wrap up warm, pour yourself a mulled cider and hop on board as tonight we take a sleigh ride through Christmas. We're visiting Newgrange for the Winter Solstice, dropping by on a Roman Saturnalia, as well as encountering the Holly King and that jolly Saint Nick.
If you enjoyed, feel free to buy me a coffee https://bit.ly/3dxssVw
If you have any thoughts on today’s show, please get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com | Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel
Music by Big Big Sky @big.big.sky | Excluding Many Points of Light by Judson Lee | Christmas piano carols by Roberto Diana

Dec 14, 2020 • 48min
(S1E6) 💧 STILL WATERS RUN DEEP, Part 3: Reflections
The final instalment in our popular mini-series Still Waters Run Deep. Today we hike through both Snowdonia and the Otherworld as we discover further tales of the Gwragedd Annwn, or, the ladies of the lakes.
☕️ If you enjoyed, feel free to buy me a coffee https://bit.ly/3dxssVw
💌 If you have any thoughts on today’s show, please get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com
🤝 Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel
Soundtrack by Big Big Sky @big.big.sky | Excluding Many Points of Light by Judson Lee
| LINKS + SOURCES |
Myddfai Memories https://bit.ly/2WboSIN (with thanks to William Britton)
Davies, Jonathan Ceredig 'Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales' Ebook, P. 93 https://bit.ly/3mk5Fio
Further discussion of Nelferch from lake Llyn y Forwyn https://bit.ly/2Lq8zp9
Folklore of the Welsh Lakes overview https://bit.ly/3nJWLfm.
Sikes, Wirt (1880) ‘British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions’. Reprint, Glastonbury: The Lost Library, 2010 https://bit.ly/3lCV95U
Ralls-Maclead, Karen (2000) 'Music and the Celtic Otherworld'. Edinburgh: Polygon https://bit.ly/37n3Ugx
Stevenson, Peter ‘Welsh Folk Tales’ Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2017 https://bit.ly/3nSqR10
Soundtrack by Big Big Sky @big.big.sky | Excluding Many Points of Light by Judson Lee

Nov 15, 2020 • 41min
(S1E5) 💧 STILL WATERS RUN DEEP, Part 2: The Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach concludes
We’re returning to our exploration of the the Ladies of the Lakes as we rejoin Rhiwallon in the Brecon Beacons, as the dramatisation of the lady of Llyn y Fan Fach concludes. The second episode in a three-part mini-series.
☕️ If you enjoyed, feel free to buy me a coffee https://bit.ly/3dxssVw
💌 If you have any thoughts on today’s show, please get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com
🤝 Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel
Soundtrack by Big Big Sky @big.big.sky | Excluding Many Points of Light by Judson Lee | Maenwen and Rhiwallon played by voice actors Ruth Pownall and Dafydd.
| LINKS + SOURCES |
1. Llyn y Fan Fach and directions (Coordinates 51°52′55″N 3°44′31″W) https://bit.ly/36YfNrx
Folklore of the Welsh Lakes https://bit.ly/3nJWLfm.
YHA Youth Hostel Info https://bit.ly/395p5Vr.
Sikes, Wirt (1880) ‘British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions’. Reprint, Glastonbury: The Lost Library, 2010 https://bit.ly/3lCV95U
Stevenson, Peter ‘Welsh Folk Tales’ Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2017 https://bit.ly/3nSqR10

Oct 11, 2020 • 33min
(S1E4) 💧 STILL WATERS RUN DEEP, Part 1: Ladies of the Lakes
Today we’re getting out our hiking boots and heading into the mountains to dive into the world of the Gwragedd Annwn: the water women of the Welsh lakes. We start with the most famous lake lady of all - the keeper of Excalibur in the legends of King Arthur - before finding ourselves in the Brecon Beacons for the story of Rhiwallon and the Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach. The first of a three-part mini-series.
☕️ If you enjoyed, feel free to buy me a coffee https://bit.ly/3dxssVw
💌 If you have any thoughts on today’s show, please get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com
🤝 Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel
🎧 Soundtrack by Big Big Sky @big.big.sky https://spoti.fi/3wqTA2d | Excluding Many Points of Light by Judson Lee
| LINKS + SOURCES |
Sikes, Wirt (1880) ‘British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions’. Reprint, Glastonbury: The Lost Library, 2010 https://bit.ly/3lCV95U
Stevenson, Peter ‘Welsh Folk Tales’ Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2017 https://bit.ly/3nSqR10
Malory, Thomas (1485) ‘Le Morte D’Arthur’. Reprint, Independently published, 2019 https://amzn.to/2FiGmhl

Sep 5, 2020 • 46min
(S1E3) 🌾 EAST ANGLIAN LANDSCAPE + LORE: Interview with Rob Jones of Black Dog Zine
We’re talking to Rob Jones of Black Dog Zine - a striking new publication looking at East Anglian landscape and lore. We talk cities that fell in the sea, black dogs, white dogs and green children. Plus our relationship with the landscape around us, experimental music scenes, “deep touristing” and the lingering touch of MR James. Not to be missed!
☕️ If you enjoyed, feel free to buy me a coffee
💌 If you have any thoughts on today’s show, please get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com
🤝 Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel
🎧 Soundtrack by Big Big Sky @big.big.sky https://spoti.fi/3wqTA2d | Excluding Many Points of Light by Judson Lee
| LINKS + SOURCES |
Black Dog Zine www.blackdogzine.co.uk Instagram @blackdogzine
Newell, Martin (1999) 'Black Shuck: The Ghost Dog of Eastern England'. https://bit.ly/2ZE9I0y
Mike Burgess, 'Shuckland: The biggest collection anywhere of East Anglian legends and encounters with the ghostly hound Black Shuck' https://bit.ly/35A71Rz
Mike Burgess, 'Hidden East Anglia: Landscape Legends of Eastern England' http://www.hiddenea.com
Abraham Fleming, 'A Strange and Terrible Wunder' Original pamphlet published in 1578 https://bit.ly/3lVr6rm
Unlikely Records https://bit.ly/2RsEvJu
Leendertz, Lia (2019) 'The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2020.' London: Octopus Publishing Group Ltd. https://bit.ly/3iqf72N
Toulson, Shirley (1979) 'East Anglia: Walking the Ley Lines and Ancient Tracks'. London: Wildwood House. https://bit.ly/2ZEoXqp
Adam Scovell, ’“No Diggin’ ‘Ere!” Revisiting the ghostly locations of A Warning to the Curious’ BFI.org.uk, 28 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2QW92Pl

Jul 18, 2020 • 38min
(S1E2) 🔥 MIDSUMMER, Part 2: Burn Baby Burn! Love, Bonfires and Botany.
Welcome to the show's second episode on Midsummer! We're taking a deep-dive into the customs surrounding the Summer Solstice - from fires on the hill tops of Ireland, dreaming of your future lover, to the occult past of St John's Wort.
☕️ If you enjoyed, feel free to buy me a coffee
💌 If you have any thoughts on today’s show, please get in contact folkwayschannel@gmail.com
🤝 Connect with Folkways on Instagram or Twitter @folkwayschannel
🎧 Soundtrack by Big Big Sky @big.big.sky https://spoti.fi/3wqTA2d | Excluding Many Points of Light by Judson Lee
Additional thanks to voice actor Johnpaul Wright.