General Witchfinders

About General Witchfinders

General Witchfinders: The British Horror PodcastWelcome to General Witchfinders, a podcast dedicated to the dark heart of British horror and classic Hammer horror films – officially selected for permanent preservation in the British Library’s National Sound Archive.If you are passionate about British horror cinema, Hammer films, classic folk horror, Nigel Kneale’s Quatermass, and the chilling legacy of British supernatural television, this is the podcast for you.Hosted by lifelong friends Ross, Jon, and James, General Witchfinders dives deep into the world of British horror, gothic cinema, and unsettling archive television.We explore everything from Hammer horror’s blood-drenched vampire classics – starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing – to the eerie landscapes of The Wicker Man, Tigon’s The Creeping Flesh, and Amicus anthology films.Whether it is cinematic British horror icons like Dracula AD 1972 and The Curse of Frankenstein, modern independent UK folk horror like Possum and In The Earth, or sci-fi horror thrillers like Event Horizon and The Medusa Touch, we unearth the films that shaped the genre.We cover the definitive British sci-fi horror of Nigel Kneale – including The Quatermass Xperiment, Quatermass 2, Quatermass and the Pit, The Stone Tape, and his terrifying TV anthology series Beasts.Our episodes shine a spotlight on classic British horror literature, including the tales of James Herbert from The Rats to The Survivor, alongside vintage television gems like the BBC’s Ghost Stories for Christmas (Whistle and I’ll Come to You, The Ash Tree), Doomwatch, Tales of the Unexpected, Inside No. 9, Ghostwatch, and classic Doctor Who horror stories like The Dæmons and Horror of Fang Rock.Expect thoughtful commentary, dry wit, and nostalgic tangents about 1980s and 90s British culture. Beyond the Podcast We also publish the independent General Witchfinders horror zine and host live podcast events and film screenings for the UK horror community.General Witchfinders is your premier audio guide to British horror, Hammer films, folk horror, Quatermass, and everything that makes the UK’s supernatural tradition uniquely haunting. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or grab our latest horror zine and live event tickets at www.generalwitchfinders.com (https://www.generalwitchfinders.com). Listener Reviews“Really entertaining and insightful. About half a dozen episodes done so far, and all on horror/supernatural things I personally love and wanted to hear more about. Lots of new facts and just downright entertaining takedowns. Great work.” – 5 Stars *****🦴 “If you’re looking for a fun chat about vintage British horror and sci-fi, then this is the podcast for you.” – 5 Stars *****Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders (http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Ross, Jon & James | Exploring Cult British Horror Films, TV & Books

Category

tv & film · tv & film · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

3 Jan 2021

Latest episode

21 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

119 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Sept 2026

   Department X: The Morning of the Magicians

   Last time, the files of General Witchfinders Department X revealed how psychic powers and parapsychology grew to be one of the leading frights of 70s horror culture. Now, we look closer at one of the key texts from the 60s counter-culture milieu that drove the psychic boom: Pauwels and Bergier’s ‘The Morning of the Magicians’.Join James and Ross as they take a white-knuckle ride through a book that’s a who’s who of the occult: Charles Fort, H. P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen and the Golden Dawn, generous amounts of alchemy, ancient aliens – and Nazis!This version of the episode includes background music. If you prefer a voice-only experience without music, listen to the alternative version here (https://tinyurl.com/MornOfMag).So turn on, tune in and freak out to the second part of the Department X triptych…Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders (http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Book Club 02 - Benighted aka The Old Dark House by J.B. Priestley (with Dylan Rees)

   Welcome to the second episode of the General Witchfinders Book Club – a spin-off from our regular British horror podcast, run in partnership with Teasel & Skylark, an independent bookshop in Dorchester. To accompany our real-life, face-to-face book club meet-ups, host Ross Cleaver invites a special guest co-host onto the show every two months to discuss our latest reading choice. On this episode, Ross welcomes Dylan Rees. Dylan is an Emmy-winning producer and line producer across British television and independent film. Alongside his screen production work, Rees writes about the history of cult television and the "Wilderness Years" of Doctor Who, including Downtime: The Lost Years of Doctor Who and Doctor Who Myths and Legends: The Reeltime Pictures Story. He is also the host of The Too Hot For TV Podcast, which explores the extended universes of your favourite film and TV franchises. Together, they discuss J.B. Priestley’s 1927 novel, Benighted (also known as The Old Dark House). BenightedPhilip and Margaret Waverton and their friend Roger Penderel are driving through the mountains of Wales when a torrential downpour washes away the road and forces them to seek shelter for the night. They take refuge in an ancient, crumbling mansion inhabited by the strange and sinister Femm family and their brutish servant Morgan. Determined to make the best of the circumstances, the benighted travellers drink, talk, and play games to pass the time while the storm rages outside. But as the night progresses and tensions rise, dangerous and unexpected secrets emerge. On the house's top floor are two locked doors; behind one of them lies the mysterious, unseen Sir Roderick Femm, and behind the other lurks an unspeakable terror. Which is more deadly: the apocalyptic storm outside the house or the unknown horrors that await within? And will any of them survive the night? b How to Get InvolvedWe want to build a community around these books, both locally in Dorset and remotely with our podcast listeners and zine readers.Join us in Dorchester: Ross leads the in-person discussions at the King’s Arms Hotel. Spaces are limited, so sign up at the Teasel & Skylark shop. Local club members get 10% off the featured books, plus 10% off all other books and gifts in-store (excluding original artwork). These discounts are only available in person at the shop.Join us from elsewhere: If you are not local, read along at home and send your thoughts or audio voicemails to generalwitchfinders@gmail.com (mailto:generalwitchfinders@gmail.com). Support Independent BookshopsIf you are close enough to Dorchester, please order your copy through Teasel & Skylark and pop in to collect it. If you cannot get to West Dorset, please find your local indie store via Bookshop.org (https://bookshop.org/). Links & ResourcesBook Club Info: General Witchfinders Book Club (https://generalwitchfinders.com/the-general-witchfinders-book-club/)Our Partner Bookshop: Teasel & Skylark (https://www.teaselandskylark.com/)Find Indie Shops Nationwide: Bookshop.org (https://bookshop.org/)Support the Show: General Witchfinders Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/generalwitchfinders)Social Media: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/generalwitch1/) | Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/generalwitch.bsky.social). Featured Guest Links (Dylan Rees):Linktree: Dylan Rees Links including podcast links (https://linktr.ee/Dylan_Rees) (do go check these out)One of Ross's guest appearances on Too Hot For TV talking about Terminator (https://pod.link/1501843840/episode/8911557f0e0c3d90a717174c260191a1)Books: Downtime – The Lost Years of Doctor Who (https://obversebooks.co.uk/product/downtime/) | Doctor Who Myths and Legends: The Reeltime Pictures Story (https://telos.co.uk/shop/cult-tv/myths-legends/?doing_wp_cron=1788706602.6403460502624511718750)Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders (http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   21 Aug 2026

   73: Alternative 3 (1977) – Anglia TV – Dir. Christopher Miles – Tim Brinton, Shane Rimmer & Richard Marner

   Alternative 3 (1977) – Conspiracies, Secret Mars Bases, Brian Eno and 1970s TV HoaxesOur #SummerOfStrange continues. We step away from Hammer, Amicus, vampires, and classic screen monsters to explore British television’s most infamous media hoax: Alternative 3. Produced for Anglia Television’s Science Report and written by David Ambrose, this 1977 mockumentary sparked widespread paranoia regarding climate emergencies, the UK "brain drain", secret space programmes, and covert Mars bases.We unpack the production history, cultural legacy, and fringe theories stemming from the broadcast – from its delayed April Fools’ Day airing to its impact on UFO literature, sci-fi audio dramas, and cult cinema.Key Links & Upcoming Live EventLive Screening & Podcast Event: Join us on Friday 30th October at 7:30pm at ActOne Cinema in Acton for Hammer’s Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde plus a live podcast recording – Book tickets here (https://tinyurl.com/DRJeky11)Watch Alternative 3 on YouTube: Stream the full television broadcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNR0Q97TtRU)Read the 1978 Novelisation: Alternative 3 by Leslie Watkins on Archive.org (https://archive.org/details/alternative300lesl)Key Discussion PointsThe Plot & The Hoax: How a fake documentary detailing climate catastrophe and moon-colonisation duped viewers across the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.The Aftermath & Pop Culture Legacy: Leslie Watkins’ 1978 tie-in book Alternative 003, Jim Keith’s conspiracy text Casebook on Alternative 3, Richard Linklater’s Slacker, and parallels to the Dimension X radio story "The Man in the Moon".Brian Eno’s Electronic Score: Ambient music tracks featured on Music for Films, Eno’s work with Roxy Music, high-profile production credits for David Bowie, Talking Heads, and U2, and creating the Windows 95 startup sound on a Mac. Plus, secondary score releases from Add N to (X), Stereolab, and Hairy Butter.Writer David Ambrose & Director Christopher Miles: Screenwriting credits behind D.A.R.Y.L., The Final Countdown, Taffin, The Survivor, and Oscar-nominated short The Six Sided Triangle.Cast & Trivia Deep DivesTim Brinton (Presenter): ITN and BBC newsreader and Conservative MP featured in Carry On Emmannuelle, Dixon of Dock Green, and The Avengers.Shane Rimmer (Bob Grodin): Voice of Scott Tracy in Thunderbirds, actor in Dr. Strangelove, Star Wars: A New Hope, Rollerball, Space: 1999, Superman I–III, Batman Begins, and James Bond films You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, and The Spy Who Loved Me.Richard Marner (Dr Carl Gerstein): Colonel Von Strohm in 'Allo 'Allo!, with roles in Count Dracula, The African Queen, The Dirty Dozen, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, The Boys from Brazil, Children of the Damned, and The Sum of All Fears.David Baxt (Harry): Played Thomas Wayne in Tim Burton's Batman, with appearances in Inseminoid, The Shining, and The Tomorrow People.Gregory Munroe (Colin Benson): Appeared in Mixed Blessings, Ace of Wands, and as Fariah in Doctor Who: The Enemy of the World.Ivor Roberts (George Pendlebury): Featured in Penda's Fen, Oh, Doctor Beeching!, You Rang, M'Lord?, and Boon.Listen & FollowCatch up on our previous #SummerOfStrange episodes covering Penda's Fen and 1970s parapsychology mania on your podcast app of choice.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders (http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

15 ratings

Spotify

4.2 / 5

54 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

76

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

50

Pitching General Witchfinders

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.

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