Couverture de General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

De : Ross Jon & James | Exploring Cult British Horror Films TV & Books
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General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast


Welcome 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.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ross Cleaver, Jon Pountney, James Randall Art
Épisodes
  • 73: The Quatermass Conclusion (1979) – Euston Films / Thames TV – Dir. Piers Haggard - Witten by. Nigel Kneale

    73: The Quatermass Conclusion (1979) – Euston Films / Thames TV – Dir. Piers Haggard - Witten by. Nigel Kneale
    Oct 3 2026

    In this episode, we conclude our deep dive into screen adaptations of Nigel Kneale’s legendary sci-fi creation, Professor Bernard Quatermass. We take a look at the 1979 Euston Films/Thames Television serial The Quatermass Conclusion (also known as Quatermass IV or Quatermass), starring Oscar-winner John Mills as the titular professor.

    Plus, stick around after the end credits for an exclusive clip preview from Room 5064 and B7 Media’s full-cast audio adaptation of Ramsey Campbell’s iconic folk horror novel, The Hungry Moon – starring Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Louise Jameson, Mina Anwar, and Jemma Moore.

    In This Episode:
    • The End of Quatermass: How Nigel Kneale brought his flagship character full circle after his groundbreaking BBC serials (The Quatermass Experiment, Quatermass II, Quatermass and the Pit) and iconic Hammer Films adaptations.
    • Remastering the Score: News on Buried Treasure Records' upcoming remaster of the Quatermass Conclusion soundtrack composed by Nic Rowley and Marc Wilkinson – featuring music clips in this episode.
    • Folk Horror Audio Preview: An exclusive clip from Episode 1 of The Hungry Moon, featuring a sinister local folk song and a trip to the dark depths beneath the Peak District village of Moonwell.
    Links
    • Listen to all our Quatermass coverage: General Witchfinder Quatermass Archive
    • Grab a copy of our print zine: General Witchfinder Official Shop
    • Follow Buried Treasure Records on Bandcamp: buriedtreasure.bandcamp.com
    Featured Audio Drama: The Hungry Moon

    Set in 1984 in the Peak District, Ramsey Campbell's Lovecraftian tale of religious superstition pits ancient evil against nuclear dread.

    • Starring: Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Colin Baker (Doctor Who), Louise Jameson (Doctor Who, EastEnders), Mina Anwar (The Sarah Jane Adventures), and Jemma Moore (Host).
    • Run time: 250 minutes (Includes exclusive 90-minute interview with Ramsey Campbell).

    Get The Hungry Moon audio drama:

    • Buy on Room 5064 PayHip
    • Buy on Audioteria

    Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    2 h et 22 min
  • Department X: The Morning of the Magicians

    Department X: The Morning of the Magicians
    Sep 21 2026

    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.

    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.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 h et 3 min
  • Book Club 02 - Benighted aka The Old Dark House by J.B. Priestley (with Dylan Rees)

    Book Club 02 - Benighted aka The Old Dark House by J.B. Priestley (with Dylan Rees)
    Sep 9 2026
    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. 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. Links & ResourcesBook Club Info: General Witchfinders Book ClubOur Partner Bookshop: Teasel & SkylarkFind Indie Shops Nationwide: Bookshop.orgSupport the Show: General Witchfinders PatreonSocial Media: Instagram | Bluesky. Featured Guest Links (Dylan Rees):Linktree: Dylan Rees Links including podcast links (do go check these out)One of Ross's guest appearances on Too Hot For TV talking about TerminatorBooks: Downtime – The Lost Years of Doctor Who | Doctor Who Myths and Legends: The Reeltime Pictures StorySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 h et 36 min
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