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General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast cover art

General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

Written by: 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
Episodes
  • Book Club 01 - Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley (with Ray Newman)

    Book Club 01 - Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley (with Ray Newman)
    Jul 8 2026
    Welcome to the very first episode of the General Witchfinders Book Club – a new 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 inaugural episode, Ross welcomes author Ray Newman. Ray is the author of the novel The Grave Digger’s Boy, as well as three exceptional collections of short stories: Municipal Gothic, Intervals of Darkness, and Thin Places in Hard Concrete. Together, they delve into Andrew Michael Hurley’s acclaimed 2019 novel, Starve Acre.Starve Acre ‘An impeccable work of folk horror’ – The Irish Times The worst thing possible has happened. Richard and Juliette Willoughby's son, Ewan, has died suddenly at the age of five. Convinced that the boy still lives on in some form, and desperate to make contact, Juliette seeks the help of the Beacons, a seemingly benevolent group of occultists. Richard, an art historian, tries to blot out the pain of his grief by turning his attention to the field opposite their house, Starve Acre. Patiently he digs in the barren soil looking for the roots of a legendary oak tree, but unearths something which ought to have remained buried. ‘I will confidently predict that no reader will guess where it's heading . . . Hurley's ability to create a world that's like ours in many ways and really not in many others is again on full display’ – The Times 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 (Ray Newman):Blog: Precast ReinforcedBluesky: Ray Newman on BlueskyBooks: The Grave Digger’s Boy | Thin Places in Hard Concrete | Intervals of Darkness | Municipal GothicSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Department X: Mysterious Powers and Strange Forces

    Department X: Mysterious Powers and Strange Forces
    Jul 1 2026

    Summer is the season of the spin-off at General Witchfinders. We have a few episodes beyond our usual format to share, starting with James’s exploration of parapsychology in the 1970s.

    Why did that decade see such a dramatic rise in the cultural obsession with ESP, telekinesis, and psychic premonitions? James has been digging into the archives and thinks he has the answer.

    Join James and Ross for an intriguing journey into the seventies counterculture in our new spin-off: ‘General Witchfinders – Department X: Mysterious Powers & Strange Forces’.


    For people who struggle with background music behind speech, here is a voice-only version – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1am2tJWJtB_wIqxax3E11S-7eZQVLzyAw/view?usp=sharing


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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr
  • Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde CINEMA SCREENING

    Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde CINEMA SCREENING
    Jun 25 2026

    https://www.actonecinema.co.uk/movie/general-witchfinders-present-dr-jekyll-sister-hyde/


    We are bringing General Witchfinders to London on Halloween-eve – Friday 30th October at 7:30pm.


    We really want to make this night a success – and by success, we mean not spending a load of money just to watch a film in a cinema all on our own! If you can make it, please grab a ticket and bring along a Hammer-friendly friend or two to help us fill the room. We would also massively appreciate your help to spread the word so we can reach as many people as possible.


    We are teaming up with ActOne Cinema in Acton for a big-screen outing of Hammer’s Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde, followed by a live podcast recording.


    Tickets are £14 and available now.


    https://www.actonecinema.co.uk/movie/general-witchfinders-present-dr-jekyll-sister-hyde/


    If you can tell everyone you know, it would mean the world to us.


    ActOne Cinema, 119 – 121 High Street, London, W3 6NA


    Acton Town (Tube) and Acton Central (Overground).

    Bus routes 70, 266, 440, E3, 207, SL8, and 218 stop nearby.

    Salisbury Street car park is a two-minute walk away.

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

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