Weird in the Wade

In this final exploration of abandoned places Nat explores haunted hospitals. Busy thriving hospitals seem to attract many ghost stories, but what of the hospital buildings which become disused or are repurposed? Do these former centres of medicine have particular ghost stories and paranormal experiences associated with them? Nat starts with the hospital she was born in, Princess Mary’s Hospital RAF Halton. One wing, which had once been a plastic surgery hub, seemed to generate many strange experiences and stories. A listener to the show, Laura shares her experience of visiting the hospital when it was derelict and waiting for demolition. Nat chats with a local urban explorer about the safety and legal issues associated with exploring abandoned sites. Nat also investigates Bedford hospital’s north and south wings, each of which have abandoned or disused sections that have attracted eerie tales and sightings. Finally, Nat speaks with Wayne Gilbert of Eerie Edinburgh podcast about the stories of haunted hospitals he has discovered whilst researching a new book. Some of these stories are deeply disturbing. If you want to see images of the places mentioned in this episode and read more about them visit the show blog at weirdinthewade.blog Contact Nat on [email protected] or on social media For ad free episodes and bonus content check out the show's Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade Thanks to Laura and Olie for sharing their experiences. Special thanks to Wayne Gilbert for sharing his stories with us. Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music by Tess Savigear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a second episode considering abandoned places in Bedfordshire, Nat explores the devastation caused by the Black Death in the 14th century. This includes the myths and legends which grew up around the plague, as well as the villages and settlements left in ruins. Cainhoe Castle near Clophill is one example Nat explores. The site is now part of a nature reserve (Clophill Lakes) and Nat chats with Daniel Bowles from the Green Sand Trust to learn more about the castle, it’s origins and why it was abandoned. Nat then also explores the lost settlement of Kinwick near Biggleswade and how a 13th century murder holds clues to where it was situated. Old Linslade is another Bedfordshire village which was changed forever by the black death which Nat explores. There’s some exciting news from the world of genetics which also sheds light on why some were struck down by the black death whilst others survived. Thank you to Daniel and Kayte from the Green Sand Trust for their help and expertise. Find show links, photos and video to accompany this episode including links to Bryan Bland's Cainhoe Castle walks at: weirdinthewade.blog Get in touch with weird in the wade at weirdinthewade.gmail.com Join the Patreon for ad free episodes and extra content here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade Listen to Nat on Caught Up In Crime podcast wherever you get your podcasts or here on apple and here on Spotify Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Additional editing by Tess Savigear Theme music by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weird in the Wade is back! In this episode Nat investigates haunting phenomena happening in a house right now in Biggleswade. Andy and his little dog Dolly are troubled by bangs, footsteps, and other strange sounds and sights in their cottage. Do former occupants hold the answers? Does the recent and ancient history of the land hide clues? Is Andy's house the only home experiencing ghostly activity in that area of Biggleswade? Over this episode and the next Nat explores what could be haunting Andy's house, and others in the area, through her usual research into history and beyond. Remember new episodes of Weird in the Wade will now be released every two weeks! Find show notes and photographs on the weird in the wade blog: weirdinthewade.blog If you want ad free episodes why not join weird in the wade on Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WeirdintheWade If you want to get in touch with weird in the wade then either follow the show on social media, links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade or email [email protected] Thank you to Andy and Dolly for their time, and Carol for telling me her story. Thank you to Tess for reading Carol's words and remixing a new sparkly version of the weird in the wade theme tune. Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music and this episode's haunted house theme by Tess Savigear All additional music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a summer wander away from the wade, Nat visits a South Lincolnshire hillside which has attached to it an intriguing medieval tale of a phantom army. In a strange coincidence, Nat learns that her brother who runs there regularly has a tale to tell about that hillside as well. Sempringham was the site of an abbey and a monastic order founded by an Englishman, St Gilbert. The site holds a holy well and a link to a Welsh princess, as well as possibly Vikings. Join Nat, her brother Chris and Dr Francis Young as they uncover the secrets of Sempringham. Nat also announces some important news about the podcast towards the end of the episode along with an update on this year's Burryman procession. Weird in the Wade Live! Want to catch Weird in the Wade live, at The Bigg Theatre in Biggleswade for a live podcast recording and more? It's happening on Sunday 2nd November 2025 at 3pm Grab your tickets here: https://wegottickets.com/event/673203/ British Podcast Awards There's still time to vote for Weird in the Wade on the listeners choice award at the British Podcast Awards! Just visit this link: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Important news: Weird in the Wade will be taking a short break but will return in October, in time for Halloween and will then become a fortnightly podcast! Episodes will be released every two weeks between October and July. Make sure you're subscribed on BBC Sounds so you don't miss an episode. Credits: Today's episode features Emily Elle Watts as Edith Thank you to: Dr Francis Young for his expertise Chris Salmon for sharing his story Ollie Campbell for letting me share his song Mon The Burryman Check out the show blog weirdinthewade.blog for more information about everyone above and the episode in general Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig Theme music is by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The medieval chronicles are peppered with odd tales amongst the mundane, when folklorist and historian Dr Francis Young came across one of these peculiar stories he shared it with Nat, because it happened at Biggleswade. In this episode Francis and Nat ask, and hopefully answer the questions: what was this strange sight? What did it mean to the witnesses? How have our interpretations of the uncanny and otherworldly changed over the centuries? They also explore how landscape shapes and holds secrets about our past beliefs and activities. Who were these "monstrous fighting men," and do they have a link to Viking and Saxon history? Find out in this episode of Weird in the Wade. Read more on the show blog at weirdinthewade.blog Find out more about Dr Francis Young at: https://drfrancisyoung.com/about/ Find out more about Weird in the Wade Ghost Walks here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/weird-in-the-wade-79765637113 Vote for Weird in the Wade in the listeners choice award for the British Podcast Awards here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Join Weird in the Wade's Patreon to support the show and get extra content: patreon.com/WeirdintheWade Social Media links and more can be found here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade Weird in the Wade is researched, written, presented and produced by Nat Doig. Special thanks for the contributions of Dr Francis Young in this episode. Theme music by Tess Savigear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a celebration of two years of Weird in the Wade, Nat returns to the subject of her first ever episode: The Haunted Poundstretcher. The site is now a café and gym where Nat and her team of friends hold a ghost hunt overnight. They have access to the café, gym, attic and cellar space. They hear from staff and visitors who have experienced something uncanny in and outside of the building. Nat also explores why the rumour that the ghost girl who haunts the site, died in a fire, might have a grain of truth to it. Using a ghost hunting kit, and with advice from Parapsychologist and Uncanny sceptic Dr Ciarán O'Keefe, Nat embarks on her first ever ghost hunt. Find out what scares and delights the ghost hunters on this special episode of Weird in the Wade. Read more about the ghost hunt on the Weird in the Wade Blog https://weirdinthewade.blog/2025/04/29/return-to-the-haunted-poundstretcher-show-notes-and-links/ Follow the show on social media here: https://linktr.ee/weirdinthewade Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/weirdinthewade Or join Team Weird on Patreon for extra and exclusive episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/WeirdintheWade This episode of Weird in the Wade was researched, written and presented by Nat Doig Audio Producer: Lucy Dearlove Assistant Producer: Liv Woodward Theme music by Tess Savigear All additional music by Epidemic Sounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices