S3 E14: Exploring Britain's Dark Side: A Deep Dive into A Guidebook to Dark Attractions in The UK

Hi everyone and welcome back to the dark history podcast where we explore the darkest parts of human history. hope everyone is well I’m Rob your host as always. Welcome to season 3 episode 15 Exploring Britain's Dark Side: A Deep Dive into 'A Guidebook to Dark Attractions  in the UK. So today's episode is going to be something very different to what we are used to, today we are going to be talking about an amazing and interesting book that is right up my street a guidebook to dark attractions in the UK. Not only will we have a dark dive into some of Britain’s more macabre tourist attractions we also have the man who brought us this brilliant book, please welcome a friend of the show Mr Leon Mcanally. without further ado please turn off those lights sit back and relax next to the fire for more dark history. 

 

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Exploring Britain's Dark Side: A Deep Dive into A Guidebook to Dark Attractions in Britain

Britain's history is steeped in a mixture of glory and shadow, with its long and dark past marked by tumultuous events and eerie legacies. From the Roman invasions to the medieval plagues, the nation has seen a wealth of human drama and suffering. The medieval era was a particularly dark chapter, with the Black Death sweeping through the population, decimating nearly a third of the people and leaving a permanent mark on the societal fabric. The following centuries were equally turbulent, with witch hunts driven by superstition and fear leading to the brutal execution of hundreds, particularly under King James VI and I.                           The 17th century brought further calamity with the Great Plague of 1665, which claimed the lives of around 100,000 Londoners, and the Great Fire of 1666, which razed much of the city. These events not only caused immense suffering but also transformed the urban landscape and left scars that are still evident today. The Industrial Revolution, while heralding progress and innovation, introduced a new era of hardship for the working class, with factories becoming synonymous with exploitation, child labour, and hazardous conditions.
           This rich and often grim history has given rise to numerous dark tourism sites across the UK. The Tower of London stands as a symbol of royal power and brutal executions, with the ghostly presence of Anne Boleyn haunting its grounds. The eerie ruins of Whitby Abbey, famously associated with Bram Stoker's "Dracula," draw visitors intrigued by gothic horror. Edinburgh's underground vaults offer a chilling glimpse into the city's past, revealing tales of crime and poverty.                     For those interested in exploring these macabre destinations, "A Guidebook to Dark Attractions in the UK" serves as an essential companion. This book meticulously details sites of historical horror, from infamous execution sites to haunted castles. It provides not only directions and practical information but also historical context, bringing to life the stories of tragedy and intrigue that have shaped Britain's dark tourism landscape. Through this guidebook, readers can delve deeper into the nation's sombre heritage, uncovering the sinister tales that lurk beneath its picturesque facade. 

• (Rob)
• Hi everyone and welcome back to the dark history podcast where we explore the darkest parts of human history. hope everyone is well I’m Rob your host as always. Welcome to season 3 episode 15 Exploring Britain's Dark Side: A Deep Dive into 'A Guidebook to Dark Attractions in the UK. So today's episode is going to be something very different to what we are used to, today we are going to be talking about an amazing and interesting book that is right up my street a guidebook to dark attractions in the UK. Not only will we have a dark dive into some of Britain’s more macabre tourist attractions we also have the man who brought us this brilliant book, please welcome a friend of the show Mr Leon Mcanally (insert your hellos and we’ll ask how everyone is doing etc). Just before we start I just want to mention today's podcast of the week, audibly haunted presented by the amazing Ani Khajadourian. The way Ani tells her stories is amazing, her episodes on historical or modern liersture, haunts and the paranormal keep you enthralled and wanting more. We will have a sneak peak of Ani’s show later on in the episode, but please go and check show out its is truly incredable.     Anyway without further ado please turn off those lights sit back and relax next to the fire for more dark history. 

(Rob)
Your book "A Guidebook to Dark Attractions in the UK" explores some of the UK's most intriguing dark tourism sites. What was your inspiration to write this? Tell us your story.

 (Leon)

·         Growing up in Bury St Edmunds influenced my interest in history, learning about the Tudor period in school and St Edmund. 

·         He was tied to a tree and shot at by arrows before having his head cut off. It was later found by a group of people; being protected by a wolf. It said he was buried in the abbey but was later moved at the time Henry VIII ordered the destruction of the abbey. His body has never been discovered.  

·         I will talk about when I first heard of the term dark tourism at West Suffolk College, and instantly had an interest in learning more about this term. 

·         I went to the university of Northampton, a teacher encouraged me to pursue my interest in dark tourism at the university of Northampton. I took the lead of a group delivering a presentation on dark tourism. 

·         I realized from speaking to other British and USA tourists that they weren’t aware that Britain had similar sites. 

(Rob)

That’s such a cool story, you mentioned about the us and Britain had similar dark tourism sites which is Strange. We have a lot of American listeners to the show so What dark tourism site do we have that are like Americas?

 -(Leon)

·         Britain's history is overlooked, and many people overseas are not aware of similar sites, likes The Americans are not aware we have a memorial to JFK and a memorial to 9/11 made from the wreckage of the twin towers. 

·         I think while communities do try their best to remember historical events through memorials, it is these kinds of things that our whole country should be aware of, and we should be sharing with those traveling to the UK.

·         I think it is also important that as a country we know where we have done wrong in such things as the slave trade. 

Well be back with Leon after this short break in the meantime please enjoy I sneak peak of todays podcast of the week audible haunted with Ani Khajadourian 

(Rob)

Welcome back. Now I had no idea we had memorials to 9/11 and JFK and I would say quite a few of our America listeners who would be interested to know that.  I also think we should know all the details especially when it comes to the slave trade. One of the reasons I set this podcast up was to try and give the info to the masses, especially in regards to the British empire and the slave trade,all of the terrible stuff we did around the world. Don't get me wrong we did some good but also terrible things. 

(Rob)

So let’s talk about the book. What are some of your favourite places you’ve visited? 

 (Leon)

·         I have so many there is the Oaks Colliery Disaster, A hidden 13th-century crypt beneath the village church of Rothwell in Northamptonshire, the memorial to Alice Nutter.

 (Rob)

Alice Nutter was one of the Pendel witches, they were the focus of my Halloween special way back in season 1, it’s a story that is very close to home for me as it’s half an hour's drive from my house.

(Leon)

Alice Nutter is potentially one of the most well-known witch trials in Britain. She was one of twelve people accused of witchcraft in the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, one of the most famous witch trials in Britain. Unlike many of the accused, Alice was relatively wealthy and well-respected, which added a layer of intrigue to her case. There is a memorial in Roughlee that does remember her and those accused, it also serves as a reminder to all those who were executed from burning at the stake to dunking in rivers. 

There are a number of places within my book, from the witch’s well in Edinburgh and Old Mother Shipton’s cave to the Witchcraft Museum in Cornwell. While I have visited many places, I would like to take a more focused trip around the history of witches and witchcraft, I think that it's fantastic that people are now able to take a degree in witchcraft at the University of Exeter, which looks at the history of witches. 

(Rob)

The Witch Trials are a significant part of British history, saying that witch trials were not just in Britain but all over Europe, it was such a turbulent time at that point in history, religious fervour mixed with wild superstitions equalled a lot of people losing their lives in some pretty gruesome way. There is a castle in Austria called Moosham Castle which had some pretty heinous witch trials. Have you ever ventured to places further afield? 

(Leon)

I have visited many places across Europe from the catacombs of Paris, a bone chapel near Prague, Auschwitz (which has a eerie silence to it) to the likes of the Colosseum in Rome and the Monument Cemetery Milan, which a very outstanding cemeteries for is architecture however when I see they similar site that people not aware of, we have many magnificent cemeteries that sure an array of Victorian architecture.

 (Rob)

Before we digress and go on a tour of Europe's many witch trials sites, let’s bring it back closer to our home. Here at Dark History, we love a good mass grave, could you tell us about the hidden crypt beneath the village church of Rothwell in Northamptonshire? What makes this site so intriguing?

-(Leon)

The crypt beneath Holy Trinity Church in Rothwell is indeed fascinating. Discovered in the early 18th century, it contains the remains of approximately 2,500 individuals, all carefully stacked and arranged. It’s thought that these bones were exhumed from the churchyard to help those dead into heaven by purifying their souls of their sins, part of purgatory. The crypt provides a powerful glimpse into death and burial practices, making it a deeply evocative and somewhat eerie site.

 -(Rob)

That must be quite an experience for visitors. What kind of atmosphere does the crypt have?

-(Leon)

·         The dim lighting, the sandstone staircase that leads beneath the church, and the sheer number of bones create a hauntingly beautiful and contemplative atmosphere. 

·         For me I felt a profound connection to the past and a reminder of how short life is and how individuals can leave a legacy. The church and the crypt are well-maintained, and there’s a real effort to respect the memory of those interred there.

·         I personally believe that each person has a different experience when visiting these sites.

-(Rob)

Now being a northerner myself we love a good coal mine up here. As we know with any sort of mining, disasters do happen, in fact we had quite a big one in Wigan ,the town I am from, back in 1908 when an explosion occurred killing 76 people, all though no in the book, it shows there are many more out there.  But I was interested with the oaks Colliery disaster I'd never heard of this one, So what happened at there

-(Leon)

·         The Oaks Colliery Disaster of 1866 was a catastrophic event in English history, while Aberfan is known as the worst mining disaster in British history, the one of Oaks remains the deadliest disaster in English history. 

·         An explosion in the coal mine killed 361 miners and rescuers, making it the worst coal-mining disaster in England. The memorial site, located in Barnsley, serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost. It features a series of plaques and sculptures that honor the victims and provide detailed information about the disaster.

-(Rob)

How does the memorial impact visitors today?

 -(Leon)

·         The memorial is a deeply moving reminder of the disaster that happened and those that took place across the whole of Britain. It stands as a testament to the bravery of the miners and the rescuers who risked and lost their lives. For visitors, it's a place of reflection and learning.

·         The story of the Oaks Colliery Disaster is a reminder of the dangerous conditions faced by miners and the importance of safety regulations that have since been put in place. The community's commitment to remembering this tragedy ensures that the sacrifices made are never forgotten.

-(Rob)

There are quite a few of these dotted around the country isn't there you mentioned Aberfan which was awful really what was it something like 140 people killed most of them children? 

(if you want to say something here Leon its fine, I'm just sort of waffling here😂😂)

(Leon)

Yes, one of the most awful disasters known, as it killed 116 children, while this is within my book, clearly informs the visitors that if they are to visit the graves of those killed that they must be of the utmost respect. This disaster Nearly killed an entire generation so many people are affected by this, they don't wish for people to treat it as a tourist site. 

-(Rob)

Dark history wouldn't be dark history without the macabre and the gore.

What are the darkest sites you've been to? What are the sites that make you go Jesus that is grim?

 -(Leon)

 I think that Littledean jail is a bit dark as its holds belongings of the likes of Fred and Rosemary West. I also think from a visual point of view the Hunterian Museum is a bit of a dark place.

 I think this depends on a number of factors and how a place is interpreted by someone. If you are going to visit Shrewsbury Prison to take part in one of their evening ghost tours of an evening, then your senses are likely to be different to if you visited in the day time to take part in a tour on the factual history of the prison. People may also consider a memorial a reminder to a darker time of their community however some people may consider this as a reminder to those who lost and sacrificed their lives. 

I have been to several graveyards at night and my sensors are totally different to when I have visited the same graveyard during the daytime when people are around. 

-(Rob)

Yeah, prisons are often very oppressive places, lots of death and sadness you sort of feel it don't you. My neighbor used to work at Lancaster castle, and he was telling me as story about how they used to throw people off the walls, not him personally, but during the Jacobean rebellion. They had a game to see if they could throw them from the walls and land them into the well. if they hit the target it was along way down to a watery death and if they didn't well ill leave the imagination to that one . I know what you mean about graveyards some are quite beautiful, in a morose way, in the day but eerie at night. 

(Leon)

That is an awful situation, however these stories should be shared not just so they can be remembered but so they are learned from. I think also many people are wanting that immersive experience and dark tourism to allow people to do this, the likes of Bodmin Jail and Oxford Castle and Prison, are now partly a hotel allowing visitors to stay where some of the most infamous criminals have been imprisoned. 

-(Rob)

Thank you for listening to this differently dark episode. 

-(Leon)

Is there any plans to expand on the books maybe make it isn't a series?

They is a few ideas on the back burner, however my focus is on sharing over the 300 places I have written about with in my book 

-(Rob)

Where and when can people pick up the book? 

-(Leon)

 People will be able to purchase my book from amazon on the 24th July. But I have some exciting announcements to make in due course, so best for people to keep an eye on my Facebook page. 

-(Rob)

And is there any other means people can get information from yourself?

-(Leon)

People are always welcome to contact me via my website's contact page and keep updated via my facebook page.

-(Rob)

Make sure you go check those out some really interesting reads, I personally really like read that blog on your website its really interest.

Leon McAnally’s “A Guidebook to Dark Attractions in the UK” meticulously details these sites and many others, providing readers with historical context, personal stories, and practical information for visiting. The book is a journey into the heart of Britain’s shadowy past, inviting readers to explore the places where history’s darkest events unfolded. Through Leon's vivid descriptions and insightful commentary, the guidebook offers a comprehensive look at the locations that continue to captivate and educate those drawn to the macabre.

               Whether you are a history enthusiast, a fan of the eerie and unexplained, or simply curious about the hidden corners of Britain’s past, “A Guidebook to Dark Attractions in the UK” is an essential companion. It opens a window into the somber yet fascinating stories that have shaped the nation, offering a unique perspective on the rich tapestry of British history.

        So before we go I just want to thank Leon for coming onto the show today and sharing with us about his amazing book “A Guidebook to Dark Attractions in the UK” and wish him well on his launch. 

               if you could please drop a review on the show it really does help the podcast out the more reviews the more the algarithm pushes the show out there. If you think friends and family may be interested in the podcast then share it with them. Links to all socials are below. I know Adverts can sometimes be a pain but if you would like ad free episodes the link to the show's patron is also below. The patreon is for people who want to support the channel, but you don't have to. As always If you’ve been listening for a while and not subscribed please do it that way you never miss an episode. So with all that out the way Thank you again to Leon for coming on the show, Thank you again for listening, Join us next time, for our next episode, as we delve into another event and more dark history.

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