...in which we tour the west coast town of Whitehaven in the company of Blue Badge guide and historic buildings expert Alexandra Fairclough. From the heart of the bustling harbour, we paint a picture of the settlement's early history – of a remote fishing village set around a tidal river – before coal transformed its fortunes forever. As the Lowthe…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3191c594 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/212 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 212, we cover the last two episodes of Season 2 of Poirot and discover Poirot and Hastings rap names and all you need to do is arrest a vagrant! Show Notes Irish Rovers - Black Velvet Band https://www.youtub…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1f0649f6 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/213 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 213, an accidental killer kills the wrong person twice and then tries to escape. Also, Gary has a really bad day. I’m on Smoke-O! Show Notes Gary’s Giant Bullhorn Wellington Paranormal https://www.imdb.com/t…

...in which we tell the 1,000-year story of cartography in the historic counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire with author, academic and cartophile Bill Shannon. When does the name 'Cumbria' first appear on a map? Who were the men – entrepreneurs, oddballs, fraudsters and visionaries – who developed the skills of surveying and map-makin…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3ff6cf9c 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/211 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 211, Hasting considers being a ghost hunter while he and Action Poirot foil a revenge plot in the dustbin stairway. Remember, Canada will be all the rage! Show Notes Extreme Ironing https://en.wikipedia.org/…

...in which we stride out from Seatoller in the company of conservationist and lichenologist April Windle to explore the Celtic woodlands of Borrowdale and celebrate the designation of a new 721-hectare (1,782-acre) National Nature Reserve in the valley. Immersing ourselves in the damp and shady confines of an oakwood, and tantalised by a tapestry …

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6929b437 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/210 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 210, Poirot stalks Japp to the beach to have Hastings accuse a bow tie only to discover you Keep The Mole and Shave The Mustache. What’s in Japp’s slide deck? Show Notes This Week’s Question What new activit…

...in which we journey deep into Newlands to tell the remarkable story of Elizabethen copper mining, and the part it played in making Keswick the birthplace of modernity. Leaving Little Town in the company of the inimitable Mark Hatton, we ascend the flanks of Hindscarth, and rewind time to the 1560s, to when England's war footing meant a domestic …

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3b92d586 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/209 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 209, after getting a good look at Hasting’s butt Poirot uses magic to solve the crime of the fake smoke. Show Notes Off Menu https://www.offmenupodcast.co.uk/ The House https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joldwynd…

…in which we climb one of the Lake District's most popular heights, Loughrigg Fell, to celebrate the launch of a new book, Loughrigg: Tales of a small mountain. In the company of author Eileen Jones and botanist Pete Martin, we consider why this rambling maze of a fell – the classic 'first and last hill’ – holds such a special place in so many peop…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1664dcba 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/208 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 208, a murder causes a five hour train ride, twice, and tries to avoid the Hastings Dumbass Pendulum. Somehow, we relate this to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Show Notes Magical TV Question for the Next Epis…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/92785638 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/207 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 207, a murder interrupts a game of Monopoly with over complicated plot to cut off Poirot’s phone service. Show Notes The Nesting https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082804/ Thanks again for listening! Mark & Sarah…

…in which we head to the far northeast of Cumbria to explore the once thriving North Pennines coal industry in the company of ex-pitman Clive Seal. Rewinding to the 1240s, we unearth the first records of coal production in the area – supplying the monks of Lanercost - and discuss the border raids that threatened the cottage-style industry all the w…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ced64fbd 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/206 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 206, Alternative Universe Poirot and Kool-Aid Hastings burgle the house of a blackmailer only to learn about Japp’s longing for the sea. I want to kick him down the stairs! Show Notes Thanks again for listen…

...in which we stride out from Waterhead in the company of ecologist and Save Windermere campaigner Matt Staniek. In the vibrant watermeadows that flank the River Rothay we dig into local lad Matt's early life – where hedgehogs were nursed in the family home and Matt took nature walks with his grandmother. Fast-forwarding to the car crash that brok…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6a38b0f8 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/205 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 205, Poirot survives old-timey fireworks, dodges a peppermint rock and bad criming to save the day. Jimmy Japp! Show Notes Sarah’s Baking Recipes Caramel Cone Crunch Cookies - https://sweetkitchencravings.co…

...in which, standing in for Mark and Dave, BBC Cumbria's Nick Brownlee takes a seat at the bar to discuss the highs, lows and daily realities of operating a community pub. In a hospitality sector beset by staff shortages, rising costs and closures, Cumbria is home to a handful of thriving pubs that have been acquired by their communities. Nick spe…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/483a6c2b 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/204 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 204, Poirot and Action Hastings avoid fencing and lazy tongs at a luxury pie factory. Fast living is to blame! Show Notes BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds Lady Killers - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/b…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f0d63132 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/203 AND WE ARE BACK! Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 203, Poirot and Hastings help a man in a fur coat, a prince, his girlfriend and her brother fail at playing cards! Glan Slans! Show Notes Make up in B&W Movies https://www.tiktok.com/@jasmin…

...in which, guest presenting for Mark and Dave, Radio 4's Caz Graham dons her boots for a day on the farm with organic dairy farmer, Chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network and one of Cumbria's farming heroes, James Robinson. In a wide-ranging conversation with fifth-generation farmer 'James from Strickley' – in the shadow of The Helm – Caz a…

...in which, standing in for Mark and Dave, broadcaster Nick Brownlee ventures out with Jon Bennett – a man who has climbed Helvellyn 778 times. Ascending Mires Beck, we hear from Jon about the important role of the National Park fell top assessor – a job Jon never thought he would get – and about why, even after 16 years climbing Helvellyn, he's s…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b1488a8b 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/202 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 202, a lady in a fungus hat asks Poirot to the country, but not Hastings, to take part in a car chase. Stand back boys! He’s got a blancmange! Show Notes Pencil Sketch Fungus Hat The Man Who Haunted Himself …

...in which we explore the industrial and social history of Barrow-in-Furness in the company of former mayor John Murphy and artist Maddi Nicholson. Overlooking Walney Channel and distant Black Combe, we delve into the Furness peninsula's deep past, when monks arrived in the secluded 'valley of the deadly nightshade'. We proceed to the discovery of…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/32e3605f 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/201 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 201 (Poirot S1E7),Poirot uses a doll to expose a killer and Hastings shoots some things. REMIXED! Cashmere - Love's All I Want • TopPop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrFDpTGJzEI Adaline licks the Turkish D…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/985015d6 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/200 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 200, everyone changes their clothes so many times, but still make bad belt and hat choices. REMIXED! Poirot and Miss Lyall Dressed the same Thanks again for listening! ----------------------------------- Sch…

...in which we set out from springtime Orton to explore the limestone scars of the Westmorland Dales in the company of husband-and-wife geologist / botanist team Syvia and Peter Woodhead. Alongside bubbling Chapel Beck, we encounter early flowers and a lively March hare as we learn about the geological origins of limestone - in distant coral seas s…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/244e4668 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/199 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 199, we talk about everything but the plot including the Coal Troll, the Blunderbuss Robe and the little door! And Poirot has a cold! Show Notes Robo Bultler! Patricia in The Window Thanks again for listenin…

...in which we take a Dales Way wander downstream from Cowan Head to Burneside to explore the long history of paper-making on the River Kent. In the company of paper manufacturer and fell-runner Mark Cropper, Chair of the six-generation family business James Cropper plc, we rewind the centuries to when 50 or more mills spanned the Kent, processing …

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/5d3935a7 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/198 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 198, we try to figure out the plot while all the extras and naked ladies get in the way. Do not be stinting with your praise! Show Notes Weird Jar in Cutter’s Office Picaso in Poirot’s Apartment https://www.…

...in which we are joined by Kendal-based author and Windermere Lake Cruises skipper Robert Beale to dive into the deep history of boating on England largest lake. Rambling along the fine new path from Lakeside to Finsthwaite, we look back to Roman times and beyond to hypothesise about the first lake users. Moving into the medieval era, we consider…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/27ad8781 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/197 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 197, Hastings eats a potato, sings a song, runs out of gas and taps the car. Also there is a kidnapping…sort of? Show Notes What is on the table? The Amorous Adventures of a Young Postman https://www.imdb.co…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f61caf31 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/196 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 196, we discuss this poorly named episode, thingness and boiled owls! Show Notes Tea Quiz V for Vendetta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_for_Vendetta The Horse Head Amateur Photographer https://archive.org/d…

...in which we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the birth of George Fox – founder of Quakerism – on a journey through '1652 country' with historian, Quaker and Professor Emeritus at Lancaster University, Angus Winchester. Starting our walk at the Society of Friends meeting house in the picture-perfect hamlet of Brigflatts just outside Sedbergh, w…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1945cbe0 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/195 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 195, a killer makes a cook disappear and everyone suspects white slavers! REMIXED with a guest! Pauline Moran in She Trinity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_She_Trinity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgjM…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b177a171 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/194 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 194, Father Brown takes a train ride and ends up in a Rap Battle with Flambeau over who has the bigger package. There’s a lot of fails in Welsh! Show Notes The Goon Show https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goo…

...in which we're defeated by weather, so shelter indoors to hear from one of the UK's great adventurers: Cockermouth-based James Forrest, who has bagged all 1,001 mountains in the UK and Ireland, and broke records walking both the 446 Nuttalls and 214 Wainwrights. An escape from the nine-to-five was, James tells us, the drive for his first challen…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3da9655a 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/193 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 193, an annoying person gives a really bad speech and Father Brown plays darts. Look out! Show Notes Signup for Mystery Maniacs Newsletter: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/ Thanks again for listening! …

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/fb2b4c4a 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/192 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 192, terror reigns in an Eco Village during a Chilli Eating Contest that leaves a trail of bodies and social media live streams. FEET! Show Notes Watch Like A Maniac What things can get you fined in Good Man…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e49cf465 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/191 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 191, three dog related deaths are explained but where was Frank going? Show Notes Watch Like A Maniac What village does the episode take place in? A: We aren’t 100% sure. It could be Binwell Greater Canis, o…

...in which we rewind the centuries to the Neolithic Age on a journey in search of Lakeland's earliest settlers and their highly-valued stone axes. In the company of archaeologist Steve Dickinson, we set out from Brotherilkeld – the great medieval farmstead with Norse roots. Leaving the valley walls behind, we enter wild country, once a place of fo…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4657e814 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/190 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 190,Sir Modem A special message to Chloe Freak. BUTTS! Show Notes Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 190, three people including Sir Modem are killed by a bad parent who didn't do it all for the Butts! A ve…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6c2b8d11 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/189 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 189, a totem, a kiln and ceramic mask all up to bad news for the Shirewell family. Luckily there is a yurt with no bathroom! ------------------------------------ NEWSLETTER: Keep up with all things Mystery M…

...in which we uwrap a selection box of our favourite clips from the year past in the company of Lakeland Walking Tales blogger and Lakeland Walker contributor, George Kitching. Featuring clips from, among others, Bill Birkett, Will Rawling, Charlotte Fairbairn, Rob and Harriet Fraser, Debbie North, Mark Hatton, Fell Foodie, Chris Butterfield and M…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a06962b8 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/bonus27 Maniacs, Midsomer Maniacs SPOILER-FREE Mini-episode! In Mini-episode 27, we cover Midsomer Murder S24.E4 and challenge you to watch like a maniac in 9 ways while eating your chilies! How To Watch This Episode Like A Maniac What things can …

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e157e195 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/bonus26 Maniacs, Midsomer Maniacs SPOILER-FREE Mini-episode! In Mini-episode 26, we cover Midsomer Murder S24.E3 and challenge you to watch like a maniac in 10 ways while searching for lost pets!! How To Watch This Episode Like A Maniac What villa…

...in which we are joined by Farmer's Wife author Helen Rebanks and food historian Ivan Day for a feast of Cumbrian Christmas fare. In Ivan's historic Westmorland farm kitchen we learn about the dishes that marked a traditional Christmas – 'hackin', powdered goose and sweet pie – before Helen and Ivan serve up three very different gingerbreads. Dis…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/57bf8a1c 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/188 Mystery Maniacs Episode! In Podcast 188, a time-traveling murder kills with no regard to pronunciation! Suddenly Thomas! Rutabaga and Doritos! Is that Professor Sir NotDonKnotts? ------------------------------------ NEWSLETTER: Keep up with al…

🎙️ Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a2bb3b7f 📓 Show Notes: https://midsomermaniacs.transistor.fm/bonus25 Maniacs, Midsomer Maniacs SPOILER-FREE Mini-episode! In Mini-episode 25, we cover Midsomer Murder S24.E2 and challenge you to watch like a maniac in 8 ways while searching for treasure!! How To Watch This Episode Like A Maniac What’s punky…

Maniacs, We have to decided to skip Episode 07 of Father Brown "The Devil's Dust". we explain why in this mini and challenge you to make some cookies! Back on Thursday with the next Midsomer Murders Mini. Mark & Sarah ----------------------------------- Schedule for December & January December 14 - Midsomer Mini 24 - Midsomer Murders - S24 E02 - ""…

...in which we climb one of Grasmere's low-level favourites to dine in a dell with outdoors cook, author and mental health speaker Harrison Ward – a.k.a. Fell Foodie. Setting out along the old drove road from Allan Bank, Harrison speaks frankly about his former life: of his long history of clinical depression; his obesity; and his 12-year struggle …