Classic Ghost Stories

Tony Walker
  • 4.9 (489)
  • SCIENCE FICTION
  • WEEKLY SERIES
Classic Ghost Stories
SPECIAL EDITIONS

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A weekly podcast that reads out ghost stories, horror stories, and weird tales every week. Classic stories from the pens of the masters Occasionally, we feature living authors, but the majority are dead. Some perhaps are undead. We go from cosy Edwardian ghost stories (E. F. Benson, Walter De La Mare) to Victorian supernatural mysteries (M. R. James, Elizabeth Gaskell, Bram Stoker, and Charles Dickens) to 20th-century Weird Tales (Robert Aickman, Fritz Lieber, Clark Ashton-Smith, and H. P. Lovecraft) and wander from the Gothic to the Odd, even to the Literary, and then back again. Each episode is followed by Tony's take on the story, its author, its content and any literary considerations, which may be useful to students!

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  1. The Horror from the Mound by Robert E. Howard

    EPISODE 1

    The Horror from the Mound by Robert E. Howard

    On the sun-baked plains of Texas, cowpuncher Steve Brill, driven by crop failure and looming poverty, stumbles upon an ancient burial site shrouded in mystery. His neighbor, Juan Lopez, speaks of dark secrets and dire warnings passed down through generations. But Brill, desperate for any chance to change his fortunes, dismisses the ominous tales. As dusk settles over the lonely prairie, something stirs in the depths of the earth – something that bridges the Old World and the New, something that hungers.  Robert E. Howard's "The Horror from the Mound" blends frontier grit with supernatural dread, challenging the limits of human courage against forces older than the West itself.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 10m
  2. The Jolly Corner (1908) by Henry James

    EPISODE 1

    The Jolly Corner (1908) by Henry James

    Can be haunted by your unlived life? Henry James, master of psychological fiction, invites us into the labyrinth of the human mind with his haunting tale, "The Jolly Corner." Spencer Brydon, returning to his childhood home after decades abroad, becomes ensnared in a web of regret and possibility. As he prowls the empty rooms, James's acute psychological insights illuminate the shadows of Brydon's consciousness. The line between reality and imagination blurs, leading to a chilling confrontation with the specter of an unlived life. This is no mere ghost story, but a profound exploration of identity, choice, and the paths not taken. Allow James's exquisite prose to guide you through the corridors of memory and the depths of the psyche.  ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out.  You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month.  Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 7m
  3. The House Behind The Wood (1928) by Richmal Crompton

    EPISODE 2

    The House Behind The Wood (1928) by Richmal Crompton

    Can a house possess your soul? In Richmal Crompton's "The House Behind The Wood," a stranded trio seeks refuge in a seemingly abandoned house. As moonlight bathes the countryside, an eerie atmosphere envelops them. A mysterious caretaker appears, and soon, long-buried passions surface. The narrator finds himself entangled in a web of unexpected emotions and conflicting loyalties. But is it real, or are they pawns in a spectral game? As dawn breaks, they face a revelation that challenges their perception of reality. Uncover the secrets lurking in the shadows of this haunting tale. Listen now, and let the whispers of the past draw you in. ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out.  You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month.  Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 5m
  4. Kerfol by Edith Wharton

    JAN 31

    Kerfol by Edith Wharton

    In Edith Wharton’s story Kerfol, published in 1911, a solitary traveller visits an ancient house in Brittany—a place shrouded in silence and mystery. Wandering the grounds, he encounters a pack of strange, silent dogs, their watchful eyes heavy with meaning. But Kerfol is no ordinary house. Its walls seem to echo with an unspoken history, a lingering presence that refuses to be forgotten. What happened within its cold stone halls? And why do the dogs remain? Step into this haunting tale of solitude and shadows. Listen now and let Kerfol draw you into its unsettling secrets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 33m
  5. The Open Window by Saki and The Return by R. Murray Gilchrist

    FEB 7

    The Open Window by Saki and The Return by R. Murray Gilchrist

    The Open Window by Saki In this masterful tale by Saki, a nervous man arrives for a formal call, bearing a letter of introduction. Greeted by the niece of his intended hostess, he finds himself drawn into an unsettling conversation. As they await the lady of the house, the young girl recounts a tale of family tragedy, casting a shadow over the pleasant autumn afternoon. Despite his best efforts, the visitor finds his eyes straying to the open window, unable to shake a growing sense of unease. Saki's sharp wit and keen observations of Edwardian society shine through every carefully chosen word. Plus +++ The Return by R. Murray Gilchrist What spectres haunt the moors of Derbyshire? In this chilling Gothic tale by R. Murray Gilchrist, a man returns to a remote rural village after decades away, seeking his long-lost love. Mist-shrouded orchards and decaying manor houses harbor dark secrets, while ghostly figures flit through moonlit corridors. As he searches, reality warps and time unravels. Gilchrist's prose drips with dread and melancholy, weaving a tapestry of promises kept and promises broken. ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out.  You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month.  Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
  6. An Adventure by Charlotte Moberley and Eleanor Jourdain

    FEB 14

    An Adventure by Charlotte Moberley and Eleanor Jourdain

    My voice has given up so I can't record a story without it sounding like a rubber tyre riding on polystyrene. So, I dug into the archives and found an old 'true ghost' / timeslip story I narrated on an H5 zoom in a closet using the H5 Zoom built in microphone. As such, forgive the audio. On 10th August 1901, two English women walked into the past. During a visit to the Palace of Versailles, on the anniversary of the French Revolution, two ordinary women saw the French Queen, Marie Antoinette sitting in the gardens in front of them, along with nobles, gardeners, houses, bridges and stones that when they went back, were no longer there. Backed up by a decade of research, the two women decided to publish their extraordinary adventure in 1910. Their timeslip experience has become known as the Ghosts of the Petit Trianon. Did these two Edwardian women actually experience time travel, or did they see the ghosts of things that had been? Previously, out of print, this is a new edition, edited and translated for the modern age, with additional material that looks at subsequent timeslip type experiences at Versailles An Adventure Ebook For You To Read Along Here's a link to a PDF I made of the book so you can read along and see where I made mistakes. An Adventure by Charlotte Moberley and Eleanor Jourdain Book Club Áine Moroney has asked me to remind you of the existence of The Classic Ghost Stories Podcast Book Club to be found on Discord. Please use this link to join. https://discord.gg/tZQrbsCf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    3h 45m
  7. The Face in the Mirror by Denys Val Baker

    FEB 21

    The Face in the Mirror by Denys Val Baker

    Denys Val Baker (1917-1984), a prolific author and editor, made significant contributions to British literature, particularly in short fiction and regional writing. His work often drew inspiration from his adopted home of Cornwall, where he settled in 1948. "The Face in the Mirror" is the title story from Val Baker's first American collection, published by Arkham House in 1971. This limited edition of 2,045 copies introduced Val Baker's unique blend of everyday observation and uncanny elements to a new audience. The collection showcases his ability to capture the essence of human experience with both humour and poignancy, traits that had already established him as a notable figure in 20th-century British letters. "The Face in the Mirror" exemplifies Val Baker's skill in crafting tales that blur the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
  8. The Lodger in Room 16 by David Dixon

    FEB 28

    The Lodger in Room 16 by David Dixon

    The Lodger in Room 16 by David Dixon In a faded guesthouse perched on the edge of an unnamed northern town, Room 16 has always had its secrets. When an elusive lodger, rumoured to work in the local cemetery, takes residence, reality begins to fray at the edges. The residents soon discover unsettling truths—each revelation more absurd and disturbing than the last. As it becomes clear that the lodger has always been there, predating even the current landlord, the occupants find themselves trapped in an escalating nightmare, haunted equally by their quiet desperation and the uncanny presence behind Room 16’s door. Dixon's chilling tale captures the grim absurdity and psychological unease of modern British horror, where dread seeps through the mundane, and the most disturbing terrors are those quietly entrenched within. ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out.  You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month.  Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min
  9. The Daughters of the Late Colonel by Katherine Mansfield

    MAR 7

    The Daughters of the Late Colonel by Katherine Mansfield

    Katherine Mansfield's "The Daughters of the Late Colonel" draws you into the subdued world of two sisters, adrift in the aftermath of their overbearing father’s death. Yet with the death of their patriarch, a new kind of burden takes hold. Long silences, stifled desires, and a sense of… something unseen echo through the house. Is freedom really possible, or is the past a ghost that will forever cling? Listen, and lose yourself within this subtly devastating story of lives haunted by what might have been. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 19m
  10. Members Episode March 2025

    BONUS • SPECIAL EDITIONS ONLY

    Members Episode March 2025

    It began as an attempt to recount from the book Hungry Ghosts by Joe Fisher but ended up as a series of my own supernatural reminiscences. This isn't a story but a series of related anecdotes.

    1 hr
  11. Members Only Story May 2025

    BONUS • SPECIAL EDITIONS ONLY

    Members Only Story May 2025

    Certainly, here is a warmly written, first-person version: --- Hello, I’m Tony Walker, and in the May 2025 episode of *The Classic Ghost Stories Podcast*, I’m inviting you to join me for a relaxed and personal ramble through some of my favourite topics. I talk about *Daimonic Reality* by Patrick Harpur—a fascinating book that explores the strange links between fairies, UFOs, and the mysterious world just beyond our usual senses. I also share a few of my own ghost stories, along with some eerie tales from my family’s past. Plus, I read a few curious pieces from *The Watkins Book of English Folk Tales*—some of them are wonderfully strange, others delightfully implausible, and all of them great fun to explore. It’s all presented in the usual friendly, fireside style. I do hope you’ll join me. 📚 You can now buy my books where you are! 😊 https://tonywalkerbooks.com/

    1h 13m
  12. Members Only Story June 2025

    BONUS • SPECIAL EDITIONS ONLY

    Members Only Story June 2025

    **June 2025: Members Only Episode** This month’s Members Only story on *The Classic Ghost Stories Podcast* turns its gaze on what makes a ghost story truly ghostly. We draw on Elliot O’Donnell’s *Twenty Years’ Experience as a Ghost Hunter*—a curiously earnest book of supposedly true hauntings that teeters between the folkloric and the theatrical. Perfect terrain for us. Alongside O’Donnell, I reflect on A.C. Benson—not just the writer of subtle supernatural tales, but a haunted man in his own right. With a new edition of his letters now out, we get a sharper sense of the inner weather that shaped his stories. It’s a more personal episode this time: part literary exploration, part meditation on the nature of apparitions. And, at the end, I share an idea I’ve been circling for a while—*The Uncanny Mirror*—a coaching project that uses story, symbol and imagination to reflect the hidden self. It’s still forming, but I’d be curious to hear what you make of it.

    1h 13m
See All Season 6 (12)

4.9
out of 5
489 Ratings

About

A weekly podcast that reads out ghost stories, horror stories, and weird tales every week. Classic stories from the pens of the masters Occasionally, we feature living authors, but the majority are dead. Some perhaps are undead. We go from cosy Edwardian ghost stories (E. F. Benson, Walter De La Mare) to Victorian supernatural mysteries (M. R. James, Elizabeth Gaskell, Bram Stoker, and Charles Dickens) to 20th-century Weird Tales (Robert Aickman, Fritz Lieber, Clark Ashton-Smith, and H. P. Lovecraft) and wander from the Gothic to the Odd, even to the Literary, and then back again. Each episode is followed by Tony's take on the story, its author, its content and any literary considerations, which may be useful to students!

Information

  • Creator
    Tony Walker
  • Episodes
    378
  • Seasons
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Classic Ghost Stories
  • Show Website
    Classic Ghost Stories
  • Provider
    The Classic Ghost Stories Podcast

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