Dead Woman’s Ditch: Somerset’s Ancient Mystery, Murdered Women and Dark Folklore

Dead Woman’s Ditch: Somerset’s Ancient Mystery, Murdered Women and Dark Folklore

Author: True, Scary, Paranormal, Folklore and Ghost Stories July 19, 2026 Duration: 27:51

High on the Quantock Hills, Dead Woman’s Ditch carries a name older than the murders later tied to it. This episode follows the ancient earthwork, the story of Jane Walford, the 1988 discovery of Shirley Banks, and the shadow of John Cannan and Suzy Lamplugh.


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Research:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Woman%27s_Ditch

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1008254

https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?resourceID=19191&uid=189513

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cannan

https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2024-11-07/bristol-murderer-and-sex-offender-dies-in-jail-aged-70

https://www.suzylamplugh.org/suzys-story

https://www.suzylamplugh.org/news/statement-on-john-cannans-death

Daily Mirror, “At Last They’ve Found Shirley,” Tuesday 5 April 1988

Somerset County Herald, “The Land of Quantock,” Saturday 12 March 1938


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Step into the shadows with The Whispering Woods, where every rustle in the dark has a story. This isn't about campfire fiction; it's a collection of voices from the edge of human experience, shared by those who lived to tell the tale. Each episode delves into meticulously researched accounts, from deeply personal journals of modern hauntings to ancient cultural folklore passed down through generations. The audio design in this podcast is crafted to pull you into the environment of each story, making the past feel palpably present. You'll hear the details of encounters that defy explanation, exploring the societal and personal impact of the paranormal. The focus remains on the authenticity of the narrative, whether it's a documented historical mystery or a firsthand account of something unseen. By weaving together elements of documentary storytelling with raw personal testimony, The Whispering Woods creates a space where curiosity meets a genuine chill. The result is a consistently eerie and thoughtful examination of why these stories persist and what they reveal about our culture and ourselves. New episodes arrive every Sunday, offering a weekly immersion into the terrifying and the inexplicable. This podcast serves as an auditory archive for the strange and unexplained, reminding us that some whispers are meant to be heard.
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