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Artwork for Dark Histories

Dark Histories

Ben Cutmore
Ghost Stories
Jack the Ripper
True Crime
Psychical Research
Christmas
Mental Health
The Axeman
Druce-Portland Affair
Rocket Science
Gef
Patience Worth
Victorian Era
London
Spiritualism
New Orleans
Fritz Haarmann
Thomas Charles Druce
Duke Of Portland
Jack Parsons
Murder

Fortnightly narratives on the unsolved and the unexplained, mysteries, historical true crime, touches of the paranormal and cultural peculiarities.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes259Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Dark Histories

Latest Episodes

On a cold, grey January afternoon in 1914, a railway carriage travelling through north London shuttled along its route, carrying a grim secret. Beneath a third-class carriage seat lay the body of five-year-old Willie Starchfield, strangled and carefu... more

In the years following the American Revolution, when the country was still uncertain of itself and the frontier was still a place of violence, two brothers carved out a story of fear across the wilderness. When their story was first published in 1824... more

In the winter of 1864, two ships met their fate on one of the most remote and unforgiving stretches of the Southern Ocean. The Grafton and the Invercauld were wrecked thousands of miles from civilization, leaving their survivors stranded on the desol... more

Hey Everyone! here is a little episode to tide us over til next week when I'll be back to the usual posting schedule. I took a short, mid-season break to sort some bits and pieces out and enjoy a bit of the summer weather, but I do love a good ghost ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

Unexplained
UnexplainediHeartPodcasts
Southern Gothic
Southern GothicSouthern Gothic Media
The Midnight Library
The Midnight LibraryAstonishing Legends Productions
Lore
LoreAaron Mahnke
Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities
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Host

Ben Cutmore
Lead host and narrator, driving deep-dive historical storytelling with careful sourcing and engaging delivery.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 6.1k ratings
  • Truly excellent

    Ben is very easy to listen to and the stories he tells are varied and interesting. More importantly though they are very thoroughly researched, far more so than so many other podcasts. Instead of just copying and pasting snippets and stories from the internet to make a good story, Ben reads as much as he can into each episode, including primary sources, and gives a much more balanced and intelligently and tastefully told story as a result. This podcast is genuinely addictive and I cannot recomme... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Garry-H
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Great podcast

    If you’re looking for a dark tale, researched and delivered to guarantee your interest- you’ve found it! I’m racing thru the back catalogue!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seniorsog
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Great

    Maybe the facts are worse than fiction should be better than fiction. Love this pod cast. This guy. For a Pom seems ok I know right wth. All jokes aside been listening for years. And hope to for years to come.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aussie 887
    Australia4 months ago
  • The best!!👍🏼😸

    There are many podcasts like this on the Internet, but this is the podcast to listen to for creepy history.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GEFtheMongoose
    United States4 months ago
  • Great podcast!

    I love the narration and the humble nature of the narrator.

    A lot of the stories are based a long time ago which i love too. And even newer stories that i already know, he breathes new life into.

    I came across this last week and have gone back to Season 1!

    I’m up to Episode 9 and looking forward to eventually catching up. Keep em coming! Thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Patrickolee
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Community notes highlight high production values and varied, well-sourced topics.
Listeners praise the host's soothing, clear narration and thorough research.
Fans cite minimal ad interruptions as a plus for immersion.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#69
United States/History
Spotify
#50
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#54
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#90
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#81
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#49
New Zealand/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS: 10 Year Q+A
Q: Is making the podcast your full-time job, and how did that happen?
Yes, it is now full-time after COVID pressured a switch from hairdressing; the host valued the autonomy and creative control of doing it full-time.
BONUS: 10 Year Q+A
Q: How do you research and how long does it take per episode?
Research typically takes six to seven days at four to eight hours per day; writing is quicker; recording and editing take about six hours; overall it's a chaotic but effective process.
BONUS: 10 Year Q+A
Q: What is your favorite episode or story that lives rent-free in your head?
He mentions The Wreck of the Medusa as a fan favorite and notes preferred ridiculous or adventurous stories like Bat Bombs and Man Bats on the Moon as his personal favorites.
BONUS: 10 Year Q+A
Q: Joanne asks how you disconnect from dark history content.
The host explains he shifts focus by listening to science, paleontology, and Egyptology podcasts, plus engaging in non-dark-history interests like piano and normal life activities to reset.
The Islandmagee Witch Trials of 1711
Q: What theories can explain Mary's symptoms during the trials?
The host explores several theories, including the possibility of illness, psychosomatic reactions, and the influence of others suggesting names of suspects to Mary during her fits, leading to the wrongful accusations against the accused women.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Histories

What is Dark Histories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Long-running historical mystery and true crime show with a calming, narrative voice explores unsolved cases, strange phenomena, and cultural peculiarities. Episodes consistently emphasize meticulous research, archival sourcing, and careful balance between grisly detail and respectful storytelling, often blending history, folklore, and investigative angles. A standout quality is the host's steady, soothing narration and a light ad load that keeps the focus on the storytelling. The show covers a wide range of topics—from maritime wrecks and sensational Victorian crimes to quack medical schemes and folklore—making it appealing to listeners who enjoy well-researched, slower-paced historical narratives with a spooky or curious edge.

Where can I find podcast stats for Dark Histories?

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How many listeners does Dark Histories get?

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What are the audience demographics for Dark Histories?

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How many subscribers and views does Dark Histories have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Dark Histories has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Dark Histories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Dark Histories:

1. Unexplained
2. Southern Gothic
3. The Midnight Library
4. Lore
5. Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities

How many episodes of Dark Histories are there?

Dark Histories launched 9 years ago and published 259 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Dark Histories?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Dark Histories?

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