http://www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk/

Strange Days, THE BARGE INN AND CAMPSITE Honey Street, Pewsey (2026)

19/06/2026

Strange Days 2026 presents: JON DOWNES - CRYPTOZOOLOGIST

Jonathan Downes is a naturalist, cryptozoologist, author, editor, film-maker, poet, novelist, activist, journalist, composer and singer-songwriter, with a background in radical politics and mental health care.

He is also Director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology. His father, the explorer and Colonial Service Officer J. T. Downes, wrote several books on a wide range of subjects, such as African history, theology and the Devonshire dialect. His mother Mary Downes was a broadcaster and author who published several collections of Nigerian folklore under the pen-name Yar Kunama.

He is currently the editor of Animals & Men; the journal of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, and since 2012 has been the editor of Gonzo Weekly, a digital music magazine, He has been the editor of the online magazine blog Cryptozoology: Online, and also of UFO Matrix magazine.

SUBJECT – DUSK TILL DAWN, ON THE TRAIL OF MEXICAN VAMPIRES

Welcome to the second most extraordinary weekend of your life! All information on the website: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk. Grab your t1ckets here: buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600

13/06/2026

👽Behold!!👽A wildly wyrd weekend specially created for fans of Forteana, unexplained phenomena… and incredible music! STRANGE DAYS FESTIVAL returns this September 4/5/6 to the The Barge Inn - Honeystreet. See the mighty HENGE and Dom Joly, along with a truly stunning array of esteemed speakers by day, witness cosmic cabaret and much more by night. Camping at The Barge welcomes you to the Second Most Extraordinary Weekend of your Life!
Grab your t1ckets here: https://buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600
All the info at: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk

12/06/2026

Strange Days 2026 presents: MORAG ROSE - PSYCHOGEOGRAPHER

"Morag Rose is a psychogeographer, creative mischief maker and walking artist-activist-academic. In 2006 she founded The LRM (Loiterers Resistance Movement). On the first Sunday of every month The LRM facilitate a free, communal, wander somewhere in Greater Manchester. They have played games of CCTV Bingo, made giant cake maps, saved a towpath from being diverted into a hotel lobby and created performance tours on subjects including canal monsters, hostile architecture, drunkenness and public toilets. Morag is also a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at The University of Liverpool and her first book The Feminist Art of Walking was published by Pluto in 2025..."

SUBJECT - MESSIE THE CANAL MONSTER AND OTHER STORIES

This talk and walk shares stories of canal monsters, ghosts, cryptids and mysterious goings on around Greater Manchester’s waterways. It draws on over twenty years of wanderings with psychogeographical collective The LRM (Loiterers Resistance Movement) and combines folklore, fantasy and eye witness testimonies. We’ll also see if there are any resonances or relatives to be found in the vicinity of Strange Days… What is lurking beneath the surface?

Welcome to the second most extraordinary weekend of your life! All information on the website: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk. Grab your t1ckets here: buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600

11/06/2026

Strange Days 2026 presents: RICHARD FREEMAN – MONSTER HUNTER

SUBJECT – 26 YEARS HUNTING THE IMPOSSIBLE

"Richard Freeman is a working cryptozoologist, author and explorer. He searches for and writes about unknown animals. The melodramatic may call him a monster hunter. He has hunted for creatures such as the yeti, the Mongolian death worm, the giant anaconda, the almasty, orang-pendek the gul, the naga, the ninki-nanka the Caspian tiger and the Tasmanian wolf.

He is the Zoological Director at the Centre for Fortean Zoology. This is the world’s only full time mystery animal research organization. It is based in North Devon, England. A former zookeeper Richard has worked with over 400 species from spiders to elephants but lists crocodiles as his favourite. He has lectured at the Natural History Museum in London and the Grant Museum of Zoology well as the Last Tuesday Society at Viktor Wynd's Little Shop of Horrors.

Richard is also a regular contributor to the magazine Fortean Times. He has written books about cryptozoology, folklore and monsters including Dragons: More Than a Myth?, Explore Dragons, The Great Yokai Encyclopaedia: An A to Z of Japanese Monsters, and Orang-Pendek: Sumatra’s Forgotten Ape.

However he has recently branched out into horror and weird fantasy with Green Unpleasant Land: 18 Tales of British Horror Hyakumonagatari: Tales of Japanese Horror Book One as well as several shorts in the BHF Books of Horror. He has recently written an overview of cryptozoology and a chronicle of his own expeditions entitled Adventures in Cryptozoology volumes one and two.

He has just written a book of high strangeness Fortean cases called The Highest Strangeness, and a two-volume work on man-eating animals that the publishers have unfortunately forced him to call Creatures that Eat People. Richard is a massive fan of classic Doctor Who and a lover of weird fiction, horror, gothic music, and gothic ladies (not sure if you can say that last bit now Rich – Ed). Jon Pertwee and David Attenborough are his heroes."

Welcome to the second most extraordinary weekend of your life! All information on the website: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk. Grab your t1ckets here: buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600

10/06/2026

Strange Days 2026 presents: SID QUATRINE – OCCULTIST / ILLUSIONIST

SUBJECT – THE FALL OF EMPIRES, ATLANTIS UNEARTHED

"Sid Quatrine is an independent scholar of esotericism and the founder of the Neo hermetic Order of Kyballic Philosophy, a contemporary initiative dedicated to the revival of mystical systems and a modern approach to occult frameworks.

An accomplished and highly sought-after illusionist by night, in the daytime Sid can be found avidly exploring the realms of Magick.
His work focuses on personal alchemy, Hermetic philosophy, with a focus on reviving awareness for esoteric traditions through integrating scholarly research with symbolic interpretation and practical spiritual insight. Sid Quatrine continues to lecture, write, and develop educational resources that connect historical wisdom with contemporary esoteric inquiry.

Expect an eloquent and highly entertaining presentation from this sharply dressed and quick-witted young gentleman, who will absolutely not be auctioning off any 100 year old monk’s feet this year."

Welcome to the second most extraordinary weekend of your life! All information on the website: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk. Grab your t1ckets here: buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600

09/06/2026

Strange Days 2026 presents: NAOMI RYAN - THE SPOOKY BARRISTER

SUBJECT – THE X TRIALS – A FORENSIC HISTORY OF THE SUPERNATURAL

"The English legal system is often considered a bastion of intellectual probity and rationality, with no time for supernatural matters. However, people have always believed in fantastical creatures, and their beliefs have led them to do strange and terrible things. When they appear before a judge and jury, these beliefs must be subjected to the same harsh scrutiny as any other legal case. As a result, the law has been confronted by everything from witches leaking war secrets, to ghosts solving their own murders.

So join Naomi Ryan and learn about some of the strangest cases in legal history, where the Fortean meets the forensic, the bizarre is examined by barristers and the strange is investigated by the state. Learn about the Old Bailey’s connection to the last witchcraft trial, decide whether a ghost can solve their own murder and most importantly, discover the connection between the BBC and a foul mouthed, furry demon called Gef.

Naomi Ryan is a criminal and public law barrister. After completing the BCL at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, she taught criminal law to undergraduates at St Hilda’s College Oxford and University College London before embarking on her career as a criminal barrister. She both prosecuted and defended before moving to the Civil Service, where she worked for an array of prestigious departments, including the Attorney General’s Office, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Court of Appeal. She has since returned to her favourite place, the courtroom.

When she isn’t advising legal luminaries, she delivers spirited (!) talks on macabre events in legal history. She is a regular feature at London’s Month of the Dead festival and can often be found addressing museums and other legal and supernatural organisations on the spooky and scintillating topic of ghost law. Her favourite subjects include ghosts as witnesses, the prosecution of fraudulent mediums and the High Court’s treatment of demon mongooses called Gef."

Welcome to the second most extraordinary weekend of your life! All information on the website: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk. Grab your t1ckets here: buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600

08/06/2026

Strange Days 2026 presents: DOMINIC CHORNEY – OCCULT NUMISMATIST

SUBJECT – OCCULT AND ALIEN ARTIFACTS UNCOVERED?

"Dominic Chorney is an expert in historical and occult artefacts, having studied archaeology and visual culture. Originally from Glastonbury, he now resides in London, where he works as the Head of Ancient Coins at the Baldwin’s auction house and dealership. Dominic is fascinated by the stranger side of ancient artefacts: particularly their unusual designs and mysterious uses. An author of two books, he is currently delving into the many ‘alien’ artefacts of history and prehistory."

Welcome to the second most extraordinary weekend of your life! All information on the website: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk. Grab your t1ckets here: buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600

06/06/2026

Strange Days 2026 presents: MATT WILLIAMS

"Matt always had an interest in UFOs and paranormal - owning plentiful books on the subject but never fully believing in anything. Until his first encounter saw him on the road to becoming a fully-fledged researcher;

1991 Saw UFO driving over lonely mountain road - started life as a UFO investigator.

1992 Explored crop circles and tried making some basic designs.

1993 Visited RAF Rudloe Manor, the secret UFO investigations base and had guns pointed at his head.

1994 Consultant for UFO Magazine and writer for UFO reality and Alien Encounters. Resident UFO specialist doing reports for "The Why Files" on LiveTV (cable tv)

1995 Uncovered UFO documents at the public records office confirming role of RAF Rudloe Manor and DI55 DSTI AI4b 5a in UFO investigations. Document was pulled from view until Parliamentary scandal that MPs had been lied to about disappearance of this document was exposed and the file was returned. These and other documents proved that UFOs were being dealt with at a higher interest level than Nick Popes position and were being investigated with RAF Officers visiting witnesses.

2000 First person to be arrested after making crop circles.

Matt has been working ever since to convince people that crop circles made by people are seen as "The real thing" and have associated paranormal effects including sightings of UFOs and Balls of Light which some people claim to have seen making circles we know to be man made. He has since been working with crop circle researchers to understand this unusual mechanism.

Matt has appeared in numerous documentaries, tv shows, radio shows and lectures all over the world on the subjects of UFOs and crop circles."

SUBJECT – MOTIVES, METHODS AND SECRECY OF THE CIRCLES – WITH ROB IRVING
Old school vs New school; once fierce rivals, Matt and Rob existed at opposite ends of the firmament of crop circle makers – with very different philosophies behind their (alleged) work on some of the most memorable formations of all time. Expect some lively back and forth, enlightening anecdotes and strong opinions that may bend, but hopefully not break these Banksy’s of the Barley fields.

Welcome to the second most extraordinary weekend of your life! All information on the website: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk. Grab your t1ckets here: buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600

05/06/2026

Strange Days 2026 presents: ROB IRVING - AUTHOR / ARTIST

"Rob Irving is an Author and artist. As a member of Circlemakers, and author of The Field Guide; The Art, History and Philosophy of Crop Circle Making. Rob is very familiar indeed with the countryside surrounding Alton Barnes and has long studied the relationship between the crop circle phenomenon and its effect on the public consciousness. "

In the words of fellow Artists Crab & Bee ‘‘A trickster-geo-physicist, a dealer in truth and half-truth, a diagrammer, a brewer of modern folklore, a shaper of shifts…Working in between simplicities, Rob has mapped a boggy yet inscribed terrain into which we have been grateful to step, if gingerly; one where myth and mathematics and serious empirical desk-based research never quite meet but leave invitingly half-existing footpaths and cave entrances accessible and ruined chapel gateways ajar. ”

SUBJECT – MOTIVES, METHODS AND SECRECY OF THE CIRCLES – WITH MATT WILLIAMS
Old school vs New school; once fierce rivals, Rob and Matt existed at opposite ends of the firmament of crop circle makers – with very different philosophies behind their (alleged) work on some of the most memorable formations of all time. Expect some lively back and forth, enlightening anecdotes and strong opinions that may bend, but hopefully not break these Banksy’s of the Barley fields.

Welcome to the second most extraordinary weekend of your life! All information on the website: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk. Grab your t1ckets here: buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600

04/06/2026

Strange Days 2026 presents: JUSTIN CHUBB AND TIM DOWNIE - FOLKLANDS

"FolkLands podcasters Tim Downie and Justin Chubb return to Strange Days to take a look at some of the strange, elaborate and downright weird fakes and hoaxes scattered through our history and lore, alongside some more inexplicable cases that still divide the believers and the sceptics. From Piltdown Man to The Cottingley Fairy photographs, we hope to touch on some intriguing tales that stretch credulity and truth...

Justin Chubb is a writer and performer, best known for co-creating and co-starring in SKY Atlantic's critically-acclaimed comedy, 'This is Jinsy', which ran for two series and was nominated for Rose D'Or and British Comedy Awards. He has written comedy for Radio 4 and authored several short films, including 'Saving Grace', which aired at The Edinburgh Film Festival and was screened on BBC2. stage plays include 'Teenage Vitriol' (The Drill Hall/The Finborough), 'Bohelland' and 'Judas Worm' (Cornwall's Minack Theatre). He co-authored children's book 'Dad Droid' with comedy partner Chris Bran, and alongside actor-writer Tim Downie is the co-creator and presenter of 'Folklands', a podcast exploring myths, legends and folklore with experts, artists and authors at a host of atmospheric sites around the UK.

Tim Downie is an actor, writer and podcaster who has worked on such films as the award winning The King’s Speech, Paddington and Les Miserable. He’s currently appearing in Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose opposite Simon Pegg and Minnie Driver, and How To Date Billy Walsh with Sebastian Croft and Charithra Chandran. TV work includes the multi award winning Peep Show, Upstart Crow, Chewing Gum, Toast of London, Toast of Tinseltown, Plebs, and Outlander. He can currently be seen on Amazon Prime’s Good Omens 2, Big Mood with Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West for Channel 4 and Geek Girl, a brand-new series for Netflix based on the best-selling books. His game debut was playing Gale of Waterdeep in Larian’s worldwide smash, Baldur’s Gate III.

He also co-hosts and co-writes the hit podcast FolkLands which is listened to in over 120 countries worldwide."

SUBJECT - HOAX! THE FOLKLORE OF FAKERY

Welcome to the second most extraordinary weekend of your life! All information on the website: www.strangedaysfestival.co.uk. Grab your t1ckets here: buytickets.at/campingatthebarge/2142600

Strange Days

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