Storyline

A strand of annual British short television adaptations of classic ghost stories, referencing the oral tradition of telling supernatural tales at Christmas. First broadcast on BBC One from 1971 to 1978, and revived in 2005 on BBC Four.

First Aired

1971-12-24
Last Aired

2024-12-24
Creator
Genre

Drama
Seasons

3
Episodes

20
Status

Returning Series
Language

English
Network

BBC One

Keywords:

ghost story ghost christmas horror horror anthology

Stream and watch A Ghost Story for Christmas

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

1. The Stalls of Barchester

An ambitious cleric murders an aged Archdeacon at Barchester Cathedral. However, he is soon being stal...More

An ambitious cleric murders an aged Archdeacon at Barchester Cathedral. However, he is soon being stalked by a sinister black cat and by a hooded figure both of whom seem to be embodiments of carvings on the cathedral's choir stalls.Less

45mins 1971-12-24

2. A Warning to the Curious

An amateur archaeologist travels to a remote seaside town in Norfolk to search for the lost crown of A...More

An amateur archaeologist travels to a remote seaside town in Norfolk to search for the lost crown of Anglia, but after unearthing it is haunted by a mysterious black figure.Less

50mins 1972-12-24

3. Lost Hearts

An orphan moves into the house of his uncle, but is disturbed by visions of a pair of ghostly children...More

An orphan moves into the house of his uncle, but is disturbed by visions of a pair of ghostly children. Is their message a warning to be fearful of his uncle's obsession with immortality?Less

35mins 1973-12-25

4. Treasure of Abbot Thomas

A respected theologian and his protégé unearth clues to find the hidden treasure of a disgraced monk i...More

A respected theologian and his protégé unearth clues to find the hidden treasure of a disgraced monk in an abbey library. Should he have heeded his own advice not to go treasure hunting?Less

37mins 1974-12-23

5. The Ash-tree

An aristocrat inherits his family estate and is haunted by visions of his ancestor's role in a witchcr...More

An aristocrat inherits his family estate and is haunted by visions of his ancestor's role in a witchcraft trial.Less

32mins 1975-12-23

6. The Signalman

A railway signalman tells a curious traveller how he is being troubled by a ghostly spectre that seems...More

A railway signalman tells a curious traveller how he is being troubled by a ghostly spectre that seems to predict calamity.Less

38mins 1976-12-22

7. Stigma

Whilst clearing the ground for a new lawn, a family find a huge flat rock in their garden. It is so he...More

Whilst clearing the ground for a new lawn, a family find a huge flat rock in their garden. It is so heavy it needs a crane to remove it. In doing so, they release a spirit which has terrible consequences for the family.Less

32mins 1977-12-28

8. The Ice House

The story concerns a health spa visited by Paul (John Stride) , strange incidents occur with members o...More

The story concerns a health spa visited by Paul (John Stride) , strange incidents occur with members of staff whom Paul notices are all icy cold to the touch. The Brother and sister owners seem otherworldly , as do the residents, and they have a strange relationship with two vines.......Less

34mins 1978-12-25

9. A View From a Hill

A historian has a disturbing experience after borrowing a pair of binoculars belonging to a missing ou...More

A historian has a disturbing experience after borrowing a pair of binoculars belonging to a missing outcast and venturing up a notorious landmark.Less

39mins 2005-12-23

10. Number 13

An academic researcher repudiates local superstitions surrounding a devilish house. However, repeated ...More

An academic researcher repudiates local superstitions surrounding a devilish house. However, repeated visions and noises during the night suggest he may be proved wrong.Less

40mins 2006-12-22

11. Whistle and I'll Come to You

Leaving his ill and ageing wife in a care home, a retired astronomer revisits one of their old coastal...More

Leaving his ill and ageing wife in a care home, a retired astronomer revisits one of their old coastal haunts, but after discovering a ring on the beach is soon haunted himself.Less

52mins 2010-12-24

12. The Tractate Middoth

A young librarian receives a request for an obscure Hebrew book from a sinister gentleman, unaware of ...More

A young librarian receives a request for an obscure Hebrew book from a sinister gentleman, unaware of its contents.Less

35mins 2013-12-25

13. The Dead Room

Aubrey Judd, veteran radio presenter of The Dead Room, soon realises that elements of his own past are...More

Aubrey Judd, veteran radio presenter of The Dead Room, soon realises that elements of his own past are not as dead and buried as he perhaps hoped.Less

28mins 2018-12-24

14. Martin's Close

Adaptation of a ghost story by MR James. 1684. John Martin is on trial for his life. Facing him, the i...More

Adaptation of a ghost story by MR James. 1684. John Martin is on trial for his life. Facing him, the infamous 'hanging judge' George Jeffreys. However, this is not a cut-and-dried murder case.Less

31mins 2019-12-24

15. The Mezzotint

1923. In the heart of an old English college, Edward Williams receives an engraving of of an unknown c...More

1923. In the heart of an old English college, Edward Williams receives an engraving of of an unknown country house with an imposing facade, a sweeping lawn - and, just perhaps, something else.Less

29mins 2021-12-24

16. Count Magnus

The inquisitive Mr Wraxhall discovers that a long-dead Swedish nobleman does not lie easy in his tomb.

The inquisitive Mr Wraxhall discovers that a long-dead Swedish nobleman does not lie easy in his tomb.Less

30mins 2022-12-24

17. Lot No. 249

An Oxford University student becomes obsessed with an ancient Egyptian mummy.

An Oxford University student becomes obsessed with an ancient Egyptian mummy.Less

29mins 2023-12-24

18. Woman of Stone

Newlywed couple Jack and Laura move to a village where a legend says marble knight effigies in the chu...More

Newlywed couple Jack and Laura move to a village where a legend says marble knight effigies in the church come alive on Christmas Eve. Jack dismisses it as folklore, but on Christmas Eve, he feels drawn to the church, leaving Laura alone.Less