Featured stories

Explore the Story Hive with our author's picks and most popular stories.

Start listening
 

The Story Hive

Listen to exclusive short stories, non-fiction and serialised novels.

Explore our collections
 

Stories for children

From adventures to bedtime stories and life lessons, we have children’s stories for all ages.

Explore stories for kids
 

Laugh out loud

Let yourself be delighted and entertained with stories from our humour section.

Explore funny stories
 

Dive into a novel

Tazzie and Howl, the first of our serialised novels, is a wonderful adventure for all ages.

Start listening
 

Thrills and chills

For gripping stories that will have you on the edge of your seat, check out our thriller section.

Explore thriller stories
1
1

Latest Stories

April 2, 2024

The Gallery: The Wednesday Couple

They say that many of us have a shared love of art. But just how deep that sharing goes is a mystery.
Phil Ryan
Love0
April 2, 2024

The Gallery: The Double

It's a well-known fact that truth is often stranger than fiction. And in this spirit, we all know that somewhere out there, there is probably someone who looks exactly the…
Phil Ryan
Love0
April 2, 2024

The Gallery: The Clue

It is a historical fact that many ancient paintings contain symbolism and hidden meanings. But just what those meanings are will surprise everybody!
Phil Ryan
Love0
March 18, 2024

The Gallery: Sir Joshua’s Vision

They often say there are many hidden meanings in old paintings. But the meaning hidden in this painting is one that no-one could ever have expected.
Phil Ryan
Love0
March 11, 2024

The Gallery: The Offcut

They say every picture tells a story. But that's only if you can see the full picture. Sometimes everything you see isn't quite what it seems.
Phil Ryan
Love0
February 27, 2024

The Gallery: The Wooden Egg

We often see small items in museums that once belonged to somebody. But in truth, we often have no idea of the true story behind them. Prepare to go "aah"!
Phil Ryan
Love0

Welcome to the Story Hive, the home of amazing audio stories!

The Story Hive is a place full of free stories you can listen to at home, in the park, in the car, on a train, by the ocean, or wherever you go. From short stories to serialised novels, from the humorous to the dark, for adults and children – we have stories for everyone.

Browse stories

Featured stories

Not sure where to start? Explore our author’s picks and most popular stories to  get a taste of the amazing range of audio entertainment waiting for you inside the Story Hive.

Collections

Short fiction

September in Rome

This collection of short stories follows the interwoven lives of fascinating characters in the Eternal City, filled with love, laughs and thrills.

Go to collection

The Crime Files

The secret files of a high-ranking, retired police officer offer a glimpse into true crime stories that the public never knew about until now: fact or fiction?

Go to collection

The Other Place

A collection of short stories that will transport you to strange, alternative worlds, where things and people are never quite what they seem

Go to collection

The Storm House

Spellbinding modern fiction stories, ranging from humorous to very dark, featuring everyday characters in intense and enthralling situations.

Go to collection

Just the Job

Every person’s job has a story and many are more fantastical than you could ever imagine. Take a look beyond the obvious and meet some extraordinary people.

Go to collection

The World of Ink and Dreams

Every tattoo tells a story: this gorgeous collection of stories about the art of ink on skin will take you into a world beyond your wildest dreams.

Go to collection

Love Stories

Love is all around us, and it comes in many shapes and colours. This collection celebrates the many different kinds of love we will find in a lifetime.

Go to collection

The Random Emails File

The art of the letter for the 21st century: Email exchanges ranging from funny to  bizarre – prepare to be moved and entertained.

Go to collection

Uncle Phil’s Slightly Altered Fairy Stories

A completely irreverent and slightly saucy rewriting of your favourite fairy tales – strictly for adults only!

Go to collection

The  Horror Club

A selection of darkly clever and terrifying horror stories, not for the fainthearted. It’s probably best to keep the lights on when you listen…

Go to collection

Shakespeare’s Sonnets

This is a collection of my favourite Shakespeare sonnets. Over the coming year I’ll be inviting guest readers to join us on the Story Hive, delivering their favourite ones too.

Go to collection

The Gallery

A series of engaging tales from a well-known London gallery. Can you guess which one?

Go to collection

Falling Into The Sky

A collection of poetry and prose.

Go to collection

True stories

Overheard In London

You can believe your ears with these genuine conversations overheard in cafes, museums and public places around London and the UK.

Go to collection

True Stories

An amazing collection of true stories that were told to – or actually happened to – author Phil Ryan during his career. Prepared to have your jaw drop.

Go to collection

Longer fiction & novels

Circular Motion: A Short Novel

Follow the progress of a falling satellite across a continent and the lives it touches in a series of unbelievable and entertaining ways.

Go to collection

Tazzie & Howl: A Novel

A charming tale of a young boy scout, his friends and their dog Howl going on a magical adventure in the late 1960s.

Go to collection

Radio Plays

A collection of radio plays offering everything from life-affirming tales to humour and horror.

Go to collection

Stories for children

Sleepy Bedtime Stories

Stories written for children aged 3-6 to listen to at bedtime, featuring a wonderful cast of characters having little adventures.

Go to collection

The House of Eternal Summer

A delightful children’s book for ages 8-12, full of charming tales that gently explore the many emotions children encounter growing up.

Go to collection

Sleep, mindfulness & meditation

The Sleep Room

Voice-guided exercises designed to help you get into a better sleeping cycles, perfect for those struggling with insomnia and poor sleep

Go to collection

The Meditation Circle

Guided meditation exercises to help you relax, for first-time meditators and experienced folks alike.

Go to collection

Things You Really Need To Know

Phil Ryan has travelled the world for the last forty years in an extraordinary career. Along the way, he has learned many life lessons and felt it a good idea to jot some of them down.

Go to collection