Actor and writer Lolita Chakrabarti takes her friend, artist Sara Shamma, to the Horniman Museum & Gardens in London, where they explore a collection that’s full of surprises. As they wander the galleries and grounds, the unusual items they discover prompt conversations about their inspirations as artists, the stories we tell about the past, and memories of time spent together as friends and neighbours. And – they even make a furry friend on the Animal Walk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor Jack Lowden takes his friend Andrew Rothney to the National Museum of Scotland, where they explore Scottish history, including Mary, Queen of Scots and the Jacobite uprisings. They discuss their shared love of castles and adventures, their experiences playing historical figures, and their personal connections to the artifacts they discover.

Join us for series 6 of Meet Me at the Museum from 7 October, where our star presenters discover fascinating stories at some of their favourite museums across the UK. Join actor Jack Lowden at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh; actor and writer Lolita Chakrabarti at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in London; writer and photographer Caleb Azumah Nelson at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery; host of The Guilty Feminist podcast Deborah Frances-White and actor Russell Tovey at the Design Museum; and more. To hear every episode, follow Meet Me at the Museum wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah explores Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery with his friend Robert, where they reminisce about growing up in the city, the people who’ve shaped it, and Birmingham’s cultural and political history. Together they look at Benjamin’s first-ever typewriter, where his journey as a writer began, artefacts from important protests, and a very special installation – an original curry house booth.Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor Mathew Horne visits the Museum of Brands in London with his partner, set designer Celina Bassili, where they encounter a remarkable collection of objects, packaging and design that tell a fascinating story about modern life. Together they enter the museum’s ‘time tunnel’, where iconic products from the past 150 years spark conversations about nostalgia, the power of advertising, and how brands have shaped their lives and informed their professions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Musician and singer-songwriter Kizzy Crawford takes her sister Neli Shields to National Museum Cardiff, where they take a trip through time and explore aspects of Welsh history and culture. Together they reflect on their ideas of home and belonging, growing up in a creative family, and how they can relate to some of the figures they encounter at the museum – including another pair of art-loving siblings from history.Credits:Audio clips of Bokani and Paul Robeson are part of a sound art installation within the exhibit (un)Seen (un)Heard. With thanks to the British Library for providing copies.Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poet and social activist Malik Al Nasir visits the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool with his friend and colleague Leona Vaughn, exploring the important and harrowing story of the transatlantic slave trade, resistance and abolition, and the enduring impact of these events on the world today. The pair take an emotional journey through the stories of black women in history, the challenges posed by displaying sensitive subject matter, and their own personal stories of family and ancestry.Guidance for listeners: Please be aware that this episode of Meet Me at the Museum contains audio which some may find upsetting.Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Fern Brady takes her boyfriend Conor to the Roman Baths in Bath, where they discover how the Romans’ ‘curse tablets’ compare to irate Facebook statuses of today, look at the representation of sexuality in Roman times, and even get to taste a sample of the water. During their visit they consider what connects us with the Romans through time, and how people have used the Baths as a meeting place for thousands of years.  Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer and podcaster Elizabeth Day takes her husband Justin Basini to the Imperial War Museum in London, where they uncover poignant and personal stories of displacement, home and identity affecting people around the world today. Together they look at events from the First World War to the present day, explore objects synonymous with war and reflect on their families’ own experiences of conflict. Note: As part of their visit Elizabeth and Justin experience some of the temporary exhibitions in the museum’s current ‘Refugees’ season (closing 23 May 2021). With museums expected to reopen on 17 May, you’ve only got a week to see this season at IWM London and its sister exhibition, Aid Workers, at IWM North in Manchester, but keep an eye on the museums’ social media channels for updates. Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines. Credits: The immersive experience A Face to Open Doors, by artists Anagram, and Refugees: Forced to Flee, an exhibition supported by AHRC and ESRC, form part of IWM’s Refugees season. The season is free to visit at IWM London until 23 May 2021 (iwm.org.uk/refugees). Score for Battle of the Somme film – Laura RossiThank you to artist Grace Schwindt and musician Tobias Vethake for use of the music from Remembering Home, on display in the exhibition Refugees: Forced to Flee.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Me at the Museum is back! Join us for series 5 of the silver British Podcast Award-winning show from 11 March, featuring six new episodes including Elizabeth Day at the Imperial War Museum, Benjamin Zephaniah at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and Mathew Horne at the Museum of Brands. To hear every episode, please subscribe to Meet Me at the Museum wherever you listen to your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.