The English Heritage Podcast

This week, we’re heading behind the scenes at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens as the finishing touches are put on the major project to conserve and transform this historic country estate in Northumberland. Joining us to talk us through the project – which was partly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – and the history that has been brought to life as a result are national project manager Cheryl Moore, properties historians' team leader Dr Andrew Hann and senior gardens advisor Dr Michael Klemperer. To discover more about Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we think of our most famous prehistoric site, Stonehenge, we don’t automatically think of flowers. But in 1842, the site played host to a huge dahlia exhibition, attended by around 10,000 people.Joining us to reveal the story of this event and how it is being recreated over four days this autumn are English Heritage landscape advisor and historian Louise Crawley and archivist for the National Dahlia Society David Brown.To learn more about the history of Stonehenge or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined in the studio by senior properties historian Paul Pattison and senior properties curator Roy Porter to answer all the questions we received about the English Civil Wars and Restoration from English Heritage Members and followers on our social media.Join us to discover the origins of the war, if the Roundheads always intended the country to become a republic and the role of Scotland, Ireland and Wales in the conflicts. We’ll also reveal if Oliver Cromwell really did cancel Christmas, how Charles II evaded the Parliamentary soldiers and what provided the turning point between the execution of Charles I and his son being crowned king.To learn more about the origins, events and legacy of the English Civil Wars, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/the-english-civil-wars-history-and-stories/the-english-civil-wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by broadcaster and author Anita Anand and historian Susan Skedd to reveal the story of Indian princess, campaigner for women’s votes and goddaughter of Queen Victoria, Sophia Duleep Singh.Join us as we reveal how she came to be part of the British royal family, her role in the Suffragette movement and the story behind her blue plaque at her former London residence near Hampton Court.For more details about Princess Sophia Duleep Singh’s blue plaque, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/sophia-duleep-singh.With thanks to The Taylormade Trio who you can hear performing at the unveiling of Sophia’s plaque, in May 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland to look back at the remarkable life and achievements of this former duchess, philosopher, poet, playwright, science-fiction pioneer and socialite on the 400th anniversary of her birth.Discover how Margaret Cavendish became one of the most published women of the 17th century, how she came to live at Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire and what you can learn about her during a visit today.For more details about Bolsover Castle or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/bolsover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Erroll Flynn and Sean Connery are just a few of the actors who have performed as Robin Hood on the big screen. But who was this legendary English outlaw, whose name continues to be recognised worldwide centuries later?Helping us to understand the story of Robin Hood and his connection to English Heritage sites you can visit today are our two guests: English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and professor of late medieval and Reformation history at the University of Liverpool, Dr Martin Heale.To plan a visit to the English Heritage sites referenced in this episode, go to: Whitby Abbey: www.english-heritage.org.uk/whitby Rievaulx Abbey: www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulxabbey Roche Abbey: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/roche-abbey Rufford Abbey: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rufford-abbey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by two English Heritage curators of collections and interiors, Louise Cooling and Peter Moore, to paint a picture of one of the greatest portrait artists of the 18th century, Sir Joshua Reynolds.Discover the story of his life and art, the Reynolds paintings you can find on display at Kenwood in London today and how we’re celebrating the 300th anniversary of his birth.To discover more about Kenwood or plan a visit to see its art collection yourself, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we head into the summer holidays, we’re turning back time to the early 20th century to explore the world with a very well-heeled couple. Stephen and Virginia Courtauld lived at Eltham Palace in southeast London, but when they weren’t in residence, which was often during the British winter, they could be found cruising the world in luxury on board ocean-going liners or their own private yacht. And their well-documented travels provide a fascinating insight into the lifestyles of the 1930s wealthy elite and an era before commercial flights had gone mainstream.Taking a trip with us — and the Courtaulds — is English Heritage’s properties historians team leader Dr Andrew Hann.To read more about the Courtauld’s travels, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/courtaulds-cruisesTo read more about Eltham Palace or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/eltham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by English Heritage properties curator Win Scutt at Arthur’s Stone in Herefordshire. We will be exploring the history of this 5,000-year-old neolithic tomb, where a team of archaeologists are about to embark on the latest round of excavations to uncover its secrets.Join us as we discuss why this fascinating site was built, who used it, what we’re hoping to discover and how you can join us to see the excavations taking place.To find out more about Arthur’s Stone or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/arthursstone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When people think of the medieval peasant, they may conjure up images of the character Baldrick from the TV series Blackadder, who has arguably become the poster boy of peasantry. For most, the term ‘peasant’ suggests poverty, ignorance, missing teeth, threadbare rags and poor personal hygiene, but how close is this negative image to the truth? And what was daily life actually like for them? Joining us to separate fact from fiction are English Heritage properties historian Al Oswald and Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Leicester Christopher Dyer, who were both involved in the investigations at the famous deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy in North Yorkshire. To find out more about Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wharram-percy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices