The English Heritage Podcast

As summer turns to autumn and harvest time approaches, we’re joined by curator of collections and interiors Eleanor Matthews and properties curator Winn Scutt to learn about the agricultural history of two very different properties – Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire and Leigh Court Barn in Worcestershire. Join us to discover how they were farmed, what working life at both sites was like and what would have been happening here during harvest time.To discover more about Brodsworth Hall or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth.To discover more about Leigh Court Barn or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/leigh-court-barn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Head Properties Curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee, to explore the history of Restormel Castle in Cornwall.Standing in ruins surrounded by beautiful countryside in a valley with views down to the River Fowey, Restormel is one of the most remarkable castles in Britain. We discuss who built it, how it was used, its royal visitors and its links with the Duchy of Cornwall.To discover more about Restormel Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/restormel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Properties Historian, Dr Andrew Roberts, and Curator of Hadrian's Wall, Dr Frances McIntosh, to answer all of your questions about the Romans. Discover why the Romans never conquered all the British Isles, how long it took to get a letter to Rome from Hadrian’s Wall, whether Romans ever really used urine as a mouthwash and much more!To discover more about life in Roman Britain, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/romans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the second helping in our series about historic food and feasts, we’re joined by Curator of Collections and Interiors Cameron Moffett, and Senior Properties Curator Louise Bartlett, to discuss a 13th century feast that took place at Stokesay Castle in Shropshire.We’ll discover who was hosting, their guest of honour, what was on the menu and the politics of the medieval dining table. To discover more about Stokesay Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stokesaycastle This series is brought to you by Côte at Home, who offer a wide range of luxury chilled meals and French wines, delivered direct to your door, from the kitchens of the Côte Brasserie restaurants.To get a free bottle of French red or white wine with your first order over £60, go to www.coteathome.co.uk and use the promo code EH-RED or EH-WHITE at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Visiting gardens became a favourite pursuit of 18th century upper classes. It’s also a passion that many of us enjoy today: visiting historic gardens, admiring carefully crafted landscapes and maybe even picking up a few ideas for our own outdoor spaces. But were the garden tourists of the Georgian era anything like us?To answer that question and more, we’re joined by English Heritage Landscape Advisor, Emily Parker and PhD researcher, Jemima Hubbertsey.To discover a selection of English Heritage’s finest historic gardens, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/historic-gardens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britain’s beaches are a popular day trip destination when the sun is shining, but this wasn’t always the case. Joining us to discuss the origins of the beach holiday, the history of British seaside resorts and how visits to the seaside have changed over the centuries is Dr Allan Brodie, a senior investigator at Historic England and a visiting fellow at Bournemouth University.To discover a selection of English Heritage’s best historic beach escapes, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/travel-guides/beach-escapes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re discussing the story of a 17th century woman who left an amazing literary legacy. Alice Thornton wrote four books, including three autobiographies, which provide a remarkable insight into life during the English Civil Wars.Joining us to discuss Alice’s story, including her connection to the English Heritage site of Middleham Castle in North Yorkshire, are Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Edinburgh Dr Cordelia Beattie, English Heritage Properties Historian Will Wyeth and Post-Doctoral Researcher Dr Jo Edge.To discover more about Middleham Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/middlehamcastle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Michael Carter to discuss the story of Anglo-Saxon England’s conversion to Christianity and the key people behind it. Many of you will have heard of St Augustine, but what about St Hild, Hadrian or Milburga, or even Queen Bertha? Join us to discover the role these medieval missionaries played and the sites you can visit today to find out more.To discover more about England’s top abbeys or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/travel-guides/top-abbeys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re on the banks of the River Rye in North Yorkshire to discover how its precious water helped to sustain the monks who lived here for just over 400 years. This relationship between the monks and the river – and the ingenious ways they managed the water – is the focus of a new exhibition being hosted at the abbey.Joining us to explain more are English Heritage Collections Curator Susan Harrison, Ryevitalise Programme Manager for the North York Moors National Park Authority Alexandra Cripps, and Ryevitalise Graduate Niamh Byrne.To discover more about Rievaulx Abbey or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulxabbey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever been to an historic site and wondered about the people who lived there? Or the people who died there? Or maybe even those who are buried there? St Peter's Church at Barton-on-the-Humber in north Lincolnshire is home to a large collection of human bones stored in its ossuary.Joining us to reveal the story of the church, its ossuary, and the human remains housed here are Senior Curator Kevin Booth and Human Skeletal Biologist at Historic England, Dr Simon Mays.To discover more about St Peter’s Church or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-peters-church-barton-upon-humber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices