The English Heritage Podcast

For the third and final course of our mini-series on feasts enjoyed at English Heritage sites through the ages, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Nick Holder and Senior Curator Kevin Booth to look back at the feasting and food preparation that took place at one of England’s biggest and best-preserved medieval manor houses: Gainsborough Old Hall. Discover who built the hall, who worked in its kitchens and the kings who came to dine here.To find out more or plan a visit to Gainsborough Old Hall, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/gainsborough-old-hall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by English Heritage Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter and Dr Mary Going, a Research Associate at the University of Sheffield, to discuss how the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire played their part in inspiring Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel Dracula.Discover what brought Stoker to the abbey, how the author developed his famous story and the Guinness World Record attempt inspired by the 125th anniversary of the publication of the book.To find out more about Whitby Abbey and Dracula, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/whitby-abbey/history-and-stories/dracula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the autumn nights draw in and our thoughts turn to chilling tales of death, darkness and the afterlife, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter to discuss historical beliefs about the supernatural and commemoration, and their significance to monastic sites in English Heritage's care.Learn about ghost-story-loving monks, the Gothic imagination and a new series of free events that will use the dead to bring the past vividly back to life for today’s visitors.To find out more or book one of the upcoming Revenants and Remains events, go to www.revenantsandremains.mmu.ac.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a sneak preview of the latest special exhibition at Stonehenge, which reveals the surprising parallels between our most famous Neolithic monument and the stone circles created in Japan at Isedotai and Ōyu during the same period.Talking us through the similarities – and differences – are Interpretation Manager Melanie Coussens and Dr Simon Kaner, the executive director of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures. Plus, we reveal the must-see exhibits, the colourful characters that have been created to guide visitors and what the objects in the exhibition tell us about prehistoric life at Stonehenge.To find out more or plan your visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Steven Brindle to discuss the story of one of London’s more usual landmarks – the Wellington Arch.Discover why it was built, how it came to be in one of the capital’s most coveted locations and why it’s giant quadriga sculpture courted controversy. We’ll also reveal the many ways it has been used over the last 200 years and what you can expect to find during a visit today. To find out more about the Wellington Arch or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wellington-arch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we prepare to recreate the events of the Battle of Hastings, we’re profiling the man who lost on that battlefield in 1066. A man who (if you believe a certain tapestry) was killed by an arrow to the eye. Here to talk about the rise, reign and fall of Harold Godwinson is historian, author and expert on the middle ages, Dr Marc Morris.Plus, we’re joined by English Heritage Event Manager Diana Evans to find out what you can expect to see at this year’s re-enactment.To plan a visit to 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, or book your place at this year’s event, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/battle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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