The English Heritage Podcast

This week, we’re marking a new chapter in the story of Marble Hill, an eye-catching early Georgian villa set in 66 acres of parkland near the River Thames in Twickenham, south-west London. As it reopens following an 8-million-pound project to revive the house and grounds, we explore the history of this riverside Palladian home, its builder Henrietta Howard, its collections and its garden.Joining us to pick up the story are Senior Properties Historian Dr Megan Leyland, Curator of Collections and Interiors Dr Tessa Kilgarriff and Landscape Advisor Emily Parker.To discover more about Marble Hill or plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/marblehill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back for the final instalment of our four-part mini-series on the story of Hadrian’s Wall on its 1,900th anniversary. From the end of Roman control in Britain to the medieval period and the rediscovery of the wall by early archaeologists, we’re looking at the legacy of Hadrian’s Wall. We also consider how the remains of the Wall and its forts are being conserved for future generations.Joining us to guide us on this journey back to the present day are Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts and Curator of Hadrian’s Wall Dr Frances McIntosh.To discover more about Hadrian’s Wall or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/hadrianswall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first in a three-part mini-series on feasts that were enjoyed at English Heritage sites through the ages. To get us started, we’re headed back in time to visit Lullingstone Roman Villa in Kent. Giving us a flavour of what a Roman feast at Lullingstone would have looked (and tasted) like is Curator of Collections and Interiors Dr Kathryn Bedford.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.To learn more about Lullingstone Roman Villa or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/lullingstone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re concluding our two-part mini-series on the Wars of the Roses as we chart Richard III’s role in the final phases of the conflicts. He remains one of the most controversial kings in English history – accused of murdering his nephews to protect his throne. But who was the real Richard III?We’re joined by Curator of Collections & Interiors, Dickon Whitewood to find out.To discover more about Richard III’s childhood home, Middleham Castle, or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/middleham-castle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re back on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire for the third instalment of our Hadrian’s Wall mini-series. Discover what happened to the Wall following the death of Emperor Hadrian in AD 138 and how life along it evolved until the end of Roman rule in Britain.Joining us to pick up the story are Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts and curator of Hadrian’s Wall and the North East region Dr Frances McIntosh.To discover more about Hadrian’s Wall or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/hadrianswall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ranger’s House is an elegant Georgian villa on the boundary of Greenwich Park and Blackheath, which houses The Wernher Collection, a world-class art collection amassed by the 19th-century businessman, Sir Julius Wernher. However, in more recent times, its façade has become famous as the star of Netflix period drama Bridgerton.We’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Megan Leyland and Head of Commercial Development Kingston Myles to learn about the history of Ranger’s House and how it was reinvented on-screen as Bridgerton House.To discover more about Ranger’s House or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/rangershouse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edmund was King of East Anglia in the 9th century before becoming England’s original patron saint. Today, very little is known about his life, but the legends of his grisly death developed into a cult centred on his shrine at Bury St Edmunds Abbey, which was founded by King Cnut in 1020. As the cult grew, so did the abbey, which became one of the largest monastic sites in the country.We’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Steven Brindle and Interpretation Manager Jessica Freeland to learn about Edmund’s reign, death and canonisation, along with the plans to share his story with visitors to the abbey today.To discover more about Bury St Edmunds Abbey or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bury-st-edmunds-abbey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Steven Brindle to answer all of your questions about the Victorian period.Discover what the Victorians liked to eat and drink, their attitudes to child labour, how they expressed themselves through clothing, art and architecture, and Queen Victoria’s lifestyle at Osborne.To discover more about Osborne or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/osborne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Standing tall in the centre of historic York for almost 800 years, Clifford’s Tower has undergone a transformation to conserve its walls and create a multi-sensory celebration of its stories.Joining us to explain more are Head Properties Curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee, Senior National Project Manager Rachael Baldwin and Interpretation Manager Ruth Haycock.To discover more about Clifford’s Tower or to plan a visit to see it for yourself, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/cliffords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new tour launching this summer explores the LGBTQ+ history behind a number of objects in the Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House in Blackheath, London.We’re joined by Senior Interpretation Manager Nick Collinson, Properties Historian Andrew Roberts and Young Producer Katie Burke to find out how and why they created the tour, and to reveal the LGBTQ+ history connected to a selection of the objects included.To discover more about Ranger’s House or to plan a visit to take the tour, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/rangershouse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices