The English Heritage Podcast

On the 75th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the Second World War, we’re looking back at the long period of military tension that followed. The Cold War between communist Russia and the democratic West was effectively a war of ideologies. But it was also a war in which newly discovered nuclear weapons had the potential to destroy civilisation.One of the eerie monuments to that era is York Cold War bunker in northern England – and joining us to discuss its story while stationed in the depths of the bunker is senior curator Kevin Booth.Unfortunately the bunker remains closed to the public at this time, but to discover more about this site, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/york-cold-war-bunker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by fashion historian Amber Butchart and makeup artist Rebecca Butterworth to discuss the history of makeup and their experiences as the presenters of our popular series of makeup tutorials on YouTube, which explain how to get iconic looks through the ages, from Roman times to the 1940s.Listen on to discover how cosmetics have evolved over time, what they discovered making the series and their favourite historic look to recreate at home.To watch our series of historic makeup tutorials, go to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx2QMoA1Th9dyD5zTlnkvOVZuFYKFXYT9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re heading back to the 1930s and a property that was something of a party palace. Eltham Palace and gardens, nestled in south-east London, is rich in history, with royal residents that include Edward II, a young Henry VIII and Charles I, who was the last king to visit before the Civil War. After centuries of neglect, Eltham was then leased to millionaire socialites Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in 1933, who remodelled it as the Art Deco mansion that exists today.Joining us to discuss Etlham’s history and the lives of its colourful residents and visitors is English Heritage’s properties historians team leader, Dr Andrew Hann.To discover 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 year English Heritage are celebrating the many ways the past has shaped our nation and this week, at a time when mobility is still restricted, we’re looking back at when a new mode of transport changed life in England forever. Before Britain fell in love with the motor car, and long before the dawn of international flights to exotic destinations, the dawn of rail travel marked a new chapter in England’s story.We’re joined by head collections curator, Dr Matt Thompson, to discuss the railways’ lasting legacy on the cultural and physical landscape of England.To discover more about how different influences helped to shape the story of England, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/voicesofengland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 30th anniversary of Brodsworth Hall and Gardens in South Yorkshire being gifted to the nation, we are joined by senior curator Kevin Booth, head gardener Dan Hale and head curator of collections Martin Allfrey to chart the rise, fall and revival of this grand country home that was built for the Thelluson family and their servants in the 1860s.Discover how it came to be in English Heritage’s care, why the decision was made to conserve the property ‘as found’ and how it was reopened to visitors in 1995 to share its remarkable stories.To discover more about Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re heading back the 4th century, when the strength of the Roman Empire was being tested across Europe, including here in Britain. To defend our shores from invaders, the Romans built a series of forts along the coast, which are collectively known as the Saxon Shore Forts.Join us as we interview English Heritage Senior Properties Historian Paul Pattison to find out where they were built, what daily life would have been like at them and what happened to them after the Romans left Britain.To discover more about Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/richborough Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The summer solstice, which brings the longest day of the year, is due to take place on 20 June and, under normal circumstances, thousands of people would gather at Stonehenge to watch the sun rise over the Heel stone. However, as that’s not possible this year, we’re having our own socially distanced celebration.Joining us is Senior Properties Historian, Dr Susan Greaney, to discuss the importance of the solstice to Stonehenge and the other prehistoric monuments aligned with it.To discover more about Stonehenge and the Summer Solstice, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Charles Dickens, we’re joined by English Heritage’s senior historian for blue plaques, Howard Spencer, and Dr Cindy Sughrue, to discuss the author’s life and literary accomplishments at his London home, 48 Doughty Street.Since reinvented as the Charles Dickens Museum, this Georgian house is the only one of his former homes that can be visited by the public today, with an English Heritage blue plaque honouring his rise to fame as one of the world’s greatest storytellers while living here.To discover more about the blue plaques scheme, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/blue-plaques Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back in the studio with Josephine Oxley, keeper of the Wellington Collection at Apsley House, the former London home of the 1st Duke of Wellington, to challenge the view that the duke became romantically involved with every woman he admired.Instead, as Josephine explains, letters, paintings and other objects from the collection at Apsley paint a very different picture of Wellington and the women of influence who were his friends.To discover more about Apsley House and the Duke of Wellington, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/apsley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 80th anniversary of Operation Dynamo during the Second World War, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Paul Pattison to discover how the rescue of 338,000 allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk was masterminded by Vice Admiral Bertram Ramsay from deep inside Dover Castle’s top-secret tunnels.Learn about the events leading up to it, how it was accomplished and why it was such an important turning point in the war. Plus, listen to an interview with former Army Signalman and Operation Dynamo veteran, Richard Sheen, to understand what life was like at Dover Castle at the time. Sadly, Richard passed away in 2019 at the age of 99. This episode is dedicated to him and his family.To discover more about Dover Castle and Operation Dynamo, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/dover Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices