
Radio Oldie
The Oldie magazine’s podcast featuring discussion and debate around the lead features in the latest magazine, plus live recordings from our famous Literary Lunches. Presented by Harry Mount.
Latest episodes

Feb 24, 2025 • 43min
347: A. N. Wilson in conversation with Harry Mount
Britain’s greatest man of letters, A. N. Wilson, tells Harry Mount about the genius of Goethe, the decline of the Church of England and his addiction to journalism.

Feb 15, 2025 • 28min
346: Ben Okri in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Sir Ben Okri, the Booker Prize-winning author and poet, talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest book, Madame Sosotris and the Festival for The Broken Hearted, and his collection of African stories for Everyman. He talks to her about being broken hearted, how the Booker Prize changed his life, being homeless and the acclaimed poem he wrote in response to the Grenfell Tower fire, as well as sharing his views on the current state of our unsettled world.

Feb 12, 2025 • 13min
345: Victoria Hislop at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Victoria Hislop speaking about her new book, The Figurine, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 11th 2025.

Feb 12, 2025 • 9min
344: James Stourton at the Oldie Literary Lunch
James Stourton speaking about his new book, Rogues & Scholars: Boom and Bust in the London Art Market, 1945-2000, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 11th 2025.”

Feb 11, 2025 • 7min
343: Liz Hodgkinson at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Liz Hodgkinson speaking about her new book, A Mink Coat in St Neots, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 11th 2025.”

Feb 10, 2025 • 19min
342: Lucinda Lambton on Britain’s Quirkiest Buildings
One of our leading architectural historians, Lucinda Lambton tells Harry Mount about Hebridean castles, eccentric lavatories and Overlooked Britain - her Oldie column.

Feb 2, 2025 • 33min
341: The extraordinary life of Elisabeth Luard, food writer, author, painter and Oldie columnist
Elisabeth Luard talks to Charlotte Metcalf with warmth and candour about her passion for cooking and food, her extensive travels, her upbringing in Uruguay and time as a debutante in London during the 50s, motherhood, her long marriage to Nicholas Luard, the one-time owner of Private Eye and founder of the satirical Establishment Club with Peter Cook. She also describes the harrowing death of her daughter to AIDS and talks about her life now and loving - finally - having a ‘room of her own’ in Acton.

Jan 27, 2025 • 32min
340: Peter York in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Peter York is a British author and cultural and social commentator, perhaps best know for co-authoring The Official Sloane Rangers Handbook with Ann Barr in 1982. He was Style Editor of Harpers & Queen for ten years and recently started up a new podcast about culture wars, the subject of his latest book A Dead Cat On Your Table.

Jan 22, 2025 • 13min
339: Hugh Johnson at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Hugh Johnson speaking about his new book, Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2025, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 21st 2025.”

Jan 22, 2025 • 9min
338: Tim Marshall at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Tim Marshall speaking about his new book, Prisoners Of Geography: the Quiz Book, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 21st 2025.