We were delighted to host our first LIVE podcast recording at Nevill Holt Festival - an arts and culture festival held in the grounds of Nevill Holt Hall, a historic country house set within a thriving working estate. In front of a packed-out audience of over 200 people, we discussed The rise, fall and rebirth of the English country house through the lens of Nevill Holt Hall - a country house that reads like a biography of English domestic architecture over the past 800 years. For the second hal...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 83
Geoff and Rory are joined by renowned writer, film-maker and Mughal historian, Sam Dalrymple, for a fascinating and storied episode on the history of Elveden Hall in Suffolk. Once the English home of the last ruler of the Sikh Empire - Sir Duleep Singh, Maharajah of Punjab - and now the seat of the Guinness family, Earls of Iveagh, Elveden is a resplendent Mughal palace (complete with scalloped arches, lotus-bud capitals, drop-traceried arcading, and a four-storey Marble Hall reminiscent of the ...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 82
Geoff and Rory are joined by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and his nephew, Ben Montagu-Scott, for a fascinating episode on the extraordinary and storied history of Beaulieu Palace House in the New Forest, Hampshire. Originally the 13th-century gatehouse to a medieval abbey, Beaulieu Palace House is an unusual example of Scots Baronial architecture in southern England (see our episode on Scots Baronial with Dr Ralph St Clair Wade). Owned by the Montagu family since the Dissolution of the Monasteries u...
Jun 03, 2025•53 min•Ep. 81
Geoff and Rory discuss the remarkable life of a Victorian genius; the upwardly mobile Joseph Paxton. The son of a farmer, he found a patron in the 6th Duke of Devonshire and by the age of 23 Paxton was Head Gardener at Chatsworth. He would later become a nationally sought-after engineer and latterly a Member of Parliament. The Silicon Valley entrepreneur of his day, Paxton embraced the latest technology, designing the Great Conservatory and Conservative Wall at Chatsworth, before catapulting to ...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 80
Nestled in the Howardian Hills of ‘God’s own country’ of Yorkshire, something extraordinary is happening at Vanbrugh's great English Baroque masterpiece, Castle Howard. Famed for its seminal role in Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton, for 75 years, an entire wing of Castle Howard has remained a burnt-out shell after fire ravaged the house in 1940. But in recent years, Castle Howard’s current custodian - Nick Howard - and his wife Victoria, have overseen a remarkable 21st century renaissance, br...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 79
This week were are privileged to be joined by legendary architectural trio 'The Three Classicists' to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their seminal exhibition at RIBA (The Royal Institute of British Architects). In May 2010, friends Ben Pentreath, George Saumarez Smith and Francis Terry collaborated as 'The Three Classicists' on an exhibition that showcased their work and beliefs in the noble tradition of classical architecture, particularly through the power of drawing. Joining Geoff and Rory...
May 13, 2025•36 min•Ep. 78
As conclave meets to decide on a new Pope, all eyes are on the Sistine Chapel as millions of Catholics around the world wait in eager anticipation for white smoke to billow from the Chapel chimney. In recognition of this extraordinary ritual, and in tribute to the life of Pope Francis, this week's podcast episode explores one of the great papal palaces of Italy; Castel Gandolfo ('The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo') - the Pope's summer residence 25km outside of Rome. In this episode, Rory t...
May 08, 2025•59 min•Ep. 77
In light of the upcoming sale at Dreweatts auction house entitled 'The Attic Sale: Powderham Castle & Brocklesby Park' (taking place on 3rd June 2025), we are delighted to be joined this week by Charlie Devon (Charles Courtenay, 19th Earl of Devon) to discuss his ancient family seat of Powderham Castle. The Courtenays, a crusader family who came to England with Eleanor of Aquitaine, have lived at Powderham since the 14th century. The house reads like a biography of domestic English country h...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 76
Over the Easter weekend, Christians around the world celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For this episode we decided to choose a country house that has also been somewhat 'resurrected' in recent years! For 800 years, Auckland Castle in County Durham was the seat of the 'Prince Bishop' of Durham. In 2012, following years of decline, it was sold by the Church in a very sad state. However, far from disappearing into history, the house and estate have instead been brought back to ...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 75
In this week's episode we're joined by renowned historian Tim Bouverie to discuss his new book, Allies at War , and the political role that country houses played during the Second World War. From Chequers and Ditchley to the Livadia Palace (location of the Yalta Conference), country houses have long been important instruments of 'soft power' during times of war and peace. Allies at War by Tim Bouverie is published this week and is available from all good bookshops.
Apr 15, 2025•50 min•Ep. 74
This week we look at the rise of a political dynasty - the Ashley-Cooper family, Earls of Shaftesbury - and the evolution of their house in Dorset, St Giles (affectionately known by the 7th Earl as 'The Saint'). Like so many grand houses and their families, the Ashley-Coopers fell upon hard times in the 20th century, and so we also look at the decline of St Giles; from one of the great ancestral seats to little more than a decaying shell at the turn of the millennium. Wonderfully there is a twis...
Apr 08, 2025•53 min•Ep. 73
In this fascinating episode, Geoff gives Rory and our listeners a whistle-stop overview of the famous (or infamous) Mitford sisters; the socialite daughters of the 2nd Lord Redesdale and all great beauties of their day. From Nancy the novelist and Diana the Fascist to Jessica the Communist and of course Debo the Duchess, the six Mitford sisters entranced and scandalised early 20th century British society in equal measure.
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 72
In this episode Rory guides us around one of the great landscapes of England - Studley Royal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of an 18th century water garden surrounding a medieval abbey.
Mar 25, 2025•57 min•Ep. 71
In this episode, Geoff and Rory delve into Eltham Palace - one of the great art deco houses of the 1930's.
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 70
We celebrate Paddy's Day by taking a look into the architecture and history of Castletown House.
Mar 12, 2025•54 min
With Rory on video call, Geoff joins Emma Sims-Hilditch in her home to discuss the evolution of home.
Mar 04, 2025•53 min
In today's episode Geoff and Rory delve into the topic of Swiss Country Houses & Chalets. Remember to send in your Q&A questions to admin@thecountryhousepodcast.com
Feb 25, 2025•56 min
Geoff & Rory celebrate Valentine's with a fascinating tale that intertwines love and country houses.
Feb 18, 2025•41 min
Gareth Williams, Weston Park's Curator, joins Geoff & Rory to discuss the history of the house.
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Geoff & Rory are joined in-person at Blenheim Palace by Henrietta Spencer-Churchill to discuss Easton Neston.
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Geoff and Rory are joined by Eleanor Stephenson to discuss Country House Portraits.
Jan 28, 2025•50 min
In this episode we recognise the transition of power happening in America by discussing the most iconic room in a country house, the Oval Office!
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Remember to send questions to admin@thecountryhousepodcast.com
Jan 16, 2025•13 min
In this episode, Rory quizzes Geoff about the history, purposes, and designs of orangeries, including the famous orangery at Versailles.
Jan 14, 2025•50 min
In this episode, Rory takes us on a journey exploring the history and appeal of calendar houses.
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 60
Join Geoff and Rory as they delve into the meaning and traditions of Hogmanay! Thank you for your support in 2024, we wish you the very best for the new year, and do stick with us as we continue to discuss all things country house! With love, Ben, Geoff and Rory!
Dec 31, 2024•51 min
Geoff is on location at Ven House with architect Mike Fisher, while Rory streams in to discuss what Ven House is like at Christmas.
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 2 min
We are joined in today's episode by Lady Anne Glenconner who regales us with fascinating stories about her life and Mustique. You can purchase her new book at the following link: https://www.waterstones.com/book/lady-glenconners-picnic-papers/anne-glenconner//9781835012383
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Remember to send in your questions to admin@thecountryhousepodcast.com if you'd like your questions answered!
Dec 12, 2024•18 min
In this first of three Christmas episodes, we are joined by Alice Loxton, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, Robert O'Byrne, and Luke White to discuss three excellent books: 18: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives Blenheim: 300 Years of Life in a Palace The Irish Country House: A New Vision
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 11 min
