Jo and Katherine continue their bikepacking adventure, starting day two in Bude, with a surprise twist after breakfast, before heading up the coast to Devon. They visit the National Trust’s smallest property, Hawkers Hut, on the way and join in an activity Jo last did at the age of eight. With thanks to Raleigh UK Production Hosts: Jo Dyson and Katherine Moore, and introduced by Claire Hickinbotham Producers: Sean Douglas, Pippa Tilbury-Harris, Claire Hickinbotham Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez Disco...
Aug 15, 2024•22 min
What happens when you combine backpacking and cycling? In this classic 2-parter we join Jo Dyson as she gets to grips with ‘bikepacking’ under the expert guidance of Katherine Moore and tackles the unforgiving hills of the north Cornish coast. With thanks to Raleigh UK Production Hosts: Jo Dyson and Katherine Moore, and introduced by Claire Hickinbotham Producers: Sean Douglas, Pippa Tilbury-Harris, Claire Hickinbotham Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more To visit Hawkers Hut there is a 40 mi...
Aug 15, 2024•23 min
In this classic episode, you’re invited to a midnight party happening deep in the woods. Meet the ravers, movers and shakers as they emerge from slumber to rule nature’s nightclub. Ranger Kate Martin heads out into the twilight landscape of Cragside, Northumberland in search of bats, moths and underwater noise makers. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound editor: Jesus Gomez With thanks to Bat Conservation Trust; Kosta Manser from the University of Bristol; Dave Chesmore...
Aug 01, 2024•19 min
Deep under the hillsides of Carmarthenshire lie the remains of the UK’s only known Roman gold mines. With a head torch to guide the way, James Grasby ventures into the void to unearth the secrets that lurk in the darkness and finds out the pioneering efforts that the Romans went to in order to extract this precious metal. Click here to view these show notes in Welsh [Ad from our sponsor] This podcast episode is sponsored by family history website Findmypast . What was life like for domestic serv...
Jul 18, 2024•24 min
Ex-professional footballer Tayshan Hayden-Smith turned to the healing power of nature after the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in 2017. Since then, he’s been on a journey to bring access to nature to all. He shows ranger Kate Martin around his local community garden and together they see that a garden can be anywhere and anything. Later Kate heads to the National Trust’s Sutton House to see the garden they’ve created out of an old car scrapyard and learns how to grow in small and unusual spaces. [A...
Jun 27, 2024•23 min
If you didn’t have money and a way to support yourself and your family in the 1800s you might be forced to go into the workhouse. Find out what life was really like for the men, women and children who ended up there. Heading into the Workhouse, even if modern times, feels ominous and foreboding. Walk alongside Curator James Grasby as he enters The Workhouse and Infirmary in Southwell and takes on the role of an inmate in 1871. He meets the tyrannical Master of the house and discovers what work h...
Jun 13, 2024•26 min
When one man set off on a walk around the UK coast, little did he know that adopting a rescue dog would change the course of his life. Christian Lewis was at rock bottom when he embarked on a journey that would last 6 years, but it was ‘Jet’ and the power of nature, that would piece him back together to lead him onto a life that would otherwise have been unimaginable for this army veteran. [Ad from our sponsor] This podcast is supported by Forthglade natural pet food, founding partner of the Nat...
May 23, 2024•23 min
The Philae Obelisk at Kingston Lacy in Dorset is an ancient reminder of a very different world. Learn about its origins, why it came to be in England and how its hand-carved inscriptions were key to unlocking the secrets of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Listen to this classic episode from our series 125 Treasures, presented by Alison Steadman. [Ad from our sponsor] This podcast episode is sponsored by family history website Findmypast . What was life like for domestic servants, workers and local communi...
May 09, 2024•28 min
Join us as we celebrate the season of blossom with poetry and music written and produced by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and his band LYR. In this episode, Simon shares the inspiration behind his poetry, and the band discuss how they produced the song Blossom: A CV and collaborated with community choirs as part of the Blossomise album. Production Producer: Jesse Edbrooke Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Find out more about Simon Armitage and his poetry www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/...
Apr 18, 2024•17 min
In the 1930s, the mysterious Ferguson’s Gang captivated the British public with their daring and unusual stunts. Led by the enigmatic “Bill Stickers”, the group was unlike any other gangsters of the era. They were mask-wearing, all-women activists who gave money in quirky ways to help save the countryside. In this docudrama, uncover the identities of the people behind the secretive Ferguson's Gang, and unravel a tale of intrigue, mischief and mayhem that made a lasting impact on British heritage...
Apr 03, 2024•30 min
For the past few years Holnicote Estate, Exmoor National Park, has been home to furry inhabitants engineering a solution to local flooding, and developing a habitat not seen in the UK for centuries. In this episode we revisit the site to check in on its charismatic residents. And discover the exciting news of a growing brood of babies, just in time for Christmas. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Katy Kelly Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Learn more about Holnicote Estate and take a...
Dec 14, 2023•25 min
Drag and British history go hand in hand with each other when the two meet on the stage. From Shakespeare to Pantomime the idea of gender play as part of performance has been a staple of British culture for centuries. Growing up, Drag Queen Misty Monique thought it was a bit unfair that at the weddings she went to, men wore suits while women could wear a variety of outfits and costumes. Discovering drag opened a whole new world of expression and also a means to entertain. Misty heads to the stag...
Oct 12, 2023•20 min
In 1939, archaeologists uncovered a “ghost ship” under the acidic sandy soil of Sutton Hoo, in Suffolk. Now, presenter James Grasby reimagines the last journey of that vessel, and who was aboard, as it was hauled from the water and dragged to its final resting place at Sutton Hoo some 1,400 years ago. Embark on the last voyage of this Anglo-Saxon burial ship and learn how its discovery changed our understanding of a civilisation. Production Host: James Grasby Producer: Pippa Tilbury-Harris Sound...
Sep 21, 2023•25 min
In March 1939 a group of 23 children and their two adult guardians stepped off a coach in Waddesdon village, Buckinghamshire. The arrivals were Jewish refugees who had escaped Nazi Germany, where they had been forced to leave behind their homes and loved ones. With support from their sponsors James and Dorothy de Rothschild and the local community, the children began a new life in England. Presenter Diane Kenwood uncovers an extraordinary story of survival and hope in one of history’s darkest pe...
Sep 07, 2023•31 min
Geocaching is the 21st century answer to treasure hunting with items hidden across the world in towns, cities, forests and wild expanses. Novice Jo Dyson and expert Rich Foster embark on a modern-day adventure at the 320-million-year-old Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire. Follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs, druids and Victorian day-trippers across this rugged landscape in search of hidden gems. Production Host: Jo Dyson and Rich Foster Producer: Jack Glover/Claire Hickinbotham Sound editor: Jesus Gom...
Aug 24, 2023•21 min
Join a tour of a garden designed for pleasure, as we relive its party heyday. Claremont in Surrey once played host to events described as the lovechild of a festival and a palace garden party. Presenter James Grasby uncovers the best spots, the shenanigans they elicited, and the most incredible views reminiscent of scenes from hit Netflix drama, Bridgerton. Production Host: James Grasby Producer: Claire Hickinbotham Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Find out more about Claremont Landscape ...
Aug 10, 2023•20 min
Journey to a tiny island renowned for adventure. Brownsea Island, off England’s southwest coast is the birthplace of the Scout movement and where history and the outdoors collide for a favourite British pastime, camping. Join presenter Jo Dyson as she spends the night in a tree tent and discovers what this unique island has to offer after dark. Production Host: Jo Dyson Producer: Pippa Tilbury-Harris Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more If you’d like to book a stay at the Brownsea Island camp...
Jul 27, 2023•21 min
Take a tour through time as we explore the rich past and promising future of Castlefield Viaduct – a Victorian railway bridge transformed into a green oasis and bustling garden in the heart of the Manchester city skyline. Production Host: Michelle Douglass Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Find out more about visiting Castlefield Viaduct: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/castlefield-viaduct Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favo...
Jul 13, 2023•22 min
Revisit a favourite episode from our mini series 125 Treasures . Join actor Alison Steadman and explore the story behind Hambletonian, Rubbing Down, a painting by George Stubbs at Mount Stewart in County Down. Delve into the world of horse racing and uncover the hidden criticisms of this treasure's past owner. Production Host: Alison Steadman Producer: Claire Hickinbotham/Sean Douglas Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more This mini series shares it's name with a National Trust book, to find ou...
Jun 22, 2023•26 min
The rolling hills of Stockbridge Down in Hampshire have a secret that comes after night falls. Ranger Kate Martin is hot on the trail of a mysterious species you might be surprised to meet in the UK, and uncover why this high vantage point was a perfect spot for grisly goings on. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Claire Hickinbotham Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more For information about visiting Stockbridge Down, walks, wildlife and heritage please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visi...
Jun 08, 2023•19 min
Wildlife and nature is not just found in the countryside. Meet the buzzing birding community in the unlikely location of Leeds city centre. Ranger Kate Martin meets experts watching the skies for Peregrine Falcons, learns how listen for bird calls and discovers how even the smallest of spaces can be transformed into a haven for winged companions. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Nikki Ruck Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Find out more about birdwatching and creating a wildlife gard...
May 18, 2023•21 min
Hear the story of how an eccentric Victorian and a potato helped save Japan’s lost cherry blossom blooms. Visit an international Hanami party in London and wander through an underwater flowering meadow. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of blossom. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Jesse Edbrooke Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Find the best places to see blossom: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gardens-parks/best-places-to-see-blossom Share your blossom experience on social media with ...
May 01, 2023•23 min
Get set for adventure with the National Trust Kids’ Podcast. Join a host of colourful characters in stories exploring the world around us, from going wild outdoors to uncovering scientific marvels. Dive into our first story, Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers. When some humans get in a pickle on a kayak, Ranger Rae and a band of animal heroes rush in to help with the rescue. Discover the wonderful world of the waterways and get to know one charismatic critter with the unique skills needed to help in ...
Apr 14, 2023•33 sec
Experience life on Blakeney Point in Norfolk as it transforms throughout the year. From the mass arrival of seal pups in winter to the noisy feathered-frenzy of summer, discover how a remote stretch of shingle coastline is home to some of the UK's most unique marine wildlife. Production Host: Michelle Douglass Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Please follow our seal-spotting guidance nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/nature/wildlife/seal-spotting-guidance Find out m...
Apr 13, 2023•22 min
A disco ball, a pirate ship and portraits with speech bubbles are perhaps not what you’d expect to see when visiting a historic property, but at the UK’s first Children’s Country House, anything could happen. Join Curator James Grasby, as he explores this place filled with surprises at every turn. Production Hosts: James Grasby and Manhoor Producer: Nikki Ruck Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Find out more about visiting the Children's Country House at Sudbury nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/p...
Mar 30, 2023•19 min
Until recently the history of Orford Ness has been kept top secret but now is home to endangered plants and animals making their home alongside eerie abandoned buildings once the hub of historic and world changing science experiments, including Britain's Atomic Bomb. A covert and secretive wilderness lies just off the Suffolk coast, join Ranger Kate Martin as she explores this military base turned nature reserve. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Jack Glover Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discov...
Dec 01, 2022•21 min
An updated version of this episode is now available on our new History Podcast, Back When. To listen, please visit https://ntpodcasts.org/BW8 and make sure to follow the show to hear more tales from time. The original version of this episode, uploaded in 2022, will remain here for you to enjoy. Many of us grew up reading about Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggywinkle, but how much do you know about the woman behind the stories? In this episode we explore the lesser-known sides of Beatrix Potter. Discove...
Nov 16, 2022•26 min
Just beneath our feet lies a hidden world of ancient curiosities and undiscovered treasures but laying your hands on them and figuring out exactly what they are requires some extra special underfloor sleuthing to sort the rubbish from the rarities. An archaeological adventure awaits in the story of the Dust Detectives as the team uncover early medieval music and learn about the lives of ordinary people that played an important but unwritten part of Oxburgh Hall's history. Production Host: James ...
Nov 03, 2022•24 min
There’s a midnight party happening deep in the woods. Meet the ravers, movers and shakers as they emerge from slumber to rule nature’s nightclub. Ranger Kate Martin heads out into the twilight landscape of Cragside in search of Bats, Moths and underwater noise makers. To explore Cragside by daylight please listen to part one of our North East Adventure please listen to The Inventors Playground | Green Gadgets Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Disc...
Oct 20, 2022•20 min
Buckle up for a safari through a land where nothing is at it seems, and uncover the story of an audacious Victorian inventor known as the Magician of the North. Ranger Kate Martin heads to Cragside to learn about the maverick Lord Armstrong, the worlds first smart home and a transformed landscape that makes gadgets from the surrounding natural world. To explore Cragside after dark listen to A Wild Night Out | Twilight Creatures of Cragside Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Michelle Douglass...
Oct 06, 2022•23 min