We’re joined by English Heritage curator of collections and interiors Dickon Whitewood and jouster, author and scholar of arms and armour Tobias Capwell to answer all the questions we received about medieval knights and jousts from English Heritage members and followers on our social media accounts. Join us to discover the rules of a joust, what a …

This week, we’re joined by two English Heritage curators of collections, Eleanor Matthews and Louise Cooling, to mark the acquisition of a painting by Dutch artist Jan Wijnants, which has a close link with Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire. Join us to discover the story of this and some of the other Dutch masterpieces that can be seen at both Brod…

This week we’re in Kent to take a peek into the hidden history of Walmer Castle, one of Henry VIII’s Device Forts on England’s southeast coast, where visitors are being invited to explore the private apartments of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports for the first time. We’re joined by curator of collections and interiors Kathryn Bedford to discover…

Nine hundred years after a community of monks settled in the ‘vale of nightshade’ on the Furness peninsular, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter and site manager Juliet Fellows to look back at the history of Furness Abbey – once the largest and wealthiest monastery in north-west England. Discover how the abbey became so su…

We’re heading to the Isles of Scilly – a small cluster of islands off the tip of Cornwall in the south-west of England. Today, this peaceful archipelago is treasured for its natural beauty and holiday charm, but, in centuries past, the islands were on the frontline of Britain’s military defence. We’re joined by senior properties curator Win Scutt a…

This week we’re discussing the story of Bridget Atkinson, a Cumbrian woman who amassed a huge collection of shells from across the globe during the 18th century. We’re joined by English Heritage Collections Curator Dr Frances McIntosh, Principal Curator at the Natural History Museum Dr Tom White, Bath Spa University lecturer Matthew Law and family …

We're joined by Turner Prize-nominated artist and photographer, Ingrid Pollard, to discuss her new art installation, titled 'There is Light in the Fissures', at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland. Discover what inspired her artwork and what you can expect to find during a visit as a result. Plus, we chat to English Heritage's Chris O…

This week, as we approach Mother's Day here in the UK, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland and senior lecturer in history at the University of Derby Dr Ruth Larsen to examine how mothers raised their children in the past. Join us as we look back at life for mothers and those who helped them between the 16th and 19th centuri…

Britain was part of the Roman Empire for over three-and-a-half centuries. Following the invasion under the emperor Claudius in AD 43, the province was part of a political union that covered most of Europe. But what happened in Britannia when rule from Rome ended in the early 5th century? Cameron Moffett, English Heritage's curator of collections fo…

This week, we head to Gloucestershire for a stroll along a section of Offa's Dyke — the great earthwork boundary dyke built along the Anglo-Welsh border by Offa, King of Mercia, and one of the most remarkable structures in Britain. We're joined by professor in archaeology Keith Ray, who reveals when and why Offa's Dyke was built, who the Mercians w…

We're joined by senior historian for the blue plaques scheme Howard Spencer and writer and performer Mark Farrelly to explore the life and legacy of filmmaker, artist and activist Derek Jarman, who died 30 years ago and was commemorated by a London blue plaque in 2019. Join us to discover the story of Jarman's career, his role as a gay rights activ…

Valentine's Day is on its way and romance is most definitely in the air, so we're focusing our attention on a selection of the love stories that played out at English Heritage sites. Joining us to discuss the true romances formed at Osborne on the Isle of Wight, Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire, Wrest Park in Bedfordshire and Eltham Palace in Lon…

Hidden among the collections at Corbridge Roman Town on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland are a series of dodecahedra (12 sided objects) made of copper alloy that have been puzzling archaeologists since the 18th century. Each one is slightly different, but have common features, with a hole in the centre, decoration and knobs on each corner. We're jo…

This week, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Steven Brindle and historian John McNeill to discuss the story of Old Sarum in Wiltshire — one of the most eclectic and important sites in southern England, with over 2,000 years of history. Continuously occupied since Roman times, it uniquely combines a royal castle and cathedral within the…

This week, we're tracing the fascinating story of an almost forgotten currency. In early medieval England, eels were exchanged for goods and services and to settle debts. We're joined by medievalist and cartographic historian Dr John Wyatt Greenlee to reveal how these once abundant fish powered the medieval economy, why they were coveted as both a …

We're joined in the studio by senior properties historian Michael Carter to take a look at the annual traditions and events that mark the early part of the year — some we still celebrate today, while others have slipped into obscurity. Join us to discover the origins of Plough Monday, St Hilary's Day, Candlemas, Ash Wednesday and more. Plus, we rev…

This week we're honouring the life of a 17th-century composer, who lived and worked at Kirby Hall in Northamptonshire. George Jeffreys was both a steward and in-house musician for the Hattons — a wealthy family who became entangled in the Civil Wars. But now, his music and memory have been reborn, thanks to a new album recorded on-site at Kirby Hal…

Today, we're in Kent in southeast England to meet English Heritage properties historians Dr Jennifer Wexler and Dr Alastair Oswald and visit an ancient sacred site with a fascinating story. Kit's Coty House and its neighbour, Little Kit's Coty House, are the remains of two megalithic 'dolmen' burial chambers. Discover who built them, how they were …

We're joined in the studio by properties historian Dr Will Wyeth, senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland and properties historian team leader Dr Andrew Hann to answer all the questions we received about the history of Christmas from English Heritage Members and followers on our social media accounts. Join us to discover how the origins of Chr…

This week, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter to find out how people in the past entertained themselves during the cold and dark midwinter — and the festive mischief they got up to at this time of year. Join us to learn about Christmas irreverence through the ages, the curious traditions of boy bishops, the Bean King and …

As the Christmas party season gets into full swing, we're taking a look back at the history of alcoholic drinks through the ages. From mead to mulsum, beer to brandy, and wine to whisky — they're all on the menu in our figurative festive pub. Joining us to raise a glass and explain all are English Heritage curator of collections Cameron Moffett and…

Today, we're joined by English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter to reveal the story of St Milburga, who was a princess, the second abbess of Wenlock Priory, and a woman of international renown. Discover the story of her royal roots, her rise to Christian renown and the miraculous cures attributed to this little-known saint. To…

This week, we’re exploring the secrets to living a healthy life in Roman Britain. The Roman’s well documented love of bathing was one aspect of this, along with exercise, ancient medical science, religion and even superstition. Joining us to shine a light on Roman medicine and healthcare are English Heritage properties historian Dr Andrew Roberts a…

Today, we’re looking back at the story of the man who brought free healthcare to the UK in the years after the Second World War. Aneurin Bevan – also known as Nye Bevan – was the founding father of the National Health Service or NHS, which 75 years on, remains at the heart of British life. Joining us to discuss Bevan’s life and legacy, and the Lond…

This week, we’re holding our noses to tackle the history of toilets through the ages, from latrines, privies and reredorters to garderobes and even thunderboxes! Joining us to flush out the stories of long drops, dung gatherers and the first public conveniences are senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and historical archaeologist Dr Ian We…