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.
19m Feb 10, 2025
19m
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 ...
33m Feb 02, 2025
33m
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.
32m Jan 27, 2025
32m
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.”
13m Jan 22, 2025
13m
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.
9m Jan 22, 2025
9m
337: Chris Patten at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Chris Patten speaking about his memoir, The Hong Kong Diaries, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London's National Liberal Club, on January 21st 2025.
17m Jan 21, 2025
17m
336: ‘A 15-Year Suicide Note’ - Robert Bathurst on the genius of Jeff Bernard’s Low Life column
Robert Bathurst, star of Cold Feet and Toast of London, is playing Jeff Bernard in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell in Jeff’s old haunt, the Coach & Horses. He tells Harry Mount what a sublime writer Bernard was.
40m Jan 20, 2025
40m
335: Ed Stourton in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Edward Stourton has worked in broadcasting for over 40 years and was a presenter on Today for many years.  He continues to present  BBC Radio 4 programmes like Sunday and The World at One.  He’s also been a foreign correspondent for Channel Four, ITN and the BBC and has written several books, including his recent memoir, Confessions, is now out in paperback with a new postscript commenting on h...
36m Jan 13, 2025
36m
Oldie Podcast - Kenneth Cranham in conversation with Harry Mount on Elvis
Kenneth Cranham CBE is a Scottish film, television, radio and stage actor. His most notable screen roles were in Oliver!, Up Pompeii, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Chocolat, Layer Cake, Gangster No. 1, Hot Fuzz, Maleficent and Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool.
36m Jan 06, 2025
36m
Oldie Podcast - William Boyd in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
William Boyd is a British novelist, short story, writer and screenwriter. Between 1980 and 1983, Boyd was a lecturer in English at St. Hilda's College, Oxford and it was while he was there that his first novel, A Good Man in Africa (1981) was published. He was also a television critic for the New Statesman between 1981 and 1983. Boyd was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire i...
32m Dec 17, 2024
32m
Oldie Podcast - John Standing in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Sir John Ronald Leon, 4th Baronet (born 16 August 1934), known professionally as John Standing, is an English actor. Standing is best known for roles in the 1955 production of Titus Andronicus starring Laurence Olivier and his wife Vivien Leigh, and for leading parts in many plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest and Private Lives with Maggie Smith. John Standing has appeared in major ...
32m Dec 17, 2024
32m
Oldie Podcast – Stephen Fry in conversation with Harry Mount
Stephen Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer. Fry first came to prominence as one half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. In 1986-1989 Fry starred in Blackadder. Odyssey completes his Greek Myths series in marvellous fashion. . . Fry, a born storyteller, succeeds again in making the ancient stories acces...
34m Dec 16, 2024
34m
Oldie Podcast - Stephen Fry in conversation with Harry Mount
Stephen Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer. Fry first came to prominence as one half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. In 1986-1989 Fry starred in Blackadder. Odyssey completes his Greek Myths series in marvellous fashion. . . Fry, a born storyteller, succeeds again in making the ancient stories acces...
34m Dec 16, 2024
34m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Sam Leith - 10th December 2024
Listen to Sam Leith on The Haunted Wood, A History of Childhood Reading. Sam was speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch on 10th December 2024. Sponsored by Noble Caledonia. Photos by Neil Spence.
10m Dec 12, 2024
10m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Gyles Brandreth - 10th December 2024
Gyles Brandreth: Breaking the Code: Westminster Diaries & 7 Secrets of Happiness & Prose & Cons: The English Language in Just a Minute. The lunch was sponsored by Noble Caledonia. Photos by Neil Spence.
11m Dec 12, 2024
11m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 10th December on his latest book Odyssey. The lunch was sponsored by Noble Caledonia. Photos by Neil Spence.
23m Dec 11, 2024
23m
Thomas Pakenham on the Daredevil Tree-Hunters
Thomas Pakenham, 91, tells Harry Mount about his new book, The Tree Hunters. From the 17th century to the 19th century, British daredevils headed across the world to bring back seeds for arboretums back home. Among them was David Douglas, who brought back the Douglas Fir - and was gored to death by a wild bull in Hawaii in 1834. Thomas also recalls his own tree-hunting expeditions to bring back...
18m Dec 09, 2024
18m
Oldie Podcast - John Suchet in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
John Suchet is an English author, television news journalist and presenter of classical music on Classic FM. He is a huge fan of Beethoven, writing 8 books on the composer. Suchet's journalistic career began when he worked as a graduate trainee at the Reuters news agency in 1967 and later joined the BBC News a sub-editor for the Nine O'Clock News from 1970 to 1971. Suchet worked at ITN as a scr...
32m Dec 02, 2024
32m
Oldie Podcast - Don Black in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
​Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Supplements Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie. Don Black is one of England's best-known lyricists, famous for Diamonds Are Forever and other James Bond theme tunes that he wrote with John Barry. Don was born in 1938 in Hackney, the youngest...
30m Nov 25, 2024
30m
The Oldie of The Year Awards 2024 - Mac accepts his award Oldie Lead in his Pencil Award
Stan ‘Mac’ McMurtry – Oldie Lead in his Pencil Award. By Quentin Letts Cartoonist Stan ‘Mac’ McMurtry says that, during his decades on Fleet Street, his duty has been to make news pages brighter ‘by putting in a laugh’. Ever-modest Mac, 88, undersells his genius. His drawings in the Daily Sketch, Daily Mail and, to this day, the Mail on Sunday have always done more than that. Since the 1960s ...
6m Nov 21, 2024
6m
The Oldie of The Year Awards 2024- Nanette Newman & John Standing, Oldie in-laws of the Year 2024
Nanette: "I had my 90th a few weeks ago. I woke up one morning and I didn’t feel 90 at all... I felt more like 104! It was one of those awful mornings with bills and all those terrible things that come in the mail. One of the other things in the mail was a letter from Gyles saying I was going to get this award. I was thrilled. I’m a big fan of the magazine. How should I say thank you… I thoug...
8m Nov 21, 2024
8m
The Oldie of The Year Awards 2024 - Manette Baillie, 102, accepts her Oldie Flying Angel of The Year award
Manette Baillie, Oldie Flying Angel of the Year By Harry Mount This summer, Manette Baillie parachuted her way into the nation’s hearts as Britain’s oldest skydiver. At 102, Manette made her first ever jump, plunging from 13,000 feet up in the air over Beccles Airfield, Suffolk. Having served as a Wren in World War II, plucky feats of derring do were nothing new to Manette, of Benhall, Suff...
3m Nov 21, 2024
3m
The Oldie of The Year Awards 2024 - Golden Oldie of the Silver Screen, accepts his award
"Short speech. Short script. Act 1. Old. Act 2. Old fart. Act 3. Dead. Somewhere lurking between the acts The Oldie magazine, these awards... What an honour, thank you. I’m really overwhelmed. It’s great. Cut." Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Photos by Neil Spence Photography
3m Nov 21, 2024
3m
The Oldie of The Year Awards 2024 - Christian Lamb, 104, accepts her award Oldie D-Day Mastermind
"I just want to say thank you for the remarkable account of what I’ve done and so on and so forth and how marvellous are all the people here." Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Photo by Neil Spence Photography
4m Nov 21, 2024
4m
The Oldie of The Year Awards 2024 - Bill Wyman - The Oldie of The Year Acceptance Speech
"I’ve got a little thing written down... I feel very embarrassed. I’m very honoured to receive this but it's also strange to me to be here, as a poor working class kid from South London. I can only thank my grandma. She taught me everything. She taught me to write a diary, to scrapbook, the art of collecting things, to say the alphabet backwards. Anyone else? Someone’s nodding over there......
7m Nov 21, 2024
7m
Oldie Podcast - Hugo Vickers in conversation with Harry Mount on Clarissa, Countess of Avon
Hugo Vickers speaks to Harry Mount about his latest book on Clarissa: Muse to Power, The Untold Story of Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon. Our podcasts are sponsored by Baillie Gifford.
30m Nov 14, 2024
30m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Jacqueline Wilson on Think Again
Dame Jacqueline Wilson tells The Oldie Literary Lunch how she wrote her first-ever sex scene. Think Again is her first adult book. The Oldie Literary Lunch took place on 12th November 2024 at The National Liberal Club, sponsored by Kirker Holidays and photos by Neil Spence photography.
16m Nov 13, 2024
16m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - John Suchet on Finding Beethoven: A Personal Story
Beethoven expert John Suchet tells The Oldie why he has written his eighth book on Beethoven and why this story is personal to him. The Oldie Literary lunch was held at The National Liberal Club on 12th November 2024, sponsored by Kirker Holidays. Photos by Neil Spence.
15m Nov 13, 2024
15m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Bendor Grosvenor on The Invention of British Art
Listen and watch Bendor Grosvenor talking about The Invention of British Art at The Oldie Literary Lunch 12th November 2024. The lunch was sponsored by Kirker Holidays. Photos by Neil Spence Photography.
12m Nov 13, 2024
12m
Oldie Podcast - Craig Brown in conversation with Harry Mount
Craig Brown, the funniest man alive, tells Harry Mount about his latest book A Voyage Around The Queen. Listen here. The Oldie podcast is sponsored by Baillie Gifford
40m Nov 11, 2024
40m
Oldie Podcast - Leslie Caron in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Listen to Leslie Caron, aged 93, in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf. Multi-award winner Leslie Caron was born in 1931 and is a French and American actress and dancer. Leslie is best known for her role in Gigi.
33m Oct 30, 2024
33m
Oldie Podcast - Antonia Fraser in conversation with Harry Mount on meeting JFK
As Americans go to the polls, listen to Antonia Fraser on taking a dip in the White House pool with President Kennedy – in Jackie Kennedy's swimming costume. In March 1962, Antonia Fraser and her husband, Conservative MP Hugh Fraser, dropped in on President Kennedy at the White House. They joined him for a dip in the White House pool - and Antonia Fraser borrowed Jackie Kennedy's swimming cost...
19m Oct 30, 2024
19m
Oldie Podcast - Griff Rhys Jones in conversation with Harry Mount
Listen to Griff Rhys Jones in conversation with Harry Mount. Regular contributor to The Oldie, Griff Rhys Jones is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer and television presenter. He starred in a number of television series with his comedy partner, Mel Smith.
56m Oct 30, 2024
56m
Oldie Podcast - War Poems - Kenneth Cranham recites Disabled by Wilfred Owen
War Poems, recited by Kenneth Cranham, specially for The Oldie. Listen to Kenneth reciting Disabled by Wilfred Owen. Kenneth Cranham was born towards the end of the Second World War on 12 December 1944. Kenneth Cranham, Scottish film, television, radio and stage actor, is best known for Oliver! in 1968 and more recent films such as Layer Cake in 2004.
3m Oct 30, 2024
3m
Oldie Podcast - War Poems - Kenneth Cranham recites Dulce Et Deocrum est by Wilfred Owen
War Poems, recited by Kenneth Cranham, specially for The Oldie. Listen to Kenneth reciting Dulce Et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen. Kenneth Cranham was born towards the end of the Second World War on 12 December 1944. Kenneth Cranham, Scottish film, television, radio and stage actor, is best known for Oliver! in 1968 and more recent films such as Layer Cake in 2004.
2m Oct 30, 2024
2m
Oldie Podcast - Algy Cluff in conversation with Harry Mount on Lord Lucan
50 years after the Lord Lucan murder, click here to listen to Algy Cluff talk about his memories of Lucan – and the grisly truth about who killed the family nanny, Sandra Rivett. On 7 November 1974, Lord Lucan vanished without a trace. Listen here to Algy Cluff in conversation with Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie. Algy, whose real name is John Gordon Cluff was a serial oil and gas entrepreneu...
12m Oct 30, 2024
12m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Pam Ayres on Doggedly Onward
Pam Ayres recounted poetry that slipped off her tongue. It is no wonder that she is one of Britain's most famous poets. The Oldie Literary Lunch was held on 22nd October 2024 at The National Liberal Club and kindly sponsored by Kirker Holidays. All photos by Neil Spence Photography.
17m Oct 24, 2024
17m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Henry Blofeld on Sharing My Love of Cricket
Our most loved and famous cricket commentator tells The Oldie Literary Lunch on 22nd October 2024 about his love of the game and his worry for the future of cricket and the T20 franchise. The Oldie Literary Lunch was held on 22nd October 2024 at The National Liberal Club and kindly sponsored by Kirker Holidays. All photos by Neil Spence Photography.
13m Oct 24, 2024
13m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording- Bill Wyman sheds a tear in an emotional recount of Billy In The Wars
Headlines were made as ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman aged 88 broke into tears as he remembered foraging for food in the war. The Oldie Literary Lunch was held on 22nd October 2024 at The National Liberal Club and kindly sponsored by Kirker Holidays. All photos by Neil Spence Photography.
19m Oct 24, 2024
19m
Giles and Mary in conversation Harry Mount at The Dorchester Literary Festival
The Oldie magazine sponsored The Dorchester Literary Festival which ran for several days in the beautiful and historic market town. Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie, interviewed Giles Wood and Mary Killen, Britain's most favourite couple. Listen here to what they had to say.
51m Oct 24, 2024
51m
Oldie Podcast - Lady Antonia Fraser in conversation with Harry Mount
At 92, the Oldie's new columnist, historian Lady Antonia Fraser, has written a new book, Patchwork Pieces. She tells Harry Mount all about Guy Fawkes – and the sex life of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
19m Oct 10, 2024
19m
Oldie Podcast - Anne Robinson in conversation with Harry Mount
At 80, Anne Robinson tells Harry Mount about facelifts, drinking and Robert Maxwell
34m Sep 23, 2024
34m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Patrick Bishop: Paris '44: The Shame and the Glory
13m Sep 16, 2024
13m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Sonia Purnell on Kingmaker: Pamela Churchill Harriman's astonishing life of seduction, intrigue and power
14m Sep 16, 2024
14m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - William Dalrymple on The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World
16m Sep 16, 2024
16m
The Oldie Literary Lunch Recording 10th September 2024
43m Sep 12, 2024
43m
Oldie Literary Recording - Philippa Forester on Wild Woman
Nature guru Philippa Forester spent years in America with bears and wolves. She now returns to the UK writing about Wild Woman and told The Oldie Literary Lunch about her journey. The Literary Lunch was held at The National Liberal Club on Tuesday 13th August, kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Amelia Milne. Recordings by Tom Assheton.
13m Aug 15, 2024
13m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Mr Chelsea aka Paul Davis
Architect Paul Davis known as Mr Chelsea addressed The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 13th August 2024 at The National Liberal Club about his latest book, available to buy at RIBA, called 'Mr Chelsea: A Life in Rock n' Roll & Architecture From The Kings Road To Toyko'. The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Amelia Milne. Recordings by Tom Assheton.
14m Aug 15, 2024
14m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Helen Lederer on Not That I'm Bitter
Absolutely Fabulous Helen Lederer spoke The Oldie Literary Lunch on 13th August 2024 about her biography Not That I'm Bitter. The audience was in stitches as she spoke candidly about sex, fame and being a woman. The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Amelia Milne and recordings by Tom Assheton.
16m Aug 15, 2024
16m
Oldie Literary Lunch Recording - Dame Zandra Rhodes on Iconic: My Life in Fashion in 50 Objects
Dame Zandra Rhodes brought colour to The Oldie Literary Lunch on 23rd July 2024 speaking to the audience about her biography Iconic. The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Neil Spence and recordings by Tom Assheton.
6m Jul 25, 2024
6m