Wellbeing Walks | Nature and Mental Health
Experiencing nature and connecting with the world around us has been proven to have positive and lasting effects on our mental health and wellbeing. Created by 3x students from Bristol using sounds and music created in the natural world, this episode aims to transport you away from the hustle and bustle, and into a calm, relaxing soundscape. Think of the most idyllic woodland your mind can im...
16m May 20, 2021
16m
Introducing: 125 Treasures | The Elephant in the Room
Join Actress Alison Steadman as she explores some of the most intriguing objects in the National Trust’s collections. In the first episode from this series we uncover an 18th century, mechanical marvel, hidden behind the doors at Waddesdon Manor. Once part of a prized collection by the Rothschild family and the creation of master clock maker Hubert Martinet, this treasure is an elephant in th...
21m May 06, 2021
21m
Operation Hillside | Lifting the Official Secrets Act
Once the home of British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden Manor played an important role in helping to shape the outcome of World War 2. A chance encounter between a former British intelligence operative and a National Trust volunteer uncovers mysteries from inside a once top secret headquarters. Production Host: James Grasby Producer: Sean Douglas Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discov...
21m Apr 15, 2021
21m
The Dior Of Decor | Fashion and Photography
Rainham Hall’s Anthony Denny; a name you’ve probably never heard, but one that’s likely influenced the clothes you wear, how you decorate and furnish your home and even the food you eat. In the first episode of a brand-new series of the National Trust podcast. We take a look at the fashion and photography of an artist responsible for some of the most iconic covers of British Vogue and explore h...
24m Apr 01, 2021
24m
Counting out the Puffins | Farne Islands | Revisited
Revisit a classic and one of our favourite episodes. Ranger and presenter Kate Martin braves the North Sea and head to the remote Northumbrian Farne Islands. There, she encounters one of Britain’s most entertaining bird species, the Atlantic Puffin and learns just what it takes to secure their feathery future. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Pippa Tilbury-Harris Sound editor: Jesus Gome...
13m Mar 18, 2021
13m
The Juicy Details of Apple Grafting | Revisited
Revisit a classic and one of our favourite episodes from the archives. Join Sean Douglas as he heads to the National Trust’s annual apple grafting festival at the Cotehele Estate, Cornwall, to unravel the scions from the rootstocks and sow the seeds of love in this quaint cornish orchard. Production Host: Sean Douglas Producer: Pippa Tilbury-Harris Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Lear...
13m Feb 09, 2021
13m
Inside the Secret Plant Conservation Centre | Revisited
Revisit a classic and one of our favourite episodes from the archives. Presenter and gardener, Alan Power, navigates his way to the National Trust's Plant Conservation Centre, hidden away in a top secret location, to see exactly what it takes to look after some of the planets most important plant species. Production Host: Alan Power Producer: Sean Douglas Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover m...
21m Jan 21, 2021
21m
A Mystery Guest at the Beatles Childhood Homes | Revisited
Whilst we break for the holidays and prepare for the launch of series 5, we’re revisiting some of our favourite episodes from the archives. This month it’s ‘A Mystery Guest at the Beatles Childhood Homes’ from Series 3. In this episode, a famous mystery guest joins a public tour of John Lennon’s childhood home. So, can you guess who the mystery man is before he is revealed? Listen to see if you...
9m Dec 24, 2020
9m
Taste Along With Wainwright | Synaesthesia & Nature
In our first taste along episode, Ranger Kate Martin and her mystery guest experience a Lake District walk in an intriguingly new way. If you’d like to taste along with Kate, you’ll need some fruit chews, mac & cheese, mint bubble filled chocolates and some cream soda. Extracts from this episode were taken from Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides to The Lakeland Fells. Discover more For mor...
28m Nov 19, 2020
28m
Behind the Scenes of Reopening
After one of the most challenging years, the Trust is starting to nurture the green shoots of a new normal. Let us take you behind the scenes to witness the events and people that made our reopening possible. Discover more For more podcasts from the National Trust, visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts (https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationaltrust.org.uk%2...
21m Sep 18, 2020
21m
Nature's Tasty Secrets | Foraging
Edible nettles, sweet shop flavoured berries and deadly carrots are just some of the culinary, and not so culinary delights, Ranger Kate Martin encounters when she meets Fred the Forager for a late summer stroll. This episode aims to inspire you to explore nature in a new way. And should not be used as a reference for instructions on how to forage. Fred (https://thewildsideoflife.co.uk/) is an...
22m Sep 04, 2020
22m
100 Years of Mystery | Agatha Christie
While many of us are familiar with Agatha Christie’s characters, just how well do we know Agatha the person? As we celebrate 100 years of Christie publications, we take a look back at the woman behind the books, through the eye of her grandson, at her beloved Greenway House. Discover more For more podcasts from the National Trust, visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts (https://eur01.safelinks....
13m Aug 27, 2020
13m
A Portrait of The National Trust
In 2017 Teleri Fielden started her National Trust shepherdess scholarship deep in the valleys of the Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). We revisit her three years on to find out if the early mornings, harsh winters and constant rain have dampened her spirits or given her the drive to prove she’s got what it takes. Discover more For more podcasts from the National Trust, visit: nationaltrust.org...
18m Aug 25, 2020
18m
The Great Anthropause
While we were all indoors during lockdown, stories of our wild neighbours bouncing back emerged across the globe. In this episode, podcast producer, Sean Douglas visits the Isle of Wight to investigate reports of wildlife taking over the island while humans were away. We also explore whether there will be a long-term positive impact on how we co-exist with the nature around us. Discover more ...
19m Aug 07, 2020
19m
Pips in Space | Featuring Tim Peake
In 2015, European Space Agency astronaut Tim Peake was headed to the International Space Station. On board with him were some pips from an Apple Tree, once belonging to a famous scientist whose discoveries had made his journey possible in the first place. In this episode we find out the extraordinary journey of these seeds through time and space and learn how a chance idea can change the world...
18m Jul 23, 2020
18m
Meet The Silver Surfers
Zoom, Whatsapp, Instagram and TikTok are no longer just Millennial buzzwords. For many senior citizens social media has become a part of daily life. Negotiating our new world over the past few months has meant many of those who may have traditionally shunned technology are learning new skills. In this episode, over-60s share how their lives have been transformed by tech, from keeping in touch ...
22m Jul 02, 2020
22m
Midsummer Magic and Mayhem | Stonehenge
For millennia, midsummer has been steeped in tales of mystery and magic. It inspired the construction of great temples, the lighting of bonfires and was even said to have caused people to act in strange and surprising ways. In this episode, we explore the meaning behind the legends of the longest day of the year. And we discover why so many people feel a mystical connection to this time of yea...
20m Jun 18, 2020
20m
The Ice Shelf Garden
Paul Zabel, an engineer and novice gardener, was sent to work in his first greenhouse in one of the most extreme locations on Earth. At the end of his isolation, as Paul eased his way back into society, he realised he had discovered some valuable life lessons which we could learn from as we go through the same motions. Discover more For more podcasts from the National Trust, visit: nationaltr...
17m Jun 04, 2020
17m
In Tune With Nature | Dawn Chorus
In this episode we continue to bring you ideas and advice on how to keep in tune with nature during lockdown. This time Andy Beer, author of Every Day Nature, gives us his top tips on how to grow a deeper understanding of the dawn chorus and to get better acquainted with your favourite feathered neighbourhood songstress. You’ll also learn how to get involved with DAWNS, one of the Trust’s most...
15m May 07, 2020
15m
Gardening in Small Spaces | How Gardens Heal
When faced with heartache, music journalist Alice Vincent found a surprising remedy in her tiny balcony garden at her London flat. A complete gardening novice, Alice made the most of the little space and resources she had. What started as a distraction became an obsession and Alice slowly built a small urban sanctuary teeming with greenery and heady blooms. She quickly came to realise the alm...
18m Apr 30, 2020
18m
A Beginner's Guide to Night Photography
In this episode, presenter Jo Dyson heads to the Lake District for a night of camping and stargazing. But unfortunately for Jo things don’t quite go to plan. Jo swaps her tent for a tripod to try her hand at some astrophotography on a night time stroll. Jo turns to astrophotographer, Steven Hanna for a masterclass in photography. Listen to discover how you can use your camera to shed light on ...
18m Apr 02, 2020
18m
A Beginner's Guide to Winter Walking
With its icy winds, relentless hail and plunging temperature, are you prepared for a winter mountain walk? Armed with a map, compass and warm flask, presenter Jo Dyson embarks on a walk to experience the remote and barren beauty of the Lake District. Jo meets the Wasdale Mountain Rescue team to learn how to stay safe on a mountain walk and discovers why the winter months are a surprisingly rew...
20m Mar 19, 2020
20m
Bonus | A Toast to Blossom
As spring approaches and trees across the UK burst into blossom, why not make this special time of year a regular date in your nature calendar? Producer: Claire Hickinbotham Discover more Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.o...
5m Mar 12, 2020
5m
Drama at the Back to Backs | Britain's Social Housing
Britain’s answer to a housing crisis caused by the industrial revolution, Back to Back houses were once a prominent feature of northern towns. An early type of social housing, the Back to Backs became known for their poor conditions, with their cramped design and bad sanitation. But what was life really like for the people that lived there? Join us as we visit the last remaining Back to Back ...
22m Mar 05, 2020
22m
Bonus | A Promise for Nature
Nature is under threat! So we’re calling on the public to take one small step to protect the natural world. This leap day we’re asking you to make a promise for nature. So how will you use your extra 24 hours to make a difference? Producer: Claire Hickinbotham Discover more Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a ...
4m Feb 28, 2020
4m
Fixing the Plastic Problem
This week, we bring you a special episode from our Countryfile Live 2019 podcast. This new series brings you some of the best moments from debates at the BBC’s Countryfile Live event at Blenheim Palace. In this episode, Countryfile presenter Tom Heap and a panel of experts consider how we might fix the plastic problem. Discover more Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast a...
35m Jan 30, 2020
35m
Introducing: 50% Renewable | Episode One
The beginning of this year marks the start of a year-long celebration of our 125th anniversary. This January we’re bringing you two special episodes from the podcast series we’re launching on sustainability. The series ‘50% Renewable’ explores how the National Trust is working towards meeting 50% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2021. Producer: Claire Hickinbotham Discover more F...
22m Jan 16, 2020
22m
Musical Time Machines
Tucked away off a busy street in London lies a sanctuary for endangered sounds. The Benton Fletcher Collection at Fenton House and Garden is a rare treasure that boasts restored and working early keyboard instruments, some of which are nearly 500 years old. Guided by the Keeper of Instruments, National Trust curator, James Grasby finds himself transported to key moments in our musical past and...
17m Dec 12, 2019
17m
Wild Swimming at 'Miami Beach'
Wild swimming isn’t just for summer. As winter approaches, the hardiest swimmers enjoy the benefits the off-season brings. In this episode, Ranger Kate Martin heads to Carding Mill Valley where she’s introduced to the Shropshire Wild Swimmers and Dippers. She’s challenged to a “refreshing” dip and discovers how open waters bring a sense of freedom to your mind, body and soul. Discover more Fo...
16m Nov 21, 2019
16m
Sensory Walking | The Sounds of Nature
Time spent in the great outdoors can be an immersive experience. But how often do we stop and take the time to really absorb the sounds, touch and feel of nature? Walker Julian Jackson senses things differently to most people. In this episode, he shows us how to create a deeper connection with the natural world. Discover more Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If...
23m Nov 07, 2019
23m
Halloween Special | The Secrets in The Walls
In Tudor times disease and death were never far away, as were other more mysterious terrors that many claimed were lurking in the dark.   In this Halloween special, curator James Grasby visits 500-year old Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire, to find out how the Tudors protected their homes against evil.    James meets house staff who reveal strange relics of our past and he comes face to face with...
21m Oct 31, 2019
21m
Adventures in Motherhood | Buggy Walks at Stourhead
National Trust places are great to spend time at with those we know and love, but they can also be places where new friendships are born. In this mini episode we follow Joanna and Rachel, two mums that met at a charity-run buggy walking group at Stourhead, as they embark on one of the National Trust’s most unique adventures. [Ad from our Sponsor] This episode of the National Trust podcast was...
10m Oct 21, 2019
10m
The Secret World of Treetops
Taking time away from his expeditions to the Amazon, professional tree climber James Aldred leads presenter Jo Dyson on a treetop adventure at Tyntesfield in Somerset. Jo realises that tree climbing is not just for kids and discovers that we are all more connected to trees than we might think. Discover more For information about exploring Tyntesfield please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org...
19m Oct 03, 2019
19m
Introducing: People’s Landscapes | Episode one
In this special episode we bring you part one of our People’s Landscapes podcast series.    It’s Northey Island, 991 AD. Viking raiders clash in bloody battle with the Anglo-Saxon army defending their land. Dr Eleanor Barraclough, lecturer in medieval history at Durham University, explores how this violent incident resulted in a mashup of cultures we can still see today.    People’s Landscapes ...
24m Sep 26, 2019
24m
The Heritage Question | Blackpool Illuminations
As thousands of places across the UK open their doors for Heritage Open Days, we head to Blackpool to explore what heritage means to us as individuals and as a nation. In this episode, National Trust curator James Grasby goes behind the scenes to witness the thrill of the Blackpool Illuminations, a spectacle that’s firmly rooted in the past but continues to shape our heritage today. Discover ...
20m Sep 12, 2019
20m
Memories from Ned’s Mountain
We’re back at Divis and the Black Mountain to meet Ned Clarke who has walked on the mountain for thirty years. Hear what it’s like to live side-by-side with these giants and discover how the mountain has been an escape in times of trouble. Discover more For information about exploring Divis and it's walks please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/divis-and-the-black...
11m Apr 18, 2019
11m
Battling the Elements | Divis Mountain
Against howling winds and biting rain to the summit on Divis Mountain, 1,500 feet above Belfast we find ranger and presenter Kate Martin battling the elements. As we cross this wild landscape we’ll discover blanket bogs that are as dangerous as they are healing, ruins that hold the secret to 2,000 years of life and death, and awe-inspiring views of the city and hills beyond. Discover more For...
20m Apr 04, 2019
20m
The Juicy Details of Apple Grafting
This week we’re at the annual apple grafting weekend at Cotehele. We’ll uncover the mysteries of apple grafting and learn how you can grow your very own Crimson Queen, Pendragon and even a Pig’s Nose. Discover more For information about exploring Cotehele please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/cotehele Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If y...
13m Mar 21, 2019
13m
Caring for the country’s rarest plants
Join us as we go beyond the locked gates of the Trust’s most secretive location, the Plant Conservation Centre. At this well-guarded site to find out how we protect our rarest and most historically-significant species of plant. Along the way we’ll brush shoulders with famous trees that have lined the pages of literature, and try our hand at grafting. Discover more For information about the Pl...
21m Mar 07, 2019
21m
A Mystery Guest at the Beatles’ Childhood Homes
In this mini podcast, we’ll meet the man who welcomes visitors from around the world to John Lennon’s childhood home, and hear about his encounter with one very famous daytripper. Discover more For information about exploring Forthlin Road and the Beatles please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/the-beatles-childhood-homes Follow the National Trust Podcast on y...
8m Feb 21, 2019
8m
Backstage at the Beatles’ Childhood Homes
Four teenagers from Liverpool started meeting up to make music together. They went on to become the Beatles. Take trip down Penny Lane to visit the houses where John and Paul grew up, fell in love with rock and roll, and wrote some of the Beatles’ first songs, as we step inside the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Discover more For information about exploring Forthlin Road a...
22m Jan 31, 2019
22m
Mysterious Military History in the Surrey Hills
We’re delving into the military history of Box Hill in Surrey in this mini podcast, with a behind-the-scenes tour of an old fort that was used to protect London from invasion in the late nineteenth century. Discover more For information about exploring Box Hill please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/box-hill Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. ...
9m Jan 17, 2019
9m
Escaping the city at Box Hill
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and hear what makes this corner of Surrey so special for the cyclists, walkers and children that flock here every year. In this episode we’re at Box Hill, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty just a short train ride from Central London. Discover how getting out into the countryside might be easier than you think. Discover more For informat...
21m Jan 03, 2019
21m
Bodnant Garden’s Four-legged Friends
In this mini episode we’re back in North Wales exploring the sights, sounds and scents of Bodnant Garden with a group of dog-walkers and their four-legged pals. Discover more For information about exploring Bodnant Garden please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/bodnant-garden Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with ...
6m Dec 20, 2018
6m
A Winter Garden in Wales
In the foothills of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) is the perfect spot for a crisp winter stroll through the world-famous Bodnant Garden. Join us to explore dramatic waterfalls, romantic dells and towering trees, and hear from the gardeners who care for this exotic and ever-changing landscape. Discover more For information about exploring Bodnant Garden please visit https://www.nationaltrust...
20m Dec 06, 2018
20m
Introducing: Women and Power | Episode One
As there are five Thursday’s in this month, this week we’re giving you a bonus episode. To fill the gap until our next regular episode on the first Thursday of next month, we thought you might like to hear the first episode of a mini series we launched earlier this year called Women and Power. Women and Power looks at the Trust’s links to the suffrage movement and is narrated by broadcaster an...
21m Nov 29, 2018
21m
Lawrence of Arabia’s Famous Friends
From artists and writers like Thomas Hardy to fellow soldiers from the army, Lawrence welcomed an array of visitors to his rustic retreat. Learn how he entertained them, and gain a new perspective on his life from one of his relatives who helps keep his story alive today. Discover more For information about exploring Clouds Hill and T.E. Lawrence please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/...
9m Nov 15, 2018
9m
Lawrence of Arabia's Woodland Retreat
Nestled among pine trees in the Dorset countryside, this dilapidated cottage is where Lawrence of Arabia fled his new-found fame, following his adventures in the desert during the First World War. In this episode we’re at Clouds Hill, the rustic retreat of T.E. Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia. We’ll take you on a tour of the intimate spaces where he entertained friends, listened to music, and...
19m Nov 01, 2018
19m
The Wild Ponies of Wicken Fen
Introduced to the fen 100 years ago, the wild Konik ponies of Wicken Fen graze the land, enabling plants and wildlife to thrive. Later we investigate the smaller creatures that call this ancient landscape home, including dragonflies and water voles. Discover more For information about exploring Wicken Fen please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cambridgeshire/wicken-fen-national-n...
10m Oct 18, 2018
10m
A Walk Through Ancient Wetlands | Wicken Fen
We’re at Wicken Fen in East Anglia for a walk through the National Trust’s oldest nature reserve. We’ll set off on foot, exploring the multi-use trails that allow easy access to this other-worldly landscape, before venturing down the narrow waterways on boat. Along the way, we’ll discover how a place created thousands of years ago is still providing a crucial home for thousands of animals, bi...
21m Oct 04, 2018
21m