Episodes
Heritage sites like the medieval palace Bayt Al Razzaz in Egypt and the picturesque Blickling estate in the UK, are under threat from climate change. What connects these vastly different places? And what can the guardians of these historic treasures learn from each other as they battle extreme weather, social upheaval and other challenges? Discover the global fight to protect our heritage. You can watch a video of this podcast on National Trust Youtube: https://ntpodcasts.org/Video [Ad]...
Published 12/05/24
Published 12/05/24
As a wheelchair user, Melissa rarely has the opportunity of spending time on the beach with the rest of her family; and an activity for them all in the water together was unimaginable.   But an ‘adaptive surfing for families’ session in South Shields in the North East, changed everything.  You can watch a video of this podcast on National Trust Youtube:  https://ntpodcasts.org/Video [Ad] Open the door to more with a National Trust membership. As well as free entry and parking at over 500...
Published 11/21/24
Sir Isaac Newton is best known for coming up with the theory of gravity while relaxing in his orchard, thanks to an apple that fell beside him one afternoon – helping him to unravel one of the universe's great mysteries.  But that story is only a small part of the tale...  Heather Birkett delves into one of the greatest minds of all time. Discover how a friendship with astronomer Edmund Halley helped to bring Isaac's ideas to the world and beyond. [Ad from our sponsor] This episode is...
Published 11/07/24
On 18th March AD 978 at Corfe Castle in Dorset, a 16-year-old boy was brutally stabbed in the back and died shortly after. That boy was the teenage king, Edward the Martyr. But who was the murderer, or murderers?  Join James Grasby and author Anna Groves on this Halloween historical Whodunnit, as they try and figure out who committed the regicide, with the help of some other worldly encounters. [Ad from our sponsor] This podcast episode is sponsored by family history website Findmypast....
Published 10/17/24
Join the adventures of Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers, the new kids' podcast from the National Trust. Introducing the Wildlifers, a crew of colourful creatures who use their special skills to help where there's trouble in nature. Beaver’s a super engineer. Sleepy Bat’s skill is sonar. Wildcat’s a proud predator. Deer’s strong and speedy. Fox has a nose for trouble. Shy Mole’s an expert digger, and Dragonfly’s always buzzing. Ranger Rae’s the leader and can understand animals. And...
Published 10/16/24
Historian David Olusoga tells the story of the children born to white British mothers and black American servicemen during the Second World War, dubbed Britain’s ‘Brown Babies’ in the African American press at the time.   Carol and Ann, now in their 80s, revisit their childhood home, Holnicote House in Somerset. During the 1940s, the building was used for the care of around 30 children of black GIs, from birth to the age of five.        Carol and Ann were among some 2000 children born in...
Published 10/10/24
What if you could follow in the footsteps of your ancestors and reveal the hidden tales behind some of the UK’s fascinating historical locations?   Introducing Step into the Past, a podcast from our sponsors at Findmypast.        In this episode, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and her guest Sandy travel to the not-so-stately home of Calke Abbey in Derbyshire to discover Sandy’s family’s longstanding connection to the estate and its early Baptist congregation.   Calke Abbey has undergone many...
Published 10/03/24
On September 27th 2023, the famous Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland was felled overnight in an act of vandalism, triggering a far-reaching wave of shock and sorrow.   Join Heather Birkett as she goes behind the scenes to explore the enduring impact of this beloved landmark, the aftermath of its loss, and the community’s efforts to preserve its memory. A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify. To watch it on YouTube please click here. Production Host:...
Published 09/27/24
Our lovely nature presenter and ranger Kate Martin is leaving to join our friends at the RSPB, helping to care for wildlife in Scotland. Here are some of Kate's best bits and few moments from behind the scenes. On behalf of everyone at the National Trust, from our listeners and from the podcast team, thank you and wishing you a great and adventure filled future.
Published 09/20/24
A stretch of water between the mainland and Rathlin Island is home to some of the world’s most unique wildlife and infamous shipwrecks.  Ranger Kate Martin continues her adventure along Northern Ireland’s causeway coast, this time exploring life under water.    [Ad from our sponsor]  This podcast is supported by Tourism Ireland  Experience all of what Northern Ireland has to offer from standing on the rocks of the giants causeway, to hiking the Mourne Mountains with epic sea views, or...
Published 09/19/24
Don’t look down! Across a rope bridge over a  stretch of water on Northern Ireland’s causeway coast lies the Island of Carrick-a-Rede and a fisherman’s cottage that has stood for centuries.   Ranger Kate Martin, heads off on her holiday, to make the crossing and to learn how this old bridge became the focal point for a community and rich coastal traditions.   [Ad from our sponsor] This podcast is supported by Tourism Ireland. Experience all of what Northern Ireland has to offer from...
Published 09/05/24
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...
Published 08/15/24
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...
Published 08/15/24
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;...
Published 08/01/24
There’s loads more to come this season from the National Trust Podcast.  We’ll be exploring Northern Ireland, hearing how heritage properties in Norfolk and Egypt are working together, and marking one year since the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.  But it's not just new adventures on the horizon.  We’ll be sharing one of our favourite ranger episodes to celebrate World Ranger Day, as well as a classic 2-parter to help inspire your summer travels.   And if that’s not enough, head to...
Published 07/25/24
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...
Published 07/18/24
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...
Published 06/27/24
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...
Published 06/13/24
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...
Published 05/23/24
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...
Published 05/09/24
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...
Published 04/18/24
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...
Published 04/03/24
Google Podcasts is coming to an end between April and June this year. To keep up with the National Trust Podcast please follow or subscribe using an alternative app. Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4a88H3d Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4a1nH2N Youtube (Coming Soon) - https://www.youtube.com/nationaltrustcharity More - https://audioboom.com/channels/4957126-national-trust-podcast Info from Google: After April 2, 2024, users in the US will no longer be able to listen to podcasts in...
Published 03/28/24
National Trust Podcast is back with a new collection of immersive tales in nature, history and adventure. Look out for Series 8 launching 4 April.  Travel to the 1930s to unmask the eccentric Ferguson’s Gang, find out how the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree impacted the community, and discover what life was like for ancient workers in the UK’s only known Roman gold mine.  Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app to catch new episodes every fortnight. We’d love to...
Published 03/21/24