Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast to West Horsley Place in Surrey, southeast England. West Horsley's history dates back to the eleventh century, with a manor house built not long after the Norman Conquest. The present house was originally timber-framed and constructed in the late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries. Later, a red-brick façade was fixed to the original Tudor timbers, and Georgian windows were inserted, giving the house its current...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast to the Lord Leycester in Warwick. One of the most important examples of intact medieval architecture in Britain, this incredible building has a history that spans nine hundred years. Originally founded as a guild for the care of the deserving poor of Tudor England, Robert Dudley, Queen Elizabeth I's favoured courtier, later founded a community of Masters and Brethren within the former Guild premises.    In the meantime, if you...

NOTE: This is a copy of an earlier podcast recording, which has been re-added due to the audio file being corrupted.    Part Two: STIRLING CASTLE This month sees the launch of a special celebration of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, here, on The Tudor Travel Show. Throughout September, I will be publishing one episode a week, as I follow 'In the Footsteps' of this legendary Scottish queen, visiting some of the most historic locations associated with her time in Scotland. Along the way, I...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast to St David's Cathedral. Home to St David's historic cathedral, the final resting place of its eponymous saint, the patron saint of Wales, it has been a place of pilgrimage and worship for over a millennium. A more picturesque spot for such a venerable building is hard to imagine, nestled as it is in a verdant valley adjacent to the now-ruined Bishop's Palace.   In the meantime, if you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor...

In this Podcast Extra episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, I revisit the site of Collyweston Palace on the day of an exciting find that emerged from the first in a series of on-site archaeological digs scheduled across the site during 2024.    Recorded on location from the site, I reveal the team's latest discovery. it might be small - but it turns out to be a key piece of evidence! To see a gallery of images associated with the podcast, head to the associated show notes...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast to the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace. We tour Holbein at the Tudor Court, the largest exhibition of Holbein’s work in over 30 years, and incredibly, all the pieces come from the Royal Collection. This exhibition serves up a mesmerising cornucopia of Tudor treasures, and Kate Heard, curator of Holbein at the Tudor Court, shows us around, sharing some fascinating detail about Holbein's life and work.    In the meantime, if you...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast to Pembrokeshire in Wales. To commemorate the birth of Henry VII on 28 January 1457, we visit his birthplace: Pembroke Castle, one of Wales's largest and best-preserved castles. It was built on a motte and bailey design around 1093 by Roger of Montgomery, a Norman knight and Earl of Shrewsbury. Although Henry VII never returned to his birthplace, Pembroke Castle symbolised Tudor's Welsh origins.    This is a shorter version of...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast at Sudeley Castle and the site of Collyweston Palace. I revisit these fascinating sites to discover the findings from their archaeological digs.  As a Christmas special, this is the full version of the podcast episode. Normally, full episodes are available only to members of The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor England. To explore what you will find in the membership that will allow you to immerse yourself even more deeply into...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast in Ipswich, Suffolk. To commemorate the anniversary of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey's death in November 1530, we explore the town deeply connected to his early life.  This is a shorter version of the full episode. The latter is available only to members of The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor England. To explore what you will find in the membership that will allow you to immerse yourself even more deeply into the past, or to plan your...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast at Sheffield Manor Lodge in South Yorkshire. A once luxurious sixteenth century hunting lodge, much of the building's fabric has since been lost to time. This is a shorter version of the full episode. The latter is available only to members of The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor England. To explore what you will find in the membership that will allow you to immerse yourself even more deeply into the past, or to plan your next...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast at Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. One of the best-known and most magnificent Prodigy Houses in England, Hardwick is well known for its iconic architecture: the lavish use of glass, its impressive turrets, and its parapets, embellished with the Countess of Shrewsbury's monogram. This is a shorter version of the full episode. The latter is available only to members of The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor England. To explore what you...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast at Otley Hall in Sussex. A house of enormous historical significance, the current hall dates back to the sixteenth century when it was constructed in 1510 by William Gosnold, a wealthy Suffolk merchant. This is a shorter version of the full episode. The latter is available only to members of The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor England. To explore what you will find in the membership that will allow you to immerse yourself even...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast at Bembridge Down on the Isle of Wight and Southsea Castle in Portsmouth. Travelling back in time, we consider the historic battle from both the French and English perspectives.    This is a shorter version of the full episode. The latter is available only to members of The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor England. To explore what you will find in the membership that will allow you to immerse yourself even more deeply into the...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast at Launde Abbey. You can read highlights of its links to the Cromwells, access the podcast and enjoy images of some of the cathedral’s highlights.   This is a shorter version of the full episode. The latter is available only to members of The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor England. To explore what you will find in the membership that will allow you to immerse yourself even more deeply into the past, or to plan your next Tudor...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast at Winchester Cathedral. You can read highlights of its Tudor history, access the podcast and enjoy images of some of the cathedral’s highlights.   This is a shorter version of the full episode. The latter is available only to members of The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor England. To explore what you will find in the membership that will allow you to immerse yourself even more deeply into the past, or to plan your next Tudor...

In this episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, we travel to Shropshire, a landlocked county in the West Midlands. We head to the tiny village of Kinlet, nestled in the rural countryside. Although it once stood next to the Blount's country manor house, today, the parish church of St John the Baptist appears to stand in solitary grandeur on top of a hill surrounded by parkland and green pastures. Inside this enchanting building are some incredible Tudor tombs belonging to the Blount...

In this episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, we travel to the Cotswolds. An area made rich by its wool trade in the medieval times, wool merchants would often fund the construction and renovation of churches in their communities as a way to display their wealth and status. The churches became known as "wool churches."    Joined by our guide, Dr Samantha Harper, we take a tour around two of the most prominent of these wool churches: St. John the Baptist in Cirencester and St Mary's...

In this episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, we travel to the surprising remains of an incredible Tudor building, tucked away in the suburbs of south London. A lesser known Tudor place, Croydon Palace is truly historical building with some fascinating Tudor artefacts. Joined by our guides, Mary and Janice from The Friends of the Old Palace, we take a tour around the building, now an independent girls' school, to discover its Tudor past.    To see a gallery of images associated...

In this episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, we travel to the Loire Valley, France, to visit the beautiful Château de Chenonceau. We step back in time, as we tour this incredible building, following the stories of five important Renaissance ladies.  Joined by our guide, Amelie Lanseaux, we head to the tranquil, riverside setting to wander through the sun-drenched rooms of a building that was once home to the French Renaissance court.  Some useful links, mentioned in this episode,...

This episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, is Part II, from a special, behind the scenes mini-series recorded at Hampton Court Palace. I'm joined by Daniel Jackson, Hampton Court Palace Curator. We travel back to the mid-1530s, exploring the royal apartments and lesser known parts of the palace, imagining the characters and stories that unfolded here.  Some useful links, mentioned in this episode, are below: To read my blog about the early origins of Hampton Court Palace,...

This episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, is Part I of II, from a special, behind the scenes mini-series recorded at Hampton Court Palace. I'm joined by Daniel Jackson, Hampton Court Palace Curator. We travel back to the mid-1530s, exploring the royal apartments and lesser known parts of the palace, imagining the characters and stories that unfolded here.  Some useful links, mentioned in this episode, are below: To read my blog about the early origins of Hampton Court Palace, click...

In this Halloween special episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, we travel to the Tower of London, whose ancient walls imprisoned some legendary inmates, including perhaps the most famous of all, Queen Anne Boleyn. Joined by Assistant Buildings Curator, Alfred Hawkins, we explore some of the well-known, and much less well-known, nooks and crannies of this notorious fortress/palace and prison.    Some useful links, mentioned in this episode, are below:  To see a gallery of images...

In this episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, we travel back to one of England's greatest Tudor buildings: Cowdray House. As Part 2 of my podcasts from Cowdray House, I meet with Dominic Fonatana, academic geographer, and expert in the Cowdray murals. Destroyed by fire, Dominic brings the Cowdray murals back to life. We discuss the fine detail in the murals, commissioned to record key scenes in Henry VIII’s life. Tune in to discover what the murals tell us about the events of...

In this episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, we travel back to one of England's greatest Tudor buildings: Cowdray House. I chat to Paul Ullson, guide at Cowdray House as we discover the history of this once splendid building, its owners and how a fire destroyed its valuable collection of precious Tudor artefacts. Tune in to discover the chilling tale of Cowdray House...   Some useful links, mentioned in this episode, are below:  To read my blog about Cowdray House,...