The Alnwick Castle Podcast

The latest episode of the Alnwick Castle podcast goes even further back in time than usual, as host Daniel is joined by Frances McIntosh, English Heritage Collections Curator for Hadrian's Wall and the North East, to talk about Hadrian's Wall. This landmark of the North East of England is marking its 1900th anniversary this year, and part of the celebrations is a new exhibition featuring...

This episode of the Alnwick Castle podcast goes global, as we look into one of the castle's biggest worldwide audiences - visitors from China. Host Daniel speaks to Shanghai-based translator and interpreter Emily Xu to talk about the differences between Chinese castles and those in England, and some of the unique challenges that come from translating the language of castles and stately homes...

This episode of the Alnwick Castle podcast goes all the way back to the medieval period to find out all about the art and skill that went into making items that we might think of as common or everyday - tiles! There's much more to tiles than you might expect, particularly during this time in history, and host Daniel is joined by Karen Slade, an expert tiler from the Company of Artisans, to di...

In the second part of our special look at the Fusiliers Museum (found in the Abbot's Tower of Alnwick Castle), our host Daniel speaks to the Museum's chair of trustees, John Armstrong, to hear about the long history of the Northumberland Fusiliers - from their beginnings in the 17th century to their status as the county regiment for Northumberland through to the 20th century. John shares...

Welcome to the first of two special episodes of the Alnwick Castle Podcast dedicated to the Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland, which is based in the Abbot's Tower of the Castle. In Part 1, our host Daniel speaks to Anne from the Museum's front of house team, who explains what a visit to the Fusiliers Museum can offer for visitors of all ages, discusses some of the archival work they do,...

The latest episode of the Alnwick Castle Podcast is all about the latest addition to the Castle visitor attraction - a detailed and accurate model of Alnwick Castle, as it looked in 1608, created with 3D printing technology by Ryan Gregory. Our host Daniel speaks to the Castle's Archivist, Chris Hunwick, about the work that went into the model, covering subjects like the differences between t...

On this episode of the Alnwick Castle Podcast, we're marking the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee with an episode dedicated to exploring the many connections Alnwick Castle has had with British monarchs of the past. Host Daniel is joined once again by Jeni to look into the Castle's royal history, from Norman barons supplying knights for Henry I, to Harry Hotspur&apo...

The Alnwick Castle Podcast goes to London in this episode, as our host Daniel Watkins speaks to Sheree Bellingham about Syon House, the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. Sheree takes us through the history of Syon, from its time as a religious institution, to Georgian restoration works and landscaping by Capability Brown, to its use by a young Princess Victoria....

This episode of the Alnwick Castle Podcast takes us back in time a little over 200 years to the Napoleonic Wars, when the North East of England was defended by a small group of volunteer soldiers based at Alnwick Castle. Led by Hugh Percy, the 2nd Duke of Northumberland, the Percy Tenantry Volunteers made a big impact on the history of the castle and the local area. On this episode, host Daniel is...

Coinciding with the April anniversary of Shakespeare's birth (and death), and in time for this year's open air performances by the Three Inch Fools at Alnwick Castle, this episode of the Alnwick Castle Podcast is a Shakespearean special! Join host Daniel as he talks to Shakespeare scholar Ronan Paterson about the Bard's connections to the history of Alnwick Castle. Ronan talks in de...

The Alnwick Castle Podcast gets artistic this episode, as host Daniel is joined by Sunday Times art critic and documentarian Waldemar Januszczak to explore some of the highlights of the Castle's painting collection. Waldemar talks about the importance of artists like Canaletto, Van Dyck, Titian and Palma Vecchio, all of whom have works displayed in Alnwick Castle's State Rooms. We pay sp...

On the latest episode of the Alnwick Castle Podcast, we are joined by architectural historian and author John Goodall to talk all about castles! As the writer of The English Castle and, most recently, The Castle: A History, there was nobody better for our host Daniel to speak to about castles and what makes Alnwick Castle such a special one. Daniel and John discuss the myths and legends that surro...

Episode 5 of the Alnwick Castle Podcast takes us back in time to Georgian England, as host Daniel speaks to Dr Adriano Aymonino of the University of Buckingham about the 1st Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, one of the most important couples of the 18th century. Adriano's research, culminating in the 2021 book Enlightened Eclecticism, has shed new light on the 1st Duke and Duchess' imp...

On this episode of the Alnwick Castle podcast, our host Daniel speaks to Emma from Raphael Historic Falconry about the long history of castles and birds of prey. We explore the heritage of falconry, what is required to perform displays at places like Alnwick Castle, and plenty more besides! See alnwickcastle.com for more information on when you can see the birds of Raphael Historic Falconry perfor...

On this episode of the Alnwick Castle Podcast, we are joined by a very special guest to talk about the castle's use as a filming location, and some of the movies that have been made at Alnwick. Film journalist and author Helen O'Hara speaks to our host Daniel Watkins about the benefits of making films on location, great actors like Cate Blanchett and Alan Rickman (whose films have been m...

In Episode 2 of the Alnwick Castle Podcast, we move from looking at the history of the castle itself to the history of the Percy family, now known as the Dukes and Duchesses of Northumberland, who have owned Alnwick Castle for more than 700 years. Join host Daniel as he tracks the story of the 'Lions of the North' from their beginnings in Norman England, through medieval and Tudor rebell...

The Alnwick Castle Podcast is here! In this brief introductory episode, host Daniel Watkins explains some of the things you can expect to hear in future episodes of the Alnwick Castle Podcast - from the history of the castle and the Percy family, who have lived there for over 700 years, to stories connected to Alnwick Castle, ranging from medieval falconry to military history to the worlds of magi...

Welcome to episode 1 of the Alnwick Castle Podcast! Join host Daniel Watkins as he explores the history of Alnwick Castle, one of North East England's most famous heritage and visitor attractions and a place with connections to many famous events and figures from the past 1000 years of British history. From its beginnings as a Norman fortress to its current status as a family home of the Duke...