Hancock Productions

The Country House Podcast

History EN ↓ 121 episodes

"If these walls could talk..." | Please join us as we discuss all things country houses. These are far more than mere bricks and mortar; they are family homes - living, breathing, changing and adapting over time. On The Country House Podcast we explore everything from their architectural history, gardens and collections to the lives of those who have lived and worked in them. The goal of our platform remains true to its founding principles. We hope to inform people on a subject we are knowledgeable about, while proving that architectural and art history are accessible and engaging for  everyon...

Author

Hancock Productions

Category

History

Latest episode

Apr 16, 2026

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Episodes

Blenheim Palace: The Most Inhospitable Home In England? | The Country House Podcast 22 15.04.2024

Today we discuss another of Vanbrugh's works, Blenheim Palace, coined by Alexander Pope as the most inhospitable home in England. If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like, share and comment as you see fit. For more information, please visit our website ....

Sir John Vanbrugh: The Greatest English Country House Architect? | The Country House Podcast 21 08.04.2024

In today's episode we discuss the life of Sir John Vanbrugh through his greatest works, a radical figure in theatre, design, politics and art. Sir John Vanbrugh's legacy is kept alive most notably by Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our c...

Sandringham House: The Royal Retreat | The Country House Podcast 19 26.03.2024

In today's episode, Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss Sandringham House, a long-running Royal retreat. We discuss the criticisms of the estate, the joyful traditions, and the significance of the community's relationship with the house. If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our commu...

Evolution Of Country House Design Eras | The Country House Podcast 18 19.03.2024

In this instalment of The Country House Podcast, hosts Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss how the politics and goings-on of the time influenced the architectural styles and designs of country houses. Much ground is covered, from the Norman conquest to William and Mary and beyond.  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and make sure to fo...

Highgrove House: The King's Country Residence | The Country House Podcast 17 12.03.2024

Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss Highgrove House, the country residence of Their Majesties King Charles & Queen Camilla. All aspects of their home are discussed from the rustic garden temples to the chintzy interiors.  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like...

What Is Palladianism? | The Country House Podcast 16 05.03.2024

Andrea Palladio's influence is possibly unmatched in the history of architecture. Ben, Geoff, and Conor discuss what Palladian architecture is and why it became fashionable in many country house designs. If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like, share an...

Osborne House: Victoria & Albert's Treasured Isle Of Wight Home | The Country House Podcast 15 27.02.2024

In today's episode we discuss the beloved family home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert - Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. A testament to Prince Albert's innovation and Thomas Cubitt's famous building mind.  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please...

Our Favourite Follies | The Country House Podcast 14 20.02.2024

In this episode, Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss what follies are, their purpose, and some of their favourite follies. If you haven't already, we'd love if you could leave a 5-star rating and share with a friend.  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also li...

Why Country Houses Are Great Film Locations | The Country House Podcast 13 13.02.2024

In part 2 of 2, we ask why Country Houses provide such an amazing location for films, and the storytelling that they proffer.  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like, share and comment as you see fit. For more information, please visit our website . Hosted...

Downton Abbey's Profound Impact On Highclere Castle | The Country House Podcast 12 06.02.2024

In this first part of a two-part episode, Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss Highclere Castle in the broader context of Country Houses featured in films and television shows.  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like, share and comment as you see fit. For more info...

Ireland's Unique Big Houses | The Country House Podcast 11 30.01.2024

In today's episode we find ourselves discussing the unique aspects of the Irish Country House, from quoins to rich colours, exterior ruggedness to Desmond Guinness.  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like, share and comment as you see fit. For more inf...

Inside An Estate Village: Purposes & Motives | The Country House Podcast 10 23.01.2024

In this episode, Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss the privately-owned estate villages.  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like, share and comment as you see fit. For more information, please visit our website . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

The Decline & Destruction Of The Country House | The Country House Podcast 09 16.01.2024

Geoff, Conor, and Ben discuss the decline and destruction of country houses - primarily during the 20th century.  *Our apologies for Ben's poor audio on this episode and previous - this has now been resolved for all future episodes!* If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our communi...

Blickling Hall: Home Of Anne Boleyn's Headless Ghost | The Country House Podcast 08 09.01.2024

Today we discuss Norfolk's Blickling Hall. From Dutch Gables to ghastly ghouls, Jacobean design to a 9-year old owner, fairytale ceilings...there is so much to learn about this magnificent home.  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like, share and commen...

What To Expect Inside A Country House | The Country House Podcast 07 02.01.2024

Continuing from the previous episode, we take a step inside general country houses of the past - noting that no two are the same - to discuss the main rooms and layout, and the intention or purpose behind them.  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like, share...

What To Expect On A Country Estate | The Country House Podcast 06 26.12.2023

In this episode, we delve somewhat into what you can expect to find on a country estate. There is so much and so we primarily cover gate lodges, serpentine lakes, and follies. We will return to the subject with more in the future. We all hope you've had a very happy Christmas and wish you all the best for 2024. If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our member...

The Duchess of Rutland: Christmas at Belvoir Castle | The Country House Podcast 05 19.12.2023

We're joined for this special Christmas episode by The Duchess of Rutland, Emma Manners, who explains the experience of running an estate at Christmas time. Belvoir Castle has teamed with Charlotte Lloyd-Webber to bring the theme of the '12 Days of Christmas' for visitors to enjoy. If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Pa...

Wentworth Woodhouse: The Longest Country House In Europe | The Country House Podcast 04 12.12.2023

In today's episode, we delve into the rich history of Wentworth Woodhouse, the longest country home in Europe and the original home of George Stubbs' famous painting 'Whistlejacket.'  If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our community. Please also like, share and com...

The Evolution Of Country House Architecture: Baroque-Arts & Crafts | The Country House Podcast 03 05.12.2023

In this episode we take a tour across the Country House architectural periods and give a rundown and examples of each one. This week is part 2 of 2 and includes everything from Baroque to the Arts & Crafts movement, concluding with thoughts about the present day. If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting t...

The Evolution Of Country House Architecture: Earliest Houses-Carolean | The Country House Podcast 02 28.11.2023

In this episode we take a tour across the Country House architectural periods and give a rundown and examples of each one. This week is part 1 of 2 and includes the earliest forms of country houses and ends at the Carolean stylistic period. If you enjoy tuning in, please consider supporting us by joining one of our membership tiers on our Patreon page - we love getting to know members of our commu...

Why We Are Creating The Podcast: An Introduction | The Country House Podcast 01 21.11.2023

Join us for the very first episode of The Country House Podcast. We discuss what got us all interested in country houses, what people misunderstand about country houses, and what you can expect from the podcast moving forward.  Follow The Country House Podcast as well as Geoff, Conor, and Ben on social media. The Country House Podcast episodes are released every Tuesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple...

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