Whispers at Garden Gate

In this special episode of  Whispers at the Garden Gate , we step inside Chawton House with Molly Maslen, Assistant Curator, for an intimate interview and virtual tour of one of England’s most significant literary landmarks. Molly shares the fascinating history of Chawton House and the Knight family, whose stewardship of the estate shaped not only its architectural and cultural legacy but also its...

In this thoughtful and deeply evocative conversation,  Sandra Lawrence , author of  Literary Gardens , invites us to see gardens not merely as physical spaces, but as gateways to imagination, memory, and stories. She traces her love of gardens back to childhood reading, where fictional landscapes first awakened her imagination. Drawing on her deep knowledge of writers and the landscapes that inspi...

Join us as we travel to Victorian London alongside author  Irina Shapiro,  who shares her remarkable journey as a writer whose stories bridge centuries, genres, and hearts. Known for her sweeping  time-travel romances  and intricately crafted  Victorian murder mysteries , Irina has published more than sixty novels in just fourteen years—an extraordinary achievement that reflects both discipline an...

In this very special episode, we welcome Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the Countess of Carnarvon , who invites listeners into the storied world of Highclere Castle, also known as the real  Downton Abbey . A writer, historian, and custodian of one of England’s most iconic estates, Lady Carnarvon shares reflections on country life, heritage, and the enduring beauty of the natural world. Drawing inspiration...

For our second episode, we sit with  Julia Seales , author of the delightfully witty  Beatrice Steele Mysteries . From charming Swampshire in A Most Agreeable Murder, to the intrigue of Regency London in A Terribly Nasty Business, Julia’s work blends Austen–inspired social comedy with Christie’s twisty suspense. Julia shares her background in screenwriting and storytelling, and the ways she balanc...

To kick off the season, we welcome international bestselling author  Natalie Jenner , whose beloved novels— The Jane Austen Society ,  Bloomsbury Girls ,  Every Time We Say Goodbye , and now  Austen at Sea —have captured hearts around the world. In this reflective conversation, Natalie takes us behind the scenes of her newest novel,  Austen at Sea,  and discusses her journey to publication, the im...