Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

Take a tour through time as we explore the rich past and promising future of Castlefield Viaduct – a Victorian railway bridge transformed into a green oasis and bustling garden in the heart of the Manchester city skyline. Production Host: Michelle Douglass Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Find out more about visiting Castlefield Viaduct: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/...

Revisit a favourite episode from our mini series 125 Treasures . Join actor Alison Steadman and explore the story behind Hambletonian, Rubbing Down, a painting by George Stubbs at Mount Stewart in County Down.  Delve into the world of horse racing and uncover the hidden criticisms of this treasure's past owner. Production Host: Alison Steadman Producer: Claire Hickinbotham/Sean Douglas Sound edito...

The rolling hills of Stockbridge Down in Hampshire have a secret that comes after night falls. Ranger Kate Martin is hot on the trail of a mysterious species you might be surprised to meet in the UK, and uncover why this high vantage point was a perfect spot for grisly goings on. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Claire Hickinbotham Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more For information abou...

Wildlife and nature is not just found in the countryside. Meet the buzzing birding community in the unlikely location of Leeds city centre. Ranger Kate Martin meets experts watching the skies for Peregrine Falcons, learns how listen for bird calls and discovers how even the smallest of spaces can be transformed into a haven for winged companions. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Nikki Ruck S...

Hear the story of how an eccentric Victorian and a potato helped save Japan’s lost cherry blossom blooms. Visit an international Hanami party in London and wander through an underwater flowering meadow. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of blossom. Production Host: Kate Martin Producer: Jesse Edbrooke Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Find the best places to see blossom: nationaltrust.org.u...

Get set for adventure with the National Trust Kids’ Podcast. Join a host of colourful characters in stories exploring the world around us, from going wild outdoors to uncovering scientific marvels.  Dive into our first story, Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers. When some humans get in a pickle on a kayak, Ranger Rae and a band of animal heroes rush in to help with the rescue. Discover the wonderful wor...

Experience life on Blakeney Point in Norfolk as it transforms throughout the year. From the mass arrival of seal pups in winter to the noisy feathered-frenzy of summer, discover how a remote stretch of shingle coastline is home to some of the UK's most unique marine wildlife. Production Host: Michelle Douglass Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more Please follow our se...

A disco ball, a pirate ship and portraits with speech bubbles are perhaps not what you’d expect to see when visiting a historic property, but at the UK’s first Children’s Country House, anything could happen. Join Curator James Grasby, as he explores this place filled with surprises at every turn. Production Hosts: James Grasby and Manhoor Producer: Nikki Ruck Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover mo...

Until recently the history of Orford Ness has been kept top secret but now is home to endangered plants and animals making their home alongside eerie abandoned buildings once the hub of historic and world changing science experiments, including Britain's Atomic Bomb. A covert and secretive wilderness lies just off the Suffolk coast, join Ranger Kate Martin as she explores this military base turned...

An updated version of this episode is now available on our new History Podcast, Back When. To listen, please visit https://ntpodcasts.org/BW8 and make sure to follow the show to hear more tales from time. The original version of this episode, uploaded in 2022, will remain here for you to enjoy. Many of us grew up reading about Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggywinkle, but how much do you know about the wo...

Just beneath our feet lies a hidden world of ancient curiosities and undiscovered treasures but laying your hands on them and figuring out exactly what they are requires some extra special underfloor sleuthing to sort the rubbish from the rarities. An archaeological adventure awaits in the story of the Dust Detectives as the team uncover early medieval music and learn about the lives of ordinary p...

There’s 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 in search of Bats, Moths and underwater noise makers. To explore Cragside by daylight please listen to part one of our North East Adventure please listen to The Inventors Playground | G...

Buckle up for a safari through a land where nothing is at it seems, and uncover the story of an audacious Victorian inventor known as the Magician of the North. Ranger Kate Martin heads to Cragside to learn about the maverick Lord Armstrong, the worlds first smart home and a transformed landscape that makes gadgets from the surrounding natural world. To explore Cragside after dark listen to A Wild...

If historic houses are the treasure boxes that keep the jewels within them safe, what happens when the box starts to fall apart? Find out how one precious item of home decor was left hanging when the walls around it crumbled, until conservators devised a rescue plan. Curator James Grasby heads to North Wales and to a warm welcome to Wrexham to visit Erddig, a home he once cared for to find out how...

Hiking, running, and cycling can be great ways to get from A to B for the environmentally conscious traveller. But for a truly alternative mode of transport why not embrace the power of the paddle? Jo Dyson heads to Anglesey to learn the ropes and become an expert in Stand Up Paddleboarding aka SUP. Production Host: Jo Dyson Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more For m...

Mae'r Gymraeg yn un o ieithoedd byw hynaf Ewrop, ond pa ran chwaraeodd ffermdy bychan ger Penmachno yng ngoroesiad yr iaith hyd heddiw? Ymunwch a Betsan Powys wrth iddi fynd ar siwrne i Dŷ Mawr Wybrnant i ddysgu mwy am Esgob William Morgan, un o gewri'r genedl sy'n cael ei adnabod gan lawer fel gwaredwr yr iaith Gymraeg. Click here to hear this story in English

Speaking and reading the language of your country of origin is something many people take for granted.  But for many in the country of Wales, being able to engage with these elements of Welsh heritage takes on a much greater significance. That's because if it wasn’t from a very special man and a very special book, these elements of Wales' culture could have been lost to the sands of time. Presente...

At Knole house in Kent, there’s an endangered red list species lurking amid the antique furniture. After remaining at the property for hundreds of years, the house team are doing all they can to ensure its survival for the future. Curator James Grasby unravels this story of heritage craft work as he finds out the lengths and efforts going into this item's survival. Production Host: James Grasby Pr...

After 5 years of climate change and fluctuating weather, we catch up with the highs and lows of our fluttery friends, the Silver Studded Blue butterfly in this revisted episode. Ranger Kate Martin hears how the team at Hafod Garregog nature reserve have been caring for the habitat of this peculiar butterfly species away from their usual home on the coast and learns how a team in Devon are making b...

If you stumble upon 20 Forthlin Road, without knowing its history, you may assume it’s an unremarkable house, on an unremarkable suburban street. But it’s when you meet its former resident you realise, there’s much to this house than meets the eye. Producer and presenter Sean Douglas heads to Liverpool to meet the brother of Beatle, Paul McCartney. Now a photographer and visual artist, Mike McCart...

A family trip takes a surprising turn when a mysterious encounter changes the course of National Trust member Sally’s life. Hear how a chance meeting with a stranger set off a chain of events in this will they, won't they tale of romance and adventure.   Production Host: Heather Birkett Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more For more information about visiting Attingha...

As a Black Brit from London,  going out for a hike used to feel like an alien concept for Sean. However, after 4 years working at the National Trust, he’s now developed a love for the great outdoors and all things Wilderness. His sister, like many others, has never been for a hike in her life.   Can Sean convince her to embrace the outdoors on her first ever hike as they venture into Bannau Bryche...

Jo and Katherine are back on two wheels to continue their bikepacking adventure cycling along the Cornish and Devon coast finding out everything you need to know about taking a holiday by bike. This time on their bikes, they’re given some unexpected assistance, they come face to face with some curious creatures and they visit one of the National Trust’s most quirky properties. Production Host: Jo...

You’ve probably heard of backpacking and/or bike touring, but BikePacking is a combination of the two that makes for an exciting and exhilarating way to explore the great outdoors. In this episode join Jo Dyson on her two day bikepacking adventure along the North Cornish Coast. Production Host: Jo Dyson Producer: Pippa Tilbury-Harris Sound editor: Jesus Gomez Discover more For more information on...