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The English Heritage Podcast

by English Heritage

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Latest episodes

  • 1066: Omens, Halley's Comet & the Fall of Kings | Episode 4

    October 26, 2026 · 31 min

    In the fourth episode of our special 1066 series, host Amy Matthews takes a step back from the battlefield to look up at the skies. Did a cosmic sign destabilise an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, or was it medieval political spin? Dr Will Wyeth…

  • Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin: the woman who discovered what stars are made of

    October 22, 2026 · 43 min

    In 1911, when Cecila Payne was eleven, she was so musically gifted that none other than the great composer Gustav Holst encouraged her to take up music as a career.   But her sights were set – literally – much higher. Her passion for…

  • 1066: The Battle of Hastings blow by blow | Episode 3

    October 14, 2026 · 30 min

    The day that changed English history forever has dawned. In this episode of English Heritage’s special 1066 series, host Amy Matthews looks at the Battle of Hastings as it happened, using established facts and some creative speculation…

  • 1066: Build up to the Battle | Episode 2

    October 12, 2026 · 35 min

    Following our look at the Bayeux Tapestry in Episode 1, host Amy Matthews explores the dramatic events leading up to the Battle of Hastings. Joining her are regular guest Roy Porter (Senior Curator of Properties at English Heritage) and Dr…

  • King Arthur, goblins and dragons - how prehistoric sites got their names

    October 8, 2026 · 41 min

    From Long Meg and her Daughters to the Devil’s Arrows to Hetty Pegler’s Tump, the British Isles is dotted with ancient places with curious names. But who came up with those titles and what inspired them?   This time, Amy is joined by…

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  • The Bayeux Tapestry: 1066 Comes Home | Episode 1

    October 5, 2026 · 48 min

    Welcome to the first episode of our brand-new, seven-part English Heritage Podcast video series exploring the historic events of 1066.    This episode unravels the years long journey to bring the iconic 70-metre Bayeux Tapestry back to…

  • Skeleton 1863: Reconstructing the face of “Conquest Man”

    October 1, 2026 · 37 min

    In this episode, host Amy Matthews is joined by Kevin Booth, English Heritage’s Head Curator of Collections, and Professor Caroline Wilkinson, Director of Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University. Together, they explore how forensic…

  • From food to florals: The rise of the rockstar gardener

    September 24, 2026 · 39 min

    The English Heritage Podcast goes live! Host Amy Matthews records in front of a live audience at Audley End House during the 2026 Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair.  Joined by English Heritage experts Andrew Hann, Michael Klemperer and Emily…

  • Hidden lives: slavery in Roman Britain

    September 17, 2026 · 29 min

    In this episode, we explore how a simple piece of Roman pottery - a red Samian bowl - can reveal the hidden lives of people living in Britain nearly 2,000 years ago.     Found at Corbridge Roman Town, this artifact features a unique bit…

  • The sights, sounds and smells of a Roman fort

    September 10, 2026 · 51 min

    Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian's Wall is Britain's most complete Roman fort. From the remains of its buildings, we can get a good idea of what it looked like. But how did the bathhouse smell? Or, perhaps more importantly, what about the…

  • Harmondsworth: One of England’s Medieval Great Barns

    September 3, 2026 · 44 min

    Step through the doors of Britain’s surviving medieval barns and you enter a space that once fed whole communities. This week, Amy Matthews meets Dr Lydia Miller and Dr Nick Holder to explore the surprising power of Eng…

  • From monastery to mansion: The colourful history of Audley End House

    August 27, 2026 · 48 min

    Audley End House in Essex is still one of England’s finest mansions. To look at it today, you’d never know it started life as Walden Abbey, a Benedictine monastery dissolved by Henry VIII. The story of its journey from monastery to…

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About the show

Every object has a story to tell. But how can one mystery item lead us on a journey through history, people and places?  In the English Heritage podcast, comedian and writer Amy Matthews brings you entertaining tales from unexpected places. Each week, we begin with a mystery item and with the help of English Heritage experts and special guests, Amy explores what our past can tell us about our present and perhaps our future. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts.