Hidden Heritage HeritageXplore

Welcome to Hidden Heritage, where we invite you to delve into the captivating world of British heritage! In this episode, you'll join host Lady Violet Manners as she engages in a dynamic conversation with Patricia Yates, CEO of Visit Britain, to uncover the intriguing blend of history, investment, and tourism shaping the British heritage landscape.
Tune in to discover how the UK's rich heritage is experiencing a revival post-Covid, the exciting developments in promoting historic houses and gardens, and the strategic efforts to attract international visitors. With key insights into the interconnected realm of heritage, tourism, and cultural preservation, this episode promises to inspire and encourage you to embark on your own journey of exploration. So, grab your headphones and get ready to be transported into the vibrant world of British heritage!

Key Points:
00:00:01 Introduction
00:01:50 Patricia Yates explains the role of Visit Britain
00:03:20 Discussing the importance of tourism to the UK economy
00:04:57 Patricia's background and how she got into tourism
00:06:54 The rise of heritage and period dramas like Bridgerton
00:13:48 Balancing tourism and sustainability for heritage sites
00:16:29 Patricia's first experiences with heritage (Hever Castle)
00:18:08 Historic houses/sites Patricia wants to visit (Muncaster Castle, Bishop Auckland)
00:19:24 The Blenheim Palace fashion exhibition
00:20:38 Why it's important for Brits to explore UK heritage
00:22:14 Upcoming plans and campaigns for Visit Britain
00:25:44 Popular historic houses/sites for visitors 00:28:24 Hopes for the future of UK heritage
00:29:54 Quick-fire questions (favourite historic house, garden, period drama etc.)
00:31:04 Closing remarks

Guest Info:
Patricia is the CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEngland, a position she has held since 2022. With a background in journalism and consumer advocacy, Patricia started her career editing publications like Holiday Which? and the Which? Guide to Hotels. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of VisitBritain/VisitEngland and its global network, focused on building partnerships to grow tourism value across Britain. Patricia also chairs the Tourism Industry Emergency Response group and is an observer on the board of the Tourism Alliance.

About:
Step inside Britain’s greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritgeXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit www.hertiagexplore.com

Links and Resources:

Rochester Castle and Cathedral

Hever Castle

Raby Castle

Blenheim Palace

Visit Britain

British Airways

Muncaster Castle

Bridgerton

The Crown

Great Britain campaign

Sissinghurst Gardens

Visit Britain's initiatives for promoting rail travel


Thank you to the Georgian Society for the use of their venue to film this podcast. For more information, head to www.georgiansocietygroup.com
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Welcome to Hidden Heritage – the podcast that brings you inside Great Britain’s favourite destinations with help from custodians, historians, artisans and experts.
From the same team that brought you the No.1 History podcast Duchess, Hidden Heritage uncovers the fascinating stories behind the UK brightest hidden gems. With the help from the biggest voices within British heritage, Hidden Heritage will explore some of the key challenges facing national heritage today and how they can be addressed.
Hosted by Lady Violet Manners, founder of HeritageX and Executive Producer of the hit podcast Duchess, this podcast shares the untold & unique stories that celebrate UK heritage. From landmarks to architecture, artefacts to myths & legends, Hidden Heritage will highlight a side to British history you have never seen before. This is Hidden Heritage.
Step inside Britain's greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritgeXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit www.hertiagexplore.com 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description:
On this very special bonus episode, the Countess of Derby sits down with architectural historian Dr John Martin Robinson FSA to discuss the architecture of Knowsley Hall. In the episode, Lady Derby learns how the Stanley rebuilt their family seat after Lathom House was destroyed, and Dr Robinson explains the significant and unique architectural facets of the house, and Lady Derby reveals how she and her husband brought Knowsley back to life.
About Knowsley Hall:
Knowsley Hall began life as a medieval hunting lodge in the 12th century, but the earliest part of today’s building dates from about 1500. The hall has been progressively added to over the years and now is a structure boasting a Georgian façade and Jacobean, Baroque and Victorian interiors. The house was significantly rebuilt in the early 18th century by the 10th Earl, and was enlarged again by the Victorian Earls of Derby. Knowsley Hall has over 100 rooms, 20 bedrooms, and two libraries. The State Dining Room, with its 50ft-high ceiling, can seat 50 people at one long table. The parkland alone stretches to 2,500 acres, within of the 12,000 acre estate in Northern England. Shakespeare’s first company of actors – Lord Strange’s Men - performed in the hall under the patronage of the, the 5th Earl. The performance-loving 6th Earl continued the family’s patronage of Shakespeare; ’A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was probably first performed at his wedding to Elizabeth de Vere in front of Queen Elizabeth I at Greenwich Palace. Edward Lear, who popularised the limerick poetic form, wrote his nonsense poems in the hall for the grandchildren of the 12th Earl. Today the hall is home to the 19th Earl and Countess of Derby and their family. Under Lord & Lady Derby’s custodianship, Knowsley has enjoyed a renaissance as a centre of learning & community, welcoming people from across the globe.
About the Host:
The Countess of Derby was born Caroline Emma Neville in 1963, the daughter of Robin Neville, 10th Baron Braybrooke, of the House of Neville, and Robin Helen Brockhoff. Having studied History of Art, Lady Derby previously worked as assistant to the Curator of the Queen’s Pictures, at Windsor Castle. In 1994 she married Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, with whom she has three children. Lady Derby competes in dressage, currently holding the title of National Music Champion at Prix St Georges level. As custodian of Knowsley Hall, Lady Derby has overseen a vast restoration of both the hall and it’s collection, which has furthered her interest in art and history. Lady Derby also works with a collection of local organisations and charities in her local area.
Resources:
Book your private stay today: https://knowsley.com/privatestays/
Order your copy of A Grand Tour journal 1820-22; The Awakening of the Man, edited by Professor Angus Hawkins. Published by Fontill Media. Now available on Amazon.com (http://amazon.com/)
Step inside Britain's greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritgeXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit www.hertiagexplore.com 
https://www.onefineplay.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description:
In this episode, the Countess of Derby meets John Phibbs, Dr David Jacques and Dr Clemency Fisher to explore the fascinating story behind how the park and gardens at Knowsley were created. They discuss Capability Brown, what he did on the estate and why he’s considered England's greatest gardener. Lady Derby also learns how the 13th Earl built the largest private zoo ever and how his work helped save animals from extinction. They also investigate the 13th Earl’s friendship with Edward Lear, and how the young illustrator and writer would later work and live on the estate.
About Knowsley Hall:
Knowsley Hall began life as a medieval hunting lodge in the 12th century, but the earliest part of today’s building dates from about 1500. The hall has been progressively added to over the years and now is a structure boasting a Georgian façade and Jacobean, Baroque and Victorian interiors. The house was significantly rebuilt in the early 18th century by the 10th Earl, and was enlarged again by the Victorian Earls of Derby. Knowsley Hall has over 100 rooms, 20 bedrooms, and two libraries. The State Dining Room, with its 50ft-high ceiling, can seat 50 people at one long table. The parkland alone stretches to 2,500 acres, within of the 12,000 acre estate in Northern England. Shakespeare’s first company of actors – Lord Strange’s Men - performed in the hall under the patronage of the, the 5th Earl. The performance-loving 6th Earl continued the family’s patronage of Shakespeare; ’A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was probably first performed at his wedding to Elizabeth de Vere in front of Queen Elizabeth I at Greenwich Palace. Edward Lear, who popularised the limerick poetic form, wrote his nonsense poems in the hall for the grandchildren of the 12th Earl. Today the hall is home to the 19th Earl and Countess of Derby and their family. Under Lord & Lady Derby’s custodianship, Knowsley has enjoyed a renaissance as a centre of learning & community, welcoming people from across the globe.
About the Host:
The Countess of Derby was born Caroline Emma Neville in 1963, the daughter of Robin Neville, 10th Baron Braybrooke, of the House of Neville, and Robin Helen Brockhoff. Having studied History of Art, Lady Derby previously worked as assistant to the Curator of the Queen’s Pictures, at Windsor Castle. In 1994 she married Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, with whom she has three children. Lady Derby competes in dressage, currently holding the title of National Music Champion at Prix St Georges level. As custodian of Knowsley Hall, Lady Derby has overseen a vast restoration of both the hall and it’s collection, which has furthered her interest in art and history. Lady Derby also works with a collection of local organisations and charities in her local area.
Resources:
Book your private stay today: https://knowsley.com/privatestays/
Order your copy of A Grand Tour journal 1820-22; The Awakening of the Man, edited by Professor Angus Hawkins. Published by Fontill Media. Now available on Amazon.com (http://amazon.com/)
Step inside Britain's greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritgeXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit www.hertiagexplore.com 
https://www.onefineplay.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description:
In this episode, the countess of Derby meets Geoffrey Hicks and Dr. Jennifer Davey to discuss the life of the former prime minister, the 14th Earl of Derby, and how a journey to the USA would inspire him to pass anti-slavery legislation in Britain. The team explore how the 14th Earl helped drastically reform education in Ireland and why, despite entering 10 Downing street three times, he was known as the forgotten prime minister. They also us discuss other significant political figures in the family - including a Lady Mary Derby who was described as a ‘fierce political operator’ and, how her and her husband’s role in resolving the Eastern Crisis would lead them to be accused of treason by Queen Victoria.
About Knowsley Hall:
Knowsley Hall began life as a medieval hunting lodge in the 12th century, but the earliest part of today’s building dates from about 1500. The hall has been progressively added to over the years and now is a structure boasting a Georgian façade and Jacobean, Baroque and Victorian interiors. The house was significantly rebuilt in the early 18th century by the 10th Earl, and was enlarged again by the Victorian Earls of Derby. Knowsley Hall has over 100 rooms, 20 bedrooms, and two libraries. The State Dining Room, with its 50ft-high ceiling, can seat 50 people at one long table. The parkland alone stretches to 2,500 acres, within of the 12,000 acre estate in Northern England. Shakespeare’s first company of actors – Lord Strange’s Men - performed in the hall under the patronage of the, the 5th Earl. The performance-loving 6th Earl continued the family’s patronage of Shakespeare; ’A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was probably first performed at his wedding to Elizabeth de Vere in front of Queen Elizabeth I at Greenwich Palace. Edward Lear, who popularised the limerick poetic form, wrote his nonsense poems in the hall for the grandchildren of the 12th Earl. Today the hall is home to the 19th Earl and Countess of Derby and their family. Under Lord & Lady Derby’s custodianship, Knowsley has enjoyed a renaissance as a centre of learning & community, welcoming people from across the globe.
About the Host:
The Countess of Derby was born Caroline Emma Neville in 1963, the daughter of Robin Neville, 10th Baron Braybrooke, of the House of Neville, and Robin Helen Brockhoff. Having studied History of Art, Lady Derby previously worked as assistant to the Curator of the Queen’s Pictures, at Windsor Castle. In 1994 she married Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, with whom she has three children. Lady Derby competes in dressage, currently holding the title of National Music Champion at Prix St Georges level. As custodian of Knowsley Hall, Lady Derby has overseen a vast restoration of both the hall and it’s collection, which has furthered her interest in art and history. Lady Derby also works with a collection of local organisations and charities in her local area.
Resources:
Book your private stay today: https://knowsley.com/privatestays/
Order your copy of A Grand Tour journal 1820-22; The Awakening of the Man, edited by Professor Angus Hawkins. Published by Fontill Media. Now available on Amazon.com (http://amazon.com/)
Step inside Britain's greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritgeXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit www.hertiagexplore.com 
https://www.onefineplay.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description:
In today’s episode, Lady Derby sits down Alexandra Mayson and her husband Edward 19th Earl of Derby, to explore the history & association of horse racing to the Earls of Derby. In their conversation, Alexandra and Lord Derby explain which family members had more passion than others for racing and why it isn’t just the sport of kings but has always been a sport for everyone. We learn about the fascinating story behind the epsom derby, and its name was decided on the flip of a coin. We also investigate the life of the 14th Earl, aka the ‘forgotten prime minister’ and how racing was an outlet for his political responsibilities.
About Knowsley Hall:
Knowsley Hall began life as a medieval hunting lodge in the 12th century, but the earliest part of today’s building dates from about 1500. The hall has been progressively added to over the years and now is a structure boasting a Georgian façade and Jacobean, Baroque and Victorian interiors. The house was significantly rebuilt in the early 18th century by the 10th Earl, and was enlarged again by the Victorian Earls of Derby. Knowsley Hall has over 100 rooms, 20 bedrooms, and two libraries. The State Dining Room, with its 50ft-high ceiling, can seat 50 people at one long table. The parkland alone stretches to 2,500 acres, within of the 12,000 acre estate in Northern England. Shakespeare’s first company of actors – Lord Strange’s Men - performed in the hall under the patronage of the, the 5th Earl. The performance-loving 6th Earl continued the family’s patronage of Shakespeare; ’A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was probably first performed at his wedding to Elizabeth de Vere in front of Queen Elizabeth I at Greenwich Palace. Edward Lear, who popularised the limerick poetic form, wrote his nonsense poems in the hall for the grandchildren of the 12th Earl. Today the hall is home to the 19th Earl and Countess of Derby and their family. Under Lord & Lady Derby’s custodianship, Knowsley has enjoyed a renaissance as a centre of learning & community, welcoming people from across the globe.
About the Host:
The Countess of Derby was born Caroline Emma Neville in 1963, the daughter of Robin Neville, 10th Baron Braybrooke, of the House of Neville, and Robin Helen Brockhoff. Having studied History of Art, Lady Derby previously worked as assistant to the Curator of the Queen’s Pictures, at Windsor Castle. In 1994 she married Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, with whom she has three children. Lady Derby competes in dressage, currently holding the title of National Music Champion at Prix St Georges level. As custodian of Knowsley Hall, Lady Derby has overseen a vast restoration of both the hall and it’s collection, which has furthered her interest in art and history. Lady Derby also works with a collection of local organisations and charities in her local area.
Resources:
Book your private stay today: https://knowsley.com/privatestays/
Order your copy of A Grand Tour journal 1820-22; The Awakening of the Man, edited by Professor Angus Hawkins. Published by Fontill Media. Now available on Amazon.com (http://amazon.com/)
Step inside Britain's greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritgeXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit www.hertiagexplore.com 
https://www.onefineplay.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices