Hidden Heritage HeritageXplore
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- Histoire
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.
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Icons of Fashion at Blenheim Palace with Kate Ballenger
Welcome to this episode of Hidden Heritage, where we invite you to step into the extraordinary world of Blenheim Palace, a true gem of British heritage.
Immerse yourself in the allure of this non-royal palace, a designated World Heritage site, with host Violet Manners. In this episode, we have the privilege of being joined by Kate Ballenger, the keeper of collections at Blenheim Palace, who provides unparalleled insights into the meticulous management and preservation of the palace's extraordinary collections.
Join us as we embark on a journey through the rich history and architecture of Blenheim Palace, learning about its royal origins and its significance in the local community. Explore the challenges faced in maintaining the palace's historical treasures amidst nearly 900,000 annual visitors and the delicate balance between public access and preservation.
Delve into the impact of fashion exhibitions on historic houses and the innovative ways in which contemporary influences are seamlessly integrated with the palace's heritage. Discover the stories, innovations, and passion behind one of the UK's most treasured landmarks in this episode that unveils the hidden heritage of Blenheim Palace. So, prepare to be enchanted as we uncover the remarkable tales behind the preservation and celebration of this iconic British landmark.
Key Points:
00:00:05 - Introduction to the podcast "Hidden Heritage" about Great Britain's favourite destinations
00:01:12 - Description of the keeper of collections' role at Blenheim Palace
00:03:34 - Discussion about the origins of the "Icons of British Fashion" exhibition at Blenheim
00:05:58 - The story of Winston Churchill's unexpected birth in a cloak room at Blenheim
00:18:56 - The inspiration behind the exhibition, including love for designers Bruce Oldfield and Jean Muir
00:23:27 - The history of the Battle of Blenheim and its significance in changing Europe's power structure
00:26:22 - Churchill's invention of the "siren suit" during wartime
00:27:00 - Barber's sustainability efforts, repairing 76,000 jackets annually
00:30:48 - The plan to spend £40 million on conservation and restoration at Blenheim
00:33:42 - Importance of engaging younger generations with historic places
00:37:56 - The upcoming project to restore Blenheim's Victorian kitchen
00:41:23 - Revealing that the collections team works in an unglamorous office inside the palace
00:42:11 - Recommendation to visit Bicester Village for shopping near Blenheim
00:44:31 - Amusing anecdotes about managing film crews, including interactions with Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, and Ridley Scott
00:45:00 - The strict "no tape" rule during film shoots to protect the palace's delicate surfaces
Guest Info
Kate Ballenger is the current Head of Collections for Blenheim Palace.
Kate was previously House Manager at Blenheim Palace. In her role, she managed conservation projects to preserve the palace collection, planned events, recruited and managed palace staff, and generally was in charge of overseeing the visitor business. Her day-to-day duties range from briefing cleaning staff and palace guides to monitoring the presentation of the palace and dealing with customer service issues.
She has a degree in art history and a diploma in art conservation.
About:
Step inside Britain’s greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritageXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit https://www.heritagexplore.com/
Links and Resources:
Blenheim Palace
Woodstock village
Bicester Village
Turnbull and Asser
Vivienne Westwood
Jean Muir
Bruce Oldfield
AI Weiwei
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Unveiling Secret Histories: Alice Loxton's Top 3 UK Destinations
Welcome to Hidden Heritage! In this episode, our host, Lady Violet Manners, is thrilled to bring you an enchanting conversation with the remarkable Alice Loxton, a passionate author, historian, and social media influencer. Together, they delve into the realm of historic buildings, untold stories, and the captivating allure of historical content on social media.
Join us as we explore:
The captivating influence of social media in engaging young people with history and heritage. Alice Loxton shares her insights on leveraging platforms like TikTok and Instagram to educate and inspire a wide audience with historical content.
Delving into the hidden history in seemingly ordinary objects and architectural details. Discover how Alice uncovers and shares the intriguing stories behind everyday historical elements, captivating audiences with her contemporary approach to historical narratives.
Unlocking the secrets and stories behind some of the UK's most cherished historical sites, from the clandestine priest hides of Harvington Hall in Worcestershire to the majestic history of Temple Church in London. Alice Loxton vividly paints the picture of these historical gems and their significance in our collective heritage.
So, prepare to be transported through time as Hidden Heritage takes you on a vibrant and illuminating journey through the rich tapestry of Britain's historical legacy.
Key Points:
00:00:05 - Introduction of Alice Loxton, historian, author, and influencer with over 1.5 million followers on social media.
00:02:05 - Alice discusses her first destination recommendation, Harvington Hall in Worcestershire, known for its priest holes.
00:12:12 - Alice shares her inspiration behind her book "Uproar," which reimagines Georgian Britain through the eyes of artists.
00:18:25 - Alice recommends her second destination, the Guild Chapel in Stratford-upon-Avon, known for its mediaeval wall paintings.
00:21:34 - Alice discusses her upcoming book "18," which explores British history through the lives of 18-year-olds across time.
00:28:44 - Alice explains why it's important to keep heritage alive and how it enriches our daily lives.
00:32:58 - Alice presents her final destination recommendation, Temple Church in London, a place that encompasses much of British history.
00:39:09 - Conclusion of the podcast, with information on how to follow Alice Loxton on social media.
Guest Info
Alice Loxton is a historian, presenter and author with 2 million followers on social media. On her Instagram account, History_alice, Alice creates bite-size pieces of historical content for her followers.
Her debut non-fiction history book, UPROAR!, reimagines the history of Georgian Britain through the eyes of the artists who immortalised it. It was released on 2nd March 2023, and has been Longlisted for Blackwell’s Book of the Year. It was reviewed in The Times, The New Statesman, Times Literary Supplement, London Review of Books, The Spectator, BBC History Magazine, Country Life and The Mail on Sunday.
She has worked with a number of charities and media organisations, such as BBC News, BBC Radio London, Meta, Sky Arts, Channel 5, Channel 4, Times Radio, Christie’s, The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, and The National Trust.
About:
Step inside Britain’s greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritageXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit https://www.heritagexplore.com/
Links and Resources:
Alice Loxton's book "Uproar"
"History of Britain in 18 Young Lives" (forthcoming book by Alice Loxton)
Harvington Hall in Worcestershire
Rosalind Franklin's diaries and letters
Temple Church in London
Shakespeare-related attractions in Stratford upon Avon
Guild Chapel in Stratford upon Avon
Kit Harington's film "The Gunpowder Plot"
Nicholas Owen (catholic priest hole designer)
www.heritagexplore.com
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The Future of UK Tourism with Visit Britain CEO Patricia Yates
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 HeritageXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit https://www.heritagexplore.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
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 https://www.heritagexplore.com/
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The Architecture of Knowsley Hall (Bonus Episode)
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 https://www.heritagexplore.com/mhttps://www.onefineplay.com/
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Knowsley Hall Park & Gardens; the 13th Earl’s Aviary & Menagerie, Edward Lear; and the Safari Park
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 https://www.heritagexplore.com/
https://www.onefineplay.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices