Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

National Trust Podcasts
  • 4.9 (98)
  • NATURE

Delve into intriguing stories from our weird, wonderful and utterly wild world.  You'll experience nature in a whole new way, from untangling the strange world of spider sex and digging up the greatest fossil finds, to meeting mysterious ocean giants and finding out why there’s no such thing as a seagull. Join experts Rosie Holdsworth, Ajay Tegala and Heather Birkett on adventures in the UK’s diverse habitats and uncover fascinating tales that connect us with wildlife. New Wild Tales are released twice a month.  Follow us on your favourite podcast app and never miss an episode.    Get in touch with feedback and your favourite topics on instagram www.instagram.com/wildtalesnt or by emailing podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk  Discover more from National Trust podcasts This podcast is made by the National Trust, Europe’s biggest conservation charity. Looking after history, nature and beauty for everyone to enjoy. Listen to Back When history podcast, taking you inside stories of our past: podfollow.com/back-when  Discover Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers, perfect for kids aged 5-8: podfollow.com/national-trust-kids-podcast Follow National Trust podcasts on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts  

  1. Arctic Terns | Globetrotting Dive-bombers

    JAN 21

    Arctic Terns | Globetrotting Dive-bombers

    The Farne Islands in the North Sea, off the coast of Northumberland, have a very special species of seabird during the summer that fiercely protects its young with its dive-bombing technique. However, it’s the Arctic Terns’ ability to fly thousands of miles during their migration from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle that really sets them apart.   Join Rosie and Rangers Dan Iceton and Tom Hendry on Inner Farne as they spend time with the Arctic Terns and experience their dive-bombing tactics first-hand.   [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure.   Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more.   Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element, in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor.  www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/  Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts  Production:  Hosts: Rosie Holdsworth and Dan Iceton Producer: Katy Kelly  Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez   Contributor: Tom Hendry  Discover More:   Find out more about The Farne Islands: Our work at Farne Islands | Northumberland | National Trust  Follow us @wildtales Instagram account  If you’d like to get in touch with feedback or a story idea you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

    13 min
  2. The Man, The Book and The Mountains

    JAN 7

    The Man, The Book and The Mountains

    Just outside Belfast, lie the Mourne Mountains - a land of granite peaks and wide skies, but also a place of witches, fawns and lions.  Protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a UNESCO Global Geopark, this remarkable landscape is also a doorway to imagination.  Join National Trust ranger Kate Martin as she journeys from the streets of Belfast to the Mourne Mountains, exploring the places that shaped C.S. Lewis’s childhood and inspired his creation of Narnia. Discover how city, story and landscape came together to form one of the most beloved worlds in children’s literature.  (AD) Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure.Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more.Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor. www.cotswoldoutdoor.com Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_Smzdtsh_tM Production Presenter: Kate Martin Producer: Pippa Tilbury-Harris Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez Contributors: Dr Sarah Waters, Director of the Sterling College C.S. Lewis Center Lolly Spence, Blue Badge Tourist Guide and historian James Fisher, Lead Ranger NI Castle Ward Actor: Ethan Hughes courtesy of Prime Theatre Thank you to The CS Lewis Company Ltd for permissions to use quotes from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis © copyright CS Lewis Pte Ltd 1950, in this episode. Discover More If you’d like to know more about visiting The Mournes, please visit  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/the-mournes You can listen to more of Kate’s Northern Ireland adventures here: Northern Ireland Adventure | Beyond the Bridge - Wild Tales | Nature Podcast | Podcast on Spotify  Northern Ireland Adventure | Sea Safari at Rathlin Island - Wild Tales | Nature Podcast | Podcast on Spotify  If you'd like to book a tour with Lolly Spence you can here: www.hiddenulstertours.com If you’d like to read Dr Sarah Waters’ work on C.S. Lewis, you can do so here: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9681-3361 And you can learn more about the Sterling College C.S. Lewis Center here: https://www.sterling.edu/academics/cs-lewis-center  If you’d like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

    19 min
  3. The Climbers of Eryri | A Story of Ice and Flowers

    12/24/2025

    The Climbers of Eryri | A Story of Ice and Flowers

    The rock faces of Cwm Idwal are cold, dark and uninhabitable; unless what you love is to dangle off the frozen cliffs. Ice climbing takes you into a winter playground, but as the climate crisis thins the ice, how can climbers and conservationists work together to save one of the UK’s rarest flowers?    Join ecologist and botanist Barbara Jones and ice climber Tom Carrick to scale one of Wales' most dramatic mountains and discover how the precious Lili'r Wyddfa (Snowdon Lily) can survive in this isolated location.  For the Welsh transcript of this episode please click here Or copy this link: https://audioboom.com/posts/8820822-dringwyr-eryri-stori-am-ia-a-blodau/transcript   [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure.  Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more.  Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element, in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor.  www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/    Production  Presenter: Rosie Holdsworth  Producer: Marnie Woodmeade  Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez  Contributors  Barbara Jones  Tom Carrick  Image credit: ©National Trust Images/John Millar    Discover more If you want to visit Cwm Idwal you can find out more at the National Trusts website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/carneddau-and-glyderau/cwm-idwal-walk  To see the temperature sensors, you can find them at the BMC website https://www.thebmc.co.uk/en/cwm-idwal-welsh-winter-monitoring-system-live-and-upgraded  You can also find the white guide and more winter mountaineering information here: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/en/mountaineering-resources For more on arctic alpines, here are some resources: Plants on the Edge: Arctic Alpines in Wales / Ar y dibyn: Planhigion Arctig Alpaidd yng Ngymru  https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/mountain_plants_in_the_uk__undervalued_and_under_threat-13605 Follow us @wildtalesnt Instagram account  If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

    20 min
  4. A Robin is not just for Christmas

    12/10/2025

    A Robin is not just for Christmas

    As the festive season unfolds, one familiar face keeps appearing – the little robin. But behind its cheerful presence, is there more to this charming bird’s story?  National Trust ranger Rosie Holdsworth chats to garden wildlife specialist Sean McMenemy about the remarkable life of robins, revealing their fascinating year-round behaviour and why this beloved bird deserves to be celebrated all year long.   (AD) Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure.Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more. Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor. www.cotswoldoutdoor.com Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts Production Presenter: Rosie Holdsworth Producer: Pippa Tilbury-Harris Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez Contributor: Sean McMenemy  Discover more You can read Sean’s garden wildlife blog here: Sean McMenemy Wildlife Blog  Follow us on our @wildtalesnt Instagram account If you’d like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

    13 min
  5. Golf Course to Nature Reserve | Just Add Water?

    11/26/2025

    Golf Course to Nature Reserve | Just Add Water?

    How can a golf course become a place for nature and people to thrive? Ajay Tegala visits Sandilands in Lincolnshire over its first year as the once manicured lawns transform into a wetland habitat. But with one of the driest springs on record, can Sandilands go from one birdie to another? Will there be enough water for wading birds return?   [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure. Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more. Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element, in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor. www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/      Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel:   https://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts        Production  Presenter: Ajay Tegala  Producer: Marnie Woodmeade  Sound designer: Jesus Gomez   Contributors  Carl Hawke  Kirsty James  Dave Miller Special Credit: A big thanks to Jannis Bonner, composer student at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, for their collaboration to this episode with the track "Breath of the Canopy". Eurasian booming bittern sfx: Author: Niels Krable  Link: https://xeno-canto.org/100296  Discover more If you want to visit Sandilands or keep up to date with their progress you can find them here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/sandilands  Follow us @wildtalesnt Instagram account  Image credit: ©National Trust Images/Rob Coleman If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

    25 min
  6. Warrior the War Horse | Survival Against the Odds

    11/11/2025

    Warrior the War Horse | Survival Against the Odds

    What happened to the animals who served in the First World War?  Uncover the extraordinary story of Warrior the war horse who survived the Western Front. General Jack Seely's horse, Warrior, was anything but ordinary. He carried his master through some of World War One's most brutal battles, including the Somme, Ypres and Passchendaele. Despite more than eight million horses, donkeys and mules losing their lives during the war, Warrior somehow survived. Join General Jack Seely's grandson and broadcaster, Brough Scott and historian, James Grasby, to retrace Warrior's incredible journey.    [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure. Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more.Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element, in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor.  www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/ Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts Production Host : James Grasby Producer and sound designer: Nikki Ruck Contributors Brough Scott  Discover more   To visit Mottistone Mottistone To find out more about Warrior Warrior The War Horse If you would like to follow in the footsteps of warrior check out the   Warrior Trail     Follow us @wildtales Instagram account  If you’d like to get in touch with feedback or a story idea you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

    22 min
  7. Halloween Special | Witches' Familiars

    10/29/2025

    Halloween Special | Witches' Familiars

    Is your cat the devil in disguise? Probably not, although they may act like it sometimes! But once upon a time, they would have been accused of luring you into witchcraft. In Britain in the 16th and 17th centuries witch hunting became an obsession and supposed ‘witches’ were put on trial, and some were even sentenced to death. Being an animal lover was considered a sure sign that someone was practicing witchcraft. Friendliness towards cats, rabbits or dogs could lead to accusations of witchcraft, as these animals, known as familiars, were suspected of working for the devil. One of those accused of witchcraft and seen with familiars was Elizabeth Clarke, a poor, disabled woman from Essex. Join Rosie and historian Dr Romany Reagan as they uncover Elizabeth’s story and the strange tale of the witches’ familiars. [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure.  Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more.  Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element, in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor. https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/   Production:  Host: Rosie Holdsworth Producers: Rosie Toy and Katy Kelly Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez   Contributor: Dr Romany Reagan Discover More:  Find out more about witchcraft: https://essexwitchmuseum.co.uk Uncover folklore, legends, myths and lost histories from the British Isles with Dr Romany Reagan: https://blackthornandstone.com Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts If you’d like to get in touch with feedback or a story idea you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

    13 min
  8. Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers | New Series Trailer

    10/22/2025 · BONUS

    Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers | New Series Trailer

    A new series of Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers is here. Awooo!   Follow the adventures of Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers, a crew of colourful creatures who use their skills to solve curious cases.    Beaver’s a super engineer. Sleepy Bat’s skill is sonar. Wildcat’s a proud predator. Deer’s strong and speedy. Fox has a nose for trouble. Shy Mole’s an expert digger, and Dragonfly’s always buzzing.  In Series Two, 12-year old Roxy has finally become a real Wildlifer and can talk to animals. But she's got a lot to learn to be a top Ranger like her hero Rae.    Luckily the Wildlifers are back on the trail solving puzzles, where they find old friends and new ones too like inventor Luca.  Join the crew on new adventures in destinations from under the sea to beautiful forests, from cruising the canal to exploring the city after dark. And meet a host of weird and wonderful characters along the way. Perfect for 5-8 year olds. Grown ups, follow Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers kids' podcast by finding the show on your favourite podcast app including Apple, Spotify and Yoto. Or follow this link: podfollow.com/national-trust-kids-podcast Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers is a podcast from the National Trust, Europe's Biggest Conservation Charity, produced by Fun Kids.

    2 min
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4.9
out of 5
98 Ratings

About

Delve into intriguing stories from our weird, wonderful and utterly wild world.  You'll experience nature in a whole new way, from untangling the strange world of spider sex and digging up the greatest fossil finds, to meeting mysterious ocean giants and finding out why there’s no such thing as a seagull. Join experts Rosie Holdsworth, Ajay Tegala and Heather Birkett on adventures in the UK’s diverse habitats and uncover fascinating tales that connect us with wildlife. New Wild Tales are released twice a month.  Follow us on your favourite podcast app and never miss an episode.    Get in touch with feedback and your favourite topics on instagram www.instagram.com/wildtalesnt or by emailing podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk  Discover more from National Trust podcasts This podcast is made by the National Trust, Europe’s biggest conservation charity. Looking after history, nature and beauty for everyone to enjoy. Listen to Back When history podcast, taking you inside stories of our past: podfollow.com/back-when  Discover Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers, perfect for kids aged 5-8: podfollow.com/national-trust-kids-podcast Follow National Trust podcasts on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts  

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