Claim OwnershipLady Carnarvon's Official Podcast
Subscribed: 122Played: 3,453
Subscribe
© 2026 Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcast
Description
My husband, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, and I have the enormous privilege and pleasure of living in, and taking care of, my husband’s family home, Highclere Castle, which is better known to many people as the setting for the popular television programme “Downton Abbey”. Thanks to this series, our home has, over the last few years, become one of the most well-known and iconic houses in the world. My Podcast is my way of trying to share the stories and heritage of this wonderful building and estate, and all the people and animals that live and work here, so that you can get to know and love it as I do.
95 Episodes
Reverse
I’m delighted to welcome the novelist Emily Howes to the castle to talk about her book The Painter’s Daughters, inspired by Gainsborough’s portraits of his two girls and the striking shift from their lively childhood images to a stiffer, unhappier adulthood. Emily shares how she researched 18th-century Bath, its muddy, smelly, party-like medical culture, through visits and sources such as James Hamilton’s biography, Letters from Bath, and books on travel, while noting how little s...
In this episode from Highclere Castle, I sit down with Nick Hopton to talk about his book, "Marma Mia," which begins as the story of buying and restoring a holiday house in an unspoiled part of Tuscany, the Maremma and becomes a wider family and personal journey. Nick shares how reading "A Year in Provence" during COVID while he was British Ambassador to Libya helped inspire him to write a feel-good book that encourages readers to discover lesser-known regions. We discuss his Fore...
Welcome to my podcast! In this special episode, I am thrilled to welcome Colin Thackery, a Chelsea Pensioner and Britain's Got Talent winner, who has an extraordinary life story to share. Colin talks about his time in the Royal Artillery, his experience being appointed an MBE and his unexpected journey to stardom at the age of 89. We also discuss his book, 'My Story. Love Changes Everything' and his enduring love for his late wife Joan. Join us as we reflect on his inspiring journey, his mili...
In this New Year special episode, I'm delighted to sit down with my husband. We reflect on the challenges and highlights of 2025, including our memorable 'Weekend to Remember' event and the exciting premiere of the 'Grand Finale' film. We also discuss the personal joys and trials on the farm and in our gardens, and the impact of a very dry summer. Looking forward, we share our excitement for upcoming events in 2026, including the construction of the new garden pavilion, various celebrations, ...
In this episode, we are joined by Toby Wilkinson, acclaimed Egyptologist, historian, and author, whose work has shed new light on the mysteries and marvels of ancient Egypt. Toby brings his deep expertise and passion for history to our conversation, offering listeners a fascinating journey through the world of pharaohs, pyramids, and the enduring legacy of one of humanity’s greatest civilizations. We delve into Toby’s latest research and publications, exploring the cultural, political, and sp...
I'm delighted to have the prolific author Santa Sebag Montefiore as my special guest. We reminisce about our early days and dive into Santa's successful writing career, including her latest book in the Pixie Tate series. Santa shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her characters, and her love for weaving spiritual themes into her novels. We also discuss the challenges of breaking into the literary world and the importance of hope and faith for young people today. Jo...
Lady Carnarvon welcomes Harriet Evans, a former publisher turned writer, to Highclere Castle. Harriet discusses her journey from working at Penguin Books to becoming a successful author. They delve into her latest book, 'The Treasures,' part of the Seven Stones Trilogy, which is rich in historical and geographical details. Harriet shares her writing process, her love for creating vivid settings, and the influence of her literary family. The conversation also touches on overcoming insecurities...
I welcome my dear friend Callie Coles to the podcast. Callie, the author of a fabulous new book and the first of a trilogy, shares whimsical tales from her bucolic life on the Devon-Cornwall border. We delve into her enchanting Instagram account, which offers a nostalgic glimpse into her world filled with ponies, dogs, and her picturesque home. We discuss Callie's unique and therapeutic relationship with her pony, Sparky, whose presence has become a ray of sunshine in their already idyl...
Today, I am delighted to be joined by Owen O'Kane, an expert psychotherapist specializing in anxiety. Owen shares his unique perspective on viewing anxiety as an ally that can be positively harnessed when understood properly. We dive into his latest book, which provides not only a deep insight into anxiety but practical steps to manage it. Owen opens up about his personal experiences with anxiety, his professional insights from working in palliative care, and his childhood in Northern Ireland...
I'm delighted to welcome the wonderful Miranda Hart to our podcast. We cover many topics, from the importance of joyfulness and humor in life to her iconic character Ms. Bates in Jane Austen's 'Emma'. Miranda opens up about the challenges she faced during her career and the inspiration behind her book, 'I Haven't Been Entirely Honest With You'. We chat about the intricacies of British humor, the pressures of performing in front of a studio audience, and the technical aspects of co...
I'm thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented craftsman, Matthew Edley, known as Ted. Sitting down at Highclere Castle, we delve into Ted's journey from a punk rocker with a distinct red Mohican to a renowned metalwork master. We talk about his meticulous work repairing and conserving the castle’s historical candelabra and lamps, including converting them from candlelight to electric while maintaining their historical integrity. Ted also shares his experiences as a part of the TV series 'Th...
In this podcast episode, I am delighted to welcome author Sinclair Mackay to discuss his captivating book on Winston Churchill, which delves into 90 meetings over Churchill's 90-year life. Our conversation covers Churchill's diverse roles and personal attributes, from his military valour to his romanticism, and even his encounters with notable figures like Einstein and Queen Elizabeth II. Sinclair shares how Churchill's fearless and multifaceted nature made him an extraordinary figure, one wh...
In this episode, I sit down with the immensely talented artist and illustrator, Lucy Clare Dunbar, at Highclere Castle. Lucy shares her journey into becoming an illustrator, influenced by her father's artistry, and her love for drawing from a young age. She discusses the challenges she faced, particularly losing her sight due to health issues, and how drawing became a form of therapy for her. Her sight eventually returned, giving her a profound appreciation for life. We delve into her b...
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome one of my favorite historians, Alice Loxton, to the castle. We discuss her fascinating book 'Eighteen', which delves into the lives of historical figures when they were 18 years old. Alice shares her passion for medieval history and reveals how @history_alice came into being. We explore her unique approach to writing, imagining historical characters in modern settings to bring them to life. I was particularly intrigued by her diverse selection of characters, fro...
In this episode, I sit down with aviation author Rowland White to discuss Geoffrey de Havilland's remarkable contributions to aviation, focusing on the iconic Mosquito plane. We explore de Havilland's early failures and eventual successes, including his innovative use of wood to construct aircraft. We also delve into personal stories connected to Highclere Castle and discuss ongoing efforts to restore Mosquito planes to flying condition! You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Of...
In my first podcast of the year, I am joined by my husband, to discuss reflections on the past year and hopes for the future. We talk about various personal and public topics including the challenges of the past year, changes in the weather, and updates from our lives. We discuss the upcoming release of a third Downton Abbey film and chat about our gardening efforts, plans for hosting events at Highclere Castle, our gin production achievements, and hopes for our horses in training. It is so i...
My guest this month is Liz Earle, renowned for her iconic beauty products. Liz discusses her transition from running a beauty brand to writing about health and wellness. We talk about her latest book, which offers personal insights and practical advice for living a healthier and longer life, especially for midlife women. We explore topics like nutrition, gut health, the importance of social connections, and self-care. Liz also shares her personal journey, her passion for com...
My guest this month is a trusted and familiar broadcaster on all things medical. Best known for his regular TV appearances he's also no stranger to writing. But until recently his books have been strictly non-fiction. Now he's branched out into story-telling with his WWI novel, Frontline, published in September 2021. I hope you'll enjoy my conversation with him. You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/ New episodes...
I'll let you listen to this edition of my podcast to find out exactly how I first met Tom, but suffice to say it has been a great joy to get to know him. Tom is a writer, actor, TV presenter but is perhaps best known as a stand-up comedian. These days he's rarely off the TV so it was fabulous that he found time to join me for a chat at the real Downton Abbey! You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/ New episodes are published ...
Joining me at the real Downton Abbey for this month's podcast is the author Veronica Henry. Veronica has written more than twenty bestselling novels having started her career as a script writer in TV and Radio. Her latest book is called 'The Secret Beach' - a perfect read as we bid farewell to summer. You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/ New episodes are published on the first day of every month.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States