Lady Carnarvon’s Castle Conversations

Saturday, 31 May, 2025

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 'The Restorers,' where he showcases the art of craftsmanship and restoration.

Wednesday, 30 April, 2025

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. 

Monday, 31 March, 2025

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.

Saturday, 1 March, 2025

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, from Bede to Vivienne Westwood, and how she makes history accessible and engaging for everyone.

Saturday, 1 February, 2025

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 discussongoing efforts to restore Mosquito planes to flying condition!

Wednesday, 1 January, 2025

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 important to maintain optimism and cherish moments of joy amidst ongoing global and personal challenges.

Sunday, 1 December, 2024

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 community, and her humanitarian work in Africa. The episode concludes with reflections on maintaining brain health, physical fitness, and the critical role of nourishment.

Friday, 1 November, 2024

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.

Tuesday, 1 October, 2024

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!