From AD 43 to AD 410 Britain was under the control of the Roman Empire, from Hadrian’s Wall in the north of England to Richborough Fort in Kent. Listen to these English Heritage Podcast episodes to explore the archaeological discoveries made at these sites, and what they can tell us about life in the past.

Discover Roman Britain with English Heritage

The English Heritage Podcast

This week we’re getting to know the Romans of Britain, or to use Latin, ‘Britannia’. But who were the Romans living and working in Britain at that time? Where had they come from? And how did their way of life fit in with existing British culture? Joining us to answer these questions and more are English Heritage Properties Historian, Dr Andrew Roberts and curator, Cameron Moffett.
                                               
To learn more about life in Roman Britain, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/romans

Episode 136 – Who were the Romans of Britannia?

To mark the 1,900th anniversary of the building of Hadrian’s Wall, we’re starting a new, four-part podcast series, piecing together the story of Britain’s most famous relic of Roman rule. In this first episode, we’re joined by Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts to take a look at the story of Hadrian himself, ahead of the former emperor’s birthday on 24 January. Discover the story of his rise to become the Roman ruler, why he ordered the building of the wall along the northern frontier of the empire, and his vision for it.  
 
To learn more about Hadrian’s Wall and the stories of the sites we care for along it, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadrians-wall

Episode 147 - Hadrian’s Wall part 1: The man behind the wall

This week, we’re continuing our four-part mini-series on Hadrian’s Wall by looking at what life was like for the soldiers stationed at Housesteads Roman Fort in Northumberland. Lying half-way along the wall near Hexham in Northumberland, Housesteads is Britain’s most complete example of a Roman fort. It was built within 10 years of the wall’s initial construction, and for nearly three centuries was able to house 800 infantrymen. Joining us for a march through the history of Housesteads are Senior Properties Historian Paul Pattison and Curator for Hadrian's Wall Dr Frances McIntosh.

To discover more or plan a visit to Housesteads Roman Fort, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/housesteads

Episode 154 - Hadrian's Wall part 2: Life at Housesteads Roman Fort

Today, we’re back on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire for the third instalment of our Hadrian’s Wall mini-series. Discover what happened to the Wall following the death of Emperor Hadrian in AD 138 and how life along it evolved until the end of Roman rule in Britain. Joining us to pick up the story are Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts and curator of Hadrian’s Wall and the North East region Dr Frances McIntosh.

To discover more about Hadrian’s Wall or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/hadrianswall

Episode 161 - Hadrian’s Wall part 3: evolution and end

We’re back for the final instalment of our four-part mini-series on the story of Hadrian’s Wall on its 1,900th anniversary. From the end of Roman control in Britain to the medieval period and the rediscovery of the wall by early archaeologists, we’re looking at the legacy of Hadrian’s Wall. We also consider how the remains of the Wall and its forts are being conserved for future generations. Joining us to guide us on this journey back to the present day are Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts and Curator of Hadrian’s Wall Dr Frances McIntosh. 
 
To discover more about Hadrian’s Wall or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/hadrianswall

Episode 164 - Hadrian's Wall part 4: legacy

One of the most important anniversaries we are celebrating this year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of both Queen Victoria (24 May, 1819) and Prince Albert (26 August, 1819). In this launch episode of the podcast, presenter Charles Rowe interviews art curator Michael Hunter at Osborne, the royal couple’s beloved former holiday home on the Isle of Wight, to find out how they celebrated their birthdays here, the gifts they gave to each other, and the new exhibition and trail planned to honour the occasion.

Episode 1 - Victoria and Albert’s birthdays at Osborne

This week we interview senior properties historian Michael Carter to find out about Whitby Abbey’s role in setting the date for Easter celebrations, why it was selected to host the Synod and the wider significance of that decision. 

Following the completion of a £1.6 million project to transform Whitby Abbey’s visitor centre and museum, we also discover what visitors can find during a trip to the abbey today.

Episode 2 - Setting a date for Easter – the Synod of Whitby

This year English Heritage is celebrating the myths, legends and folklore connected to our properties, but where did these stories originate and how do they become rooted in the history of places? 

We interview leading expert Professor Ronald Hutton to discover the key elements of a really good myth, legend or folktale, how these stories endure and why there has recently been a resurgence of mythology in popular culture.

Episode 3 - The origins of myths, legends and folklore

A £2.3 million project called ‘Re-discovering Walmer’s Lost Pleasure Grounds’ has enabled us to restore two previously inaccessible areas of the award-winning gardens at Walmer Castle in Kent. 

Presenter Charles Rowe heads down to this Tudor fortress in Kent to meet senior properties historian Paul Pattison and head gardener Mark Brent to discover the story of the castle and its gardens, and find out what visitors can expect to see when the project is completed in the coming weeks.

Episode 4 - Re-discovering Walmer Castle's lost pleasure grounds

We join Guy Hayward and Jason Goodwin from the British Pilgrimage Trust to walk a section of the South Dorset Old Stones Way – one of 10 historic trails taking in English Heritage sites en-route.

Listen on to discover the meaning of pilgrimage, the mental and physical benefits of exploring our past, and what you can expect to discover along the way.

Episode 5 - Explore England’s history on a pilgrimage walk

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites, and brings the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year. 

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk