Series 8 of the award-winning National Trust Podcast launches on 4 April 2024

The award-winning National Trust Podcast is launching a new series on 4 April 2024, with a whole host of curious tales and inspiring adventures from across the UK.

Episodes will take listeners on immersive expeditions spanning history, nature and adventure.

Unravel the story of Ferguson’s Gang, a daring group of “gangster” women in the 1930s. Discover the little-known history of a former children’s home for babies born to white British mothers and black American GI fathers during World War Two. Venture deep underground to experience the UK’s only known Roman gold mine, Dolaucothi, Wales. And try to solve a centuries-old murder mystery set in the atmospheric Corfe Castle ruins.

Senior Podcast Producer at the National Trust, Michelle Douglass, says, “We hope listeners will feel like they are there with us in these rich and varied locations.

” The National Trust is a charity that exists for ‘everyone, for ever' and so to get to the heart of the story we hear personal and passionate tales from individuals, in the places that are special to them and that gives us a really rich connection that helps bring depth to our storytelling.

“We’ve walked with a man who’d trekked round the entire UK coast to put his life back together; we’re exploring the causeway coast by boat to meet the area’s unique marine wildlife and we’re following a community coming together after the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.

“The podcast’s also going international for the first time: we’re charting a project twinning heritage buildings under threat from climate change in the UK and Egypt. This series promises to be our most varied yet and more than ever there will be something in there for everyone.”

Series 8 of the National Trust Podcast launches on April 4^th this year, following on from a successful 2023 for the show. Last year saw the National Trust Podcast pick up several awards, including a British Podcast Awards silver accolade in the History category, and two awards for sound design in the Lovie Awards.

There was also an award for Presenter James Grasby, a National Trust curator, the host of the podcast’s history and curatorial episodes.

“It’s wonderful to be recognised for something I love doing, but for me it’s about making these stories, people and places accessible to all.

“So yes of course we want you to visit and enjoy the places we care for. But if you can’t get out to your local National Trust beach, castle or underground gold mine then we want to make the virtual visit to these places as realistic as we possibly can.

“Whether that means climbing through loos to get to hidden priest holes, re-enacting ancient burials, or imagining a day in the workhouse, it’s always a privilege to be able to bring those stories to life”.

Podcasts are presented by expert voices from around the National Trust. Guest voices, particularly those with lived experience of nature and history, bring the podcasts and their stories to life. Series 8 will feature Tayshan Hayden-Smith, social and environmental activist, presenter and founder of Grow 2 Know. It will also follow adventurer and former soldier Christian Lewis, who found fame discussing his journey and the friends and love he found along the way, as he explores the positive impact the great outdoors continues to have on his life.