Talks service

The ruins of Fountains Abbey from De Grey's walk viewing deck — Fountains Abbey is one of many places our volunteer speakers offer talks about | © J Shepherd

The talks service offers a variety of National Trust themed presentations to local groups, clubs and organisations in the East of England and the North. All the talks are given by our experienced volunteer speakers who, using their experiences and knowledge, have created a variety of talks related to the National Trust for you to choose from.

East of England

Our speakers within the East of England offer a variety of illustrated presentations to local groups, clubs and organisations.

You can hear stories about past families and servants, artists and authors, or find out more about the buildings, countryside and coastline we look after and how we care for them.

For those who are further afield, we have the option of some online presentations.

Cambridgeshire

Helen Ackroyd

One place, one time, one life: Lord Fairhaven’s life at Anglesey Abbey

This talk takes a look at some of the history of the buildings at Anglesey Abbey, between the years 1236 and 1956. Learn more about the family history of Lord Fairhaven, discover where the money came from, and find out more about the house and its gardens.

Talk available in person and online

To enquire about this talk, please email the team at Anglesey Abbey: angleseyabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk

Norfolk

Brian Butcher

A Blickling Soap Opera

Henrietta Howard was born at Blickling and the talk supported by a presentation covers her fascinating life and times. Born into plenty she suffered family tragedies, an abusive marriage and great poverty even to the extent of living under an assumed name. By her own efforts and determination she gained a role in royal service and eventually became the mistress to a king and the servant of a queen. She took a brave and unprecedented step to resolve her situation at great personal cost, eventually becoming countess of Suffolk. This is a story which is very much a soap opera.

A Tudor Sextet: The Unfortunate Wives of Henry VIII

All the six wives of this king have their own stories to tell. This talk, supported by a presentation, brings the detail to life, including the manner in which each could be said to be unfortunate. All became embroiled in the politics of the Tudor court including the intrigue and plots by supporters and opponents. All were manipulated to varying degrees. Did two deserve to be executed? Why did one stand on firm principle to her detriment whilst anothertook a pragmatic approach and substantially benefit? Why did one survive by using her initiative? This is a brief walk through a tumultuous period in English history.

A Blickling River of Time

A river runs through the Blickling estate and this talk, supported by a presentation, covers 1,000 years of history to which it has been witness. It is the story of those who have shaped developments, including among others the Boleyns, Hobarts and Lothians. Tragedy, intrigue, politics and scandal feature as well as the building of all the houses which have stood on the current site. How did it become the first such large estate to come to the National Trust, thanks to the efforts of the last private owner? This is a rapid walk through a fascinating story which continues today.

Anne Boleyn: Saint or Sinner?

Anne Boleyn must be the most infamous queen consort in the history of the country. Having played an influential role in religious reform, how did she fall from grace and suffer execution? Was she even guilty of her alleged crimes or was it case of judicial murder to satisfy the needs of the king? The talk, supported by a presentation, covers the life and times of Anne including events leading up to the first execution of a queen consort. People are left to judge for themselves whether Anne was the saint of subsequent Protestant writing or the heretic sinner of Catholic commentators.

Talks available in person only

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Bunty Gotts

The Wife, the Mistress and the Widow

The Wife, (Jacobean), the Mistress, (Georgian) and the Widow, (Victorian) is a talk about three very strong, but very different women, who each played an important part in the survival of Blickling.

The Thirties Guest Book

A glimpse of life at Blickling in the thirties, seen through the servant’s eyes. Bunty uses the transcripts of recordings taken of the staff who worked at Blickling Hall in the thirties, along with her own notes of conversations she had with the cook, Flo Wadlow, who until her death at the age of 100, was a regular visitor to Blickling.

Talks available in person only

To enquire about any of these talks, please email the team at Blickling: blickling@nationaltrust.org.uk
Anne Guymer

Oxburgh Hall – Raising the Roof: Medieval Rafters, Rats and Treasure

It started with a collapsed dormer window! As a result a £6 million project is underway at Oxburgh Hall, which will see repairs carried out to the roof, windows, chimneys and medieval gatehouse façade, securing Oxburgh’s future and the collection within. This presentation details the work and progress on the building, the 86 tonnes of scaffolding, rebuilding the dormer windows, repairing the 27 chimneys and replacing 17,000 roof tiles – together with an update on the exciting finds that have resulted in Oxburgh Hall being nominated for an acclaimed worldwide archelogy award. The rafters ravaged by the Civil War, the dormer windows being rebuilt brick by brick, the clothing samples from the 16th/17th century stolen by medieval rats and the 15th/16th century illuminated manuscripts with their gold and blue original work still visible. The talk also introduces a number of fascinating Bedingfelds who have lived at Oxburgh Hall.

Talk available in person and online

To enquire about this talk, please email the team at Oxburgh: oxburghestate@nationaltrust.org.uk

Suffolk and Essex

Richard Symes

Turbulence to Tranquility, the History of Dunwich Heath

An illustrated talk about the extraordinary tales of people and events from the 18th century to today. How the heath has changed. From the days of smuggling to Coastguards then on to the dramatic events during WW1 and WW2. The Heath was certainly not always the quiet and peaceful place that it is today.

Talk available in person and online

To enquire about this talk, please email the team at Dunwich Heath: dunwichheath@nationaltrust.org.uk
Pat Hodgkins

John Constable: The Man and His Landscape

This is a talk illustrated both by copies of some of Constable’s celebrated paintings, and also photographs of the Stour Valley as it is today. The accompanying talk covers the life and work of John Constable and also how the valley and buildings at Flatford are used now. For specialist art groups there can be more concentration on Constable’s style of painting and sketching. Many relevant books are made available for those who wish to see them.

Talk available in person only

To enquire about this talk, please email the team at Flatford: flatfordbridgecottage@nationaltrust.org.uk
David Simmonds

10 Tales of the National Trust

This fully illustrated talk is a medley made up of ten different tales or sections dealing with varied aspects of the National Trust. These range from David Simmonds’ first involvement with the Trust over 50 years ago to the connection between the Tale of Peter Rabbit and the Trust. Another tale concerns the history of the Trust, but it would spoil the talk to give too much away!

Coast of East Anglia

The Trust owns many parts of the East Anglian coast and the adjoining countryside. As well as looking at the birds and scenery, the talk considers the historical importance of the sites. This fully illustrated talk can be altered to meet the wishes of the audience.

Coast of Essex

Essex is reputed to have the longest coastline of any English county! This fully illustrated talk looks at many aspects of the Essex coast with particular emphasis on National Trust properties. Natural history, authors, seaside resorts and boating are all featured.

National Trust in East Anglia

There are Trust properties throughout East Anglia. This talk looks at these places and can be adapted to meet the particular interest of the audience, be it history, gardens, the coast or famous authors.

History of the National Trust

Great oak trees grow from tiny acorns and this is certainly true of the National Trust. From its humble beginnings in 1895, the Trust has grown to have over four million members, 350 historic buildings, almost 750 miles of coast and getting on for a 1,000 square miles of countryside. This fully illustrated talk looks at how the National Trust has developed over the past 120+ years. It goes on to examine how the Trust has grown in Essex, before suggesting ways in which it might change in the future.

Hatfield Forest

The Forest is the only surviving medieval hunting forest and has much of interest to nature lovers and historians. Talks cover the history of the Forest, techniques of woodland management, the plants and animals to be found and the facilities for visitors. The talk can be combined with a guided walk in the Forest.

Scouts, Guides and the National Trust

There are many links between the National Trust and the Scouting and Guide movements. These go right back to the first Scout camp organised by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907 on Brownsea Island which is now owned by the Trust. These links continue today with a common desire to get children and young people off their computers and mobile phones and into the countryside to discover wildlife, new skills and crafts. This fully illustrated talk looks at these links and how they continue to develop.

Treasures of the National Trust

This fully illustrated talk looks at some of the treasures of the National Trust, starting with the founders back in 1895. Using seven different categories ranging from coast and country to great houses, the talk uses examples, especially from Essex, to examine the many and varied treasures of the Trust.

Thomas Hardy and the National Trust

Thomas Hardy is one of our most popular classical authors and poets. His birthplace and home for many years are both owned by the Trust, together with many of the places mentioned in his works. This illustrated talk looks at the author and the Trust.

Talks available in person and online

To enquire about any of these talks, please email the team at Hatfield Forest: hatfieldforest@nationaltrust.org.uk
Allen Burbidge

The Herveys of Ickworth

This presents the story of the family, from the first Hervey who married a local lass (Jane Dury) in 1253, to the 4th Marquess and his wife Theodora, from whom the house passed into the care of the National Trust. The talk is illustrated using slides of the paintings and objects in the Ickworth collection.

The Architecture of Ickworth

Focusing on the architecture of the palace, this is a story of Ickworth’s build, subsequent alterations and changes up to the year 2020. Principle characters involved in the story are mentioned, however, if your main interest is in family, the above talk on the Hervey’s maybe of further interest.

Talk available in person and online

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Celia Graham

Working Life at Ickworth House in 1930s

You've all seen the TV dramatization of life 'below stairs’; now learn about the lives of the real servants at Ickworth House in the 1930s. Gain insight into their duties, their interests, their relationships, and much more. Hear stories of the servants, taken from our extensive oral archive records, and begin to understand their world of hard work, ringing bells, and strict rules.

Talk available in person only

To enquire about any of these talks, please email the team at Ickworth: ickworth@nationaltrust.org.uk

Booking information

To enquire about a talk, or discuss one already booked, the contact email address for each place is listed with the speakers descriptions above. Please use the email link to contact our teams and they'll arrange for the speaker to discuss with you.

All our volunteers are great ambassadors for the work we are doing in the East of England, and the talks they offer help to promote our places and projects that they are passionate about. While we don't charge a fee for our talks, any donations we receive help support the places we care for. Donations, as well as the speakers travel expenses, will all be discussed prior to booking.

A close-up of a group of people enjoying a talk at Petworth, focused on a smiling visitor. — Invite a volunteer speaker to talk to your group about one of our places | © National Trust Images/David Levenson

North Talks Service

The volunteer talks service in the North of England offers a variety of illustrated National Trust themed presentations to local groups, clubs and organisations, all given by our experienced volunteer speakers. You can hear about past families, spooky tales of ancient properties, gardens and estates or find out more about the buildings, countryside and coastline we look after and how we care for them. For those who are further afield, we offer some online presentations.

Our speakers and their topics

Ormesby Hall and the Pennyman family

An introduction to one of North Yorkshire’s oldest and most influential families.

The National Trust in Northumbria

Discover the National Trust’s properties north of the Tees.

The National Trust in Yorkshire

A wander through Yorkshire with the National Trust.

Mount Grace Priory

Discover the only accessible Carthusian monastic site in the country, its reclusive monks and the links to a 19th-century industrial Titan and his family.
A Walk round Fountains Abbey

A tour of this world-famous Cistercian Abbey, looking at why, when and how it was established, a description of a monk’s life at the abbey, the purpose and use of the main areas and why, when and how it was closed.

A Walk round the Studley Royal 18th-century Water Gardens

The history of the gardens and the Aislabie family who created and designed them and how the gardens became a World Heritage Site. The talk also discusses scandals concerning the Aislabies. Later owners (1923–1966) the Vyner family, were close friends of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

A Walk round the Studley Royal Deer Park

The illustrated talk includes the beautiful Wm Burges designed 19th-century St Mary’s Church and its link with Christ the Consoler at Newby Hall; the story of Studley Royal and the fire which destroyed it; the deer and the Deer Park; taking in the Glacial Valley, the Lime Kiln and the Ice Houses.
The Rise, Fall and Rise again of Seaton Delaval Hall

The history of the Delaval family and the work done by the National Trust since taking over in 2009.

Seaton Delaval Hall – what’s new?

Focussing on the changes resulting from a four-year project, current work and plans for the future.

The Families of Wallington Hall

Development of the hall under the Fenwicks, Blacketts and Trevelyans.

Cragside

An overview of the house and gardens plus current information.

The Pleasure Gardens of Gibside

The development of the pleasure gardens under George Bowes; subsequent inheritance by Mary Eleanor Bowes and what happened next.

The National Trust in Northumbria

A travelogue around the region, regularly updated.
Wentworth Castle Gardens

The history of the house and its owners.

It started with a riot! The story of Fountains Abbey

The history of the Abbey from its creation to become one of the most powerful abbeys in England, then to its dissolution.

Conservation, Restoration and Maintenance at Fountains and Studley

Maintaining a World Heritage Site and keeping it in pristine condition.

East Riddlesden Hall

'Heavens to Murgatroyd': the history of the site and the 17th-century manor house, telling tales of the ambition, success and failure of those who lived and worked there.

Studley Royal and the Aislabies

The history of the site and owners, in particular John and William Aislabie who created the Water Gardens and how it ultimately became a World Heritage Site.
Please note that Glennis Whyte will be largely retiring from giving talks in 2025. Therefore, she is not taking any bookings for the second half of 2025. If you'd like a booking for before then, please contact us and Glennis will advise whether she can accomodate the talk.

The House built on Love and Chocolate

The property Goddards in York, the family home of Noel Terry (of Terry’s chocolates).

Treasurer’s House, York and the rise of the Green family

How the 19th-century ‘nouveau riche’ Green family rose in society, mixed with royalty but nearly lost their reputation and how eccentric Frank Green created Treasurer’s House.

Strange and Ghostly Tales of Treasurer’s House in York

Is Treasurer’s House really the most haunted house in York? Whatever your view, dare to hear the scary stories and creepy tales.

Stitches in Time

A spoken and illustrated 'sampler' of handwoven and sewn work in historic houses including carpets, embroidery, tapestry and other needlework.

Where Earth and Sky Meet

National Trust gardens in the York area – Treasurer's House, Goddards and Beningbrough Hall.

Elizabeth Montagu and the founding of the Bluestockings

An 18th-century woman challenged the idea that women should be seen and not heard. Hear about the creation and legacy of the Bluestocking Movement.
Saving our Heritage from Climate Change

The Skell Valley Project bears witness to the benefits of working with nature, controlling extreme river floods and empowering the local community, to make the valley landscape resilient to future weather extremes. This vital project showcases the National Trust as its best and safeguards the longevity for a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What Medieval Monks & Nuns didn’t want you to know

Discover what was found when Bishop’s representatives made visits to English Monasteries & Nunneries.

How Yorkshire Began

Find out in our history, how Yorkshire began and by whom.

Discover when, for the first time, the word 'Yorkshire' was written and why.

Fountains Abbey: from Simplicity, to Splendour, to Ruin

407 years of Cistercian life in a remote valley in Yorkshire which almost didn't happen.

The incredible story of poverty, to unimaginable wealth and status, then to lose it all!

Yorkshire’s Coastal Secret: Incredible but True

The beautiful Yorkshire coastline was scared for life with the birth of a new and unique industry never seen before in England!

Who Do We Think We Are?

Where did we come from as a population, our origins, our languages and customs as a British nation?

Further information

To organise a talk for your group, please note down the name of the speaker and talk you are interested in, and send an email with those details and your contact information to our talks service email address. Once submitted, our team will forward the email onto the speaker and they will get in touch with you directly to discuss dates, topics and practical arrangements. Please note that each speaker has a general travel distance they are willing to travel to give a talk. Most of our speakers are based in North Yorkshire and the North East, but please send us an enquiry and we can email you a helpful map which illustrates general travel distances.
Our volunteers are great ambassadors for the work we are doing in the North of England. The talks they offer help to support our conservation work in this part of the country and promote the projects that we’re passionate about.

We don’t charge a fixed fee for our talks, but instead, we welcome a donation in lieu which can be agreed with your speaker in advance. Please note: all financial rules covering registered charities will be adhered to.
Our speakers will provide a projector for showing their images, but may not have a screen. They will tell you what equipment you will need to provide at the talk venue. In turn, if your audience has particular requirements please discuss those in good time before the talk.

Our speakers will comply with whatever public health measures are in place at the time of the talk and are happy to discuss your preferences.