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Back When | History Podcast

Back When | History Podcast

By: National Trust
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About this listen

 Imagine being a fly on the wall of history.

Historians Helen Antrobus and James Grasby take you inside the stories of the people, places and moments that made us.

Experience the Great Stink of London. Make an entrance onto the Georgian dating scene. Find out if you'd survive a medieval battle and unlock the secrets of Britain’s space race.

Our past is all around us. And we'll be transporting you behind the scenes at landmarks from castles to dance halls and WWII bunkers to workhouses. You’ll meet people from all walks of life whose fascinating stories have shaped who we are now.

Lean in for a tale from time: Back When.

You'll get a new story every fortnight. Follow Back When on your favourite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

This podcast is made by the National Trust, Europe’s biggest conservation charity. Looking after history, nature and beauty for everyone to enjoy.

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See videos of the National Trust Podcast on Youtube:
www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts

Get in touch with feedback and ideas for stories you'd like to hear:
podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk National Trust World
Episodes
  • The Workhouse | One Step Up From Prison?

    The Workhouse | One Step Up From Prison?
    Jan 28 2026

    What was life like at The Workhouse?

    Join James Grasby as he becomes an inmate and tours an atmospheric Workhouse building in Nottinghamshire.

    With its bare walls and floors, cast iron beds, and the hollering voices of costumed re-enactors, a visit to the Southwell Workhouse is a sobering experience.

    [Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos.
    Start creating your story at     www.cewe.co.uk

    Production
    Host: James Grasby
    Producer: Claire Hickinbotham
    Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez

    Contributors
    With thanks to the staff and volunteers at The Workhouse and Infirmary and Steven King | Nottingham Trent University

    Discover more
    Find out more about the history of The Workhouse and Infirmary www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/the-workhouse-and-infirmary

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    25 mins
  • Beatles Backstage | The Bedrooms Where Rock History was Made

    Beatles Backstage | The Bedrooms Where Rock History was Made
    Jan 14 2026
    In Liverpool in the 1950s two teenagers began writing music in their bedrooms. They went on to provide the soundtrack to the 1960s and change the face of popular culture forever.


    They were Paul McCartney and John Lennon and their four-piece rock and roll band was of course The Beatles.

    Join Curator James Grasby to unlock the iconic group’s origin story.

    How do humble acts of creativity at home lead to great things? To find out, we’re behind the scenes at the childhood homes of Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon at Forthlin Road and Mendips in Liverpool. Here, Paul and John grew up, fell in love with music and wrote The Beatles’ first hits.

    A note for listeners, a version of this episode first aired on the National Trust Podcast in 2019.

    [Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos.
    Start creating your story at www.cewe.co.uk

    Production:
    Host: James Grasby
    Producer: Sean Douglas

    Discover More:
    Discover more: Find out about tours to the Beatles’ Childhood Homes, cared for by the National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/the-beatles-childhood-homes

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    24 mins
  • World Heritage Heroes: Petra, Kingston Lacy and the Next Generation

    World Heritage Heroes: Petra, Kingston Lacy and the Next Generation
    Dec 17 2025
    In this bonus episode, discover how Kingston Lacy, a grand 17th-century Italianate country house and expansive estate in Dorset is connected with one of the ancient wonders of the world: the city of Petra in Jordan. Join James Grasby, as we meet the people working tirelessly to protect and rehabilitate heritage in the face of immense challenges, including climate change.

    From the rose-red stones of Petra to William Bankes’ passion for exploration at Kingston Lacy, to the UNESCO city As Salt, and the leafy Oxfordshire countryside, we go behind the scenes with the quiet heroes who safeguard our shared past and carry it forward for future generations.

    INTO’s Withstanding Change project connected teams from Petra National Trust (PNT) and the National Trust’s Buscot and Coleshill Estate and earlier this year, they met face to face. Hear about the collaboration which helped them to reach their respective communities through cultural and heritage skills education.

    We’re taking a few weeks off over the festive period and will be back in the new year with our usual Back When episodes.

    [Ad] This episode was brought to you by the International National Trusts Organisation, also known as INTO. INTO is a global network which brings together heritage organisations from all across the world, working collectively to protect and celebrate cultural and natural heritage. www.into.org

    This recording was made possible through INTO’s Withstanding Change project which has been funded by the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund. The project helps communities and places adapt to climate change through restoring and safeguarding heritage. Learn more: https://cultural-protection-fund.britishcouncil.org

    Producer: Jesse Edbrooke
    Presenter: James Grasby
    Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez

    Discover More:

    Read more about Petra, As-Salt and the Petra National Trust by clicking the following link: https://petranationaltrust.org

    Read more about Kingston Lacey here:
    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy

    Read more about Coleshill and Buscott and the heritage skills centre here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/heritage-and-rural-skills-centre

    The National Trust cares for places so people and nature can thrive. Everyone can get involved, everyone can make a difference. Nature, beauty, history. For everyone, for ever. You can donate to us at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/donate

    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story idea, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk
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    23 mins
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