The Country House Podcast

Our weekly Q&A featuring your questions!

A reminder to send your questions to [email protected]. 

Geoff and Rory are joined by Francis Terry who provides fascinating insights into designing new country houses today. 

Remember to send in your questions for our Q&A to [email protected]

In today's Q&A episode, Geoff and Rory answer another batch of your submitted questions. You can send them in to [email protected] for the chance to have yours answered!

In this episode Geoff quizzes Rory about the history, architecture and role of English Vicarages, Rectories and Clergy houses - and why they make such appealing homes.

Today we're joined by Ed Mansel Lewis on the second part of our Harvest Special, Ed joins us to discuss English Country House Vineyards. 

In today's Q&A episode, Ben puts your questions to Geoff and Rory. Do continue to send them in to [email protected]

Giles Godfrey from Keythorpe Hall in Leicestershire joins Geoff and Rory in the first part of a Harvest Special to discuss walled kitchen gardens. 

You can learn more about Keythorpe Hall at https://www.keythorpehall.co.uk/

Remember to send questions for our Q&A episodes to [email protected]

In this episode Rory teaches us about Villa La Rotonda just outside of Vicenza in Northern Italy. 

Remember to send your questions to [email protected]

In this second part of the Edinburgh Special celebrating the Fringe festival, Geoff and Rory discuss the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Remember to submit your questions to [email protected]

In this episode, Geoff and Rory commemorate the beginning of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Part 1 of 2 Edinburgh Specials, highlighting the famous Edinburgh Castle.

Reminder to send questions for the Q&A episode to [email protected]

In today's Q&A episode, Geoff and Rory answer your questions about the differences between Georgian Houses & other styles, as well as sharing recommended books - and more! Do send your questions in to [email protected]

Geoff and Rory are joined by Dr Ralph St Clair Wade to discuss the history and key features of Scots Baronial Architecture. A reminder to send your questions for our Q&A episode to [email protected]

Geoff and Rory answer your questions again! Send more in to [email protected] for us to answer them.

In the second part of the two-parter on Burghley House, Geoff and Rory chat about how Burghley House has seen continued success in modern times.

In today's Q&A we discuss another batch of your questions. We love them, keep sending them in to [email protected].

On today's episode, Geoff and Rory discuss the magnificent Burghley House in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Rory discusses the exterior and interior design whilst Geoff delves into the stories of the family. This is Part 1 of a 2-parter on Burghley House. Remember to send questions in for our Q&A episode through [email protected]

Our first Q&A/Correspondence episode. Don't forget to send questions for next week to [email protected]

In this one we talk about the house used in the Secret Garden, our must-haves for a country house, our favourite demolished houses, and more.

In today's episode, Geoff, Ben and Rory enjoy an imaginary trip to Greece to delve into Patrick Leigh Fermor's Mani House, a cultural powerhouse. This leads us on to discussing British expats. Submit a question to our Q&A episodes via [email protected]

We are joined by the curator of Goodwood, Clemmie de la Poer Beresford, who teaches us about the Duke & Duchess of Richmond, the house's history, and the modern festivals they host.

To celebrate 4th July with our American listeners, we've covered Winfield House in London, home to US Ambassadors since the mid 20th century. 

In this episode, Geoff, Ben and Rory chat about the Rothschild's larger than life Waddesdon Manor. With steeply-pitched roofs and ornate decoration, it is a taste of the Loire Valley in Buckinghamshire!

We are celebrating summertime with a conversation about one of the most famous gardens in the UK - Sissinghurst Gardens in Kent. 

Architectural historian and author of "Follies: An Architectural Journey" Rory Fraser joins us to go deeper on the subject of English follies. Expect to learn the earliest follies, the most eccentric follies, follies with dark secrets, and Rory's favourite follies. 

Find more of Rory's work below:
Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Follies-Architectural-Journey-Rory-Fraser/dp/1916197787
Documentary - https://watch.shelter.stream/follies
Website & Prints - https://rory-fraser.com/

Today Geoff and Ben discuss what life was like in the service wing. Expect to learn the average salary, the different roles, the steamy affairs, and much more!

Geoff and Ben discuss Basildon Park and its long, and rather sad, history being passed between multiple uncaring owners. There is a light at the end of the tunnel as Basildon in it's palladian glory was restored by the Iliffes.

Geoff and Ben discuss the Grand Tour of the 17th-19th century. Expect to learn the history of it, what it would entail, how it influenced the culture of the country house, and why it stopped being a tradition.

In today's episode, Geoff and Ben discuss the architecture and history of Balmoral Castle, near Aberdeenshire. This is the famous summer holiday home of the Royal Family built in the mid-1800s during Victoria & Albert's reign. 

Today we are joined by Wilf Lytton, an interior designer at Sybil Colefax. Together we discuss Kings Weston House, from it's unique chimney arcade, grand staircase, it's predecessor's Tudor Mansion to it's sad decline in popularity due to the industrial revolution.

In this episode we are joined by Carl Ross of Nevill Holt to discuss the history and culture of the quintessentially English Country House Opera festival.

You can get 15% off your Nevill Holt Festival ticket with the code CHP15 at https://nevillholtfestival.com/. Ts&Cs below!

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This offer begins on Tuesday 23rd April and will run for 2 weeks. Subject to availability and can be withdrawn at any time. Cannot be combined with other discounts or retrospectively. Excludes tickets to the 5pm Magic Flute performances, Ronnie Scotts performances, Elizabeth Day, Alice Robert, and Aggers/Tuffers.

Today we discuss another of Vanbrugh's works, Blenheim Palace, coined by Alexander Pope as the most inhospitable home in England.

In today's episode we discuss the life of Sir John Vanbrugh through his greatest works, a radical figure in theatre, design, politics and art. Sir John Vanbrugh's legacy is kept alive most notably by Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard.

In today's episode, Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss Sandringham House, a long-running Royal retreat. We discuss the criticisms of the estate, the joyful traditions, and the significance of the community's relationship with the house.

In this instalment of The Country House Podcast, hosts Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss how the politics and goings-on of the time influenced the architectural styles and designs of country houses. Much ground is covered, from the Norman conquest to William and Mary and beyond. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and make sure to follow us on Instagram.

Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss Highgrove House, the country residence of Their Majesties King Charles & Queen Camilla. All aspects of their home are discussed from the rustic garden temples to the chintzy interiors. 

Andrea Palladio's influence is possibly unmatched in the history of architecture. Ben, Geoff, and Conor discuss what Palladian architecture is and why it became fashionable in many country house designs.

In today's episode we discuss the beloved family home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert - Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. A testament to Prince Albert's innovation and Thomas Cubitt's famous building mind. 

In this episode, Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss what follies are, their purpose, and some of their favourite follies. If you haven't already, we'd love if you could leave a 5-star rating and share with a friend. 

In part 2 of 2, we ask why Country Houses provide such an amazing location for films, and the storytelling that they proffer. 

In this first part of a two-part episode, Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss Highclere Castle in the broader context of Country Houses featured in films and television shows. 

In today's episode we find ourselves discussing the unique aspects of the Irish Country House, from quoins to rich colours, exterior ruggedness to Desmond Guinness. 

In this episode, Geoff, Conor and Ben discuss the privately-owned estate villages. 

Geoff, Conor, and Ben discuss the decline and destruction of country houses - primarily during the 20th century.  *Our apologies for Ben's poor audio on this episode and previous - this has now been resolved for all future episodes!*

Today we discuss Norfolk's Blickling Hall. From Dutch Gables to ghastly ghouls, Jacobean design to a 9-year old owner, fairytale ceilings...there is so much to learn about this magnificent home. 

Continuing from the previous episode, we take a step inside general country houses of the past - noting that no two are the same - to discuss the main rooms and layout, and the intention or purpose behind them. 

In this episode, we delve somewhat into what you can expect to find on a country estate. There is so much and so we primarily cover gate lodges, serpentine lakes, and follies. We will return to the subject with more in the future. We all hope you've had a very happy Christmas and wish you all the best for 2024.

We're joined for this special Christmas episode by The Duchess of Rutland, Emma Manners, who explains the experience of running an estate at Christmas time. Belvoir Castle has teamed with Charlotte Lloyd-Webber to bring the theme of the '12 Days of Christmas' for visitors to enjoy.

In today's episode, we delve into the rich history of Wentworth Woodhouse, the longest country home in Europe and the original home of George Stubbs' famous painting 'Whistlejacket.' 

In this episode we take a tour across the Country House architectural periods and give a rundown and examples of each one. This week is part 2 of 2 and includes everything from Baroque to the Arts & Crafts movement, concluding with thoughts about the present day.

In this episode we take a tour across the Country House architectural periods and give a rundown and examples of each one. This week is part 1 of 2 and includes the earliest forms of country houses and ends at the Carolean stylistic period.

Join us for the very first episode of The Country House Podcast. We discuss what got us all interested in country houses, what people misunderstand about country houses, and what you can expect from the podcast moving forward. 

Follow The Country House Podcast as well as Geoff, Conor, and Ben on social media.

The Country House Podcast episodes are released every Tuesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more. YouTube's release time is 4pm UK time, audio release is 5am UK time.

If you have any suggestions for topics or guests, as well as sponsorship enquiries, connect with us via [email protected]