Back When | History Podcast cover art

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.

Discover more from National Trust podcasts

Follow Wild Tales, our podcast for nature lovers:
podfollow.com/wild-tales

Listen to Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers, our kids' podcast:
podfollow.com/national-trust-kids-podcast

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
  • Grace Darling | An Unassuming Victorian Heroine

    Grace Darling | An Unassuming Victorian Heroine
    Mar 11 2026
    The Farne Islands are a group of 28 islands off the Northumberland coast in England’s Northeast. They are home to Atlantic grey seals and a breeding colony of sea birds, but they are also the former residence of a courageous, but very modest, Victorian heroine.
    Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter is just 22 years old when she embarks on a daring sea rescue in 1838.
    Grace’s bravery thrusts her into the limelight, bringing well-wishers and gifts from across the nation, but the attention leads to tragic consequences.
    In this, the last story of the series, join Helen Antrobus as she uncovers the tale of Grace’s epic sea rescue and resulting fame and learns more about this unassuming Victorian heroine.
    [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
    Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts
    Production:
    Hosts: Helen Antrobus
    Producer: Katy Kelly
    Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez
    Contributors:
    Andrew Lewis, Heritage Development Manager at the RNLI Grace Darling Museum
    Nick Lewis, Cultural Heritage for the National Trust on the Farne Islands
    Discover More:
    For information on the RNLI Grace Darling Museum:
    RNLI Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh
    Find out more about The Farne Islands:
    Farne Islands | Northumberland | National Trust

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

    Thanks for listening to and supporting Back When. This is the last story of the series. But if you love history and culture there is so much content at the National Trust, from our YouTube channel to great days out at your nearest heritage sites.

    We have other podcasts, listen to Wild Tales for intriguing nature stories from our weird, wonderful and utterly wild world. For little ears, there's our Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers kids' podcast, following the adventures of a crew of colourful creatures.
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Body Snatching | The Burke and Hare Murders

    Body Snatching | The Burke and Hare Murders
    Feb 25 2026

    Have you heard of the Burke and Hare murders?
    Sixteen people killed in under a year.
    Join Helen Antrobus as she explores one of history’s most notorious killing sprees, and its links to body snatching.

    [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: Helen Antrobus
    Producer: Claire Hickinbotham
    Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez

    Contributors
    With thanks to Susie Lennox Discovering A Darker Side To History | My Macabre Roadtrip

    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • Operation Hillside | Lifting the Official Secrets Act

    Operation Hillside | Lifting the Official Secrets Act
    Feb 11 2026
    Behind the grand exterior of Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire is a secret history, that lay hidden for decades.

    A chance encounter between a former British intelligence operative and a volunteer uncovered mysteries from inside a once top-secret headquarters.

    Discover the story of how in the 1940s Hughenden Manor became a secret base for the Air Ministry to produce target maps for RAF Bomber Command. And helped shape the outcome of WWII.

    A listener note, a version of this episode first aired on the National Trust Podcast in 2021.

    Production
    Host: James Grasby
    Producer: Sean Douglas
    Sound editor: Jesus Gomez

    Discover more
    Find out more about visiting Hughenden Manor:
    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/hughenden
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
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