National Trust Audio Magazine – Details, episodes & analysis

Spring 2025 audio edition highlights 
The latest issue of National Trust Magazine has landed and, as always, it’s packed full of fascinating stories and updates from across the Trust. 

This spring we’re taking a look at the work that’s been going on at Trust places to restore the health of the UK’s rivers, while comedian and art-lover Sandi Toksvig introduces a new book celebrating women artists and designers. Listeners can also learn how the Trust is recreating the Japanese festival of Hanami at Kingston Lacy in Dorset and take a tour of Henrietta Bankes’ interpretation of a Japanese garden.

Meanwhile there are plenty of ways to make the most of your membership this spring, from World Book Day events to seasonal blossom walks - plus news stories to keep you up to date with all the work you’re supporting. 

You can listen to individual articles at these timecodes: 
00:00:00 Introduction and Editor’s Letter 
00:01:37 News from around the Trust
00:07:37 From the Director General
00:11:38 National Trust AGM Report 2024
00:17:37 Henrietta’s Garden
00:28:04 From Source to Sea
00:45:54 Women Artists and Designers at the National Trust
01:02:34 When Old Meets Bold
01:02:05 Out and About
01:15:28 Credits
 
To listen to more podcasts from the National Trust, go to:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts

Members of the Trust receive the print magazine free of charge. Full of behind-the-scenes stories and beautiful photography, we hope it will inspire you with all there is to discover and be part of with the National Trust. To find out more about membership go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us 

Heritage sites like the medieval palace Bayt Al Razzaz in Egypt and the picturesque Blickling estate in the UK, are under threat from climate change.

What connects these vastly different places? And what can the guardians of these historic treasures learn from each other as they battle extreme weather, social upheaval and other challenges?

Discover the global fight to protect our heritage. 

Search for National Trust Podcast on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/NTP   
Or visit our website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts

Production
Host: James Grasby and Jesse Edbrooke
Producers: Jesse Edbrooke
Sound Design: Jesus Gomez

Further Information
INTO - The International National Trusts Organisation
https://www.into.org/

Withstanding Climate Change
https://www.into.org/withstanding-change-project/

Blickling and Bayt Al Razzaz in partnership
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blickling-estate/blickling-estate-twins-with-bayt-al-razzaz-in-cairo

If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk   

We hope the summer issue of National Trust Magazine will fill you with the joys of summer as our gardens start to bloom.

Take a tour of 20 Forthlin Road with Mike McCartney who grew up here with his brother Paul. Mike shares his memories in an intimate look at the early days of the Beatles.

We’ll also reflect on the many Trust places which have hosted royalty over the centuries, and highlight some of the 70 tree-planting projects being planned this year to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Finally, explore the sounds and scents of the magical Glendurgan garden with volunteer Andrew Hesser, who is registered blind.

You can listen to individual articles at these timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Editor’s Letter
00:01:01 - News from around the Trust
00:06:50 - From the Director General
00:10:19 - Meet the new Chair
00:16:11 - A royal visit
00:28:06 - 20 Forthlin Road
00:44:12 - Yes, we scan
00:53:14 - Silent witnesses
01:00:41 - A fresh perspective
01:08:15 - Meet James Brown
01:12:07 - What's on
01:15:23 - Credits

To listen to more podcasts from the National Trust, go to:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts

Members of the Trust receive the print magazine free of charge. Full of behind the scenes stories and beautiful photography, we hope it will inspire you with all there is to discover and be part of with the National Trust. To find out more about membership go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us

We hope the spring issue of National Trust Magazine will lift your spirits and fill you with inspiration as we begin the New Year. Our cover feature explores the remarkable story of world-famous children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, and her journey from a stifling Victorian London upbringing to become a passionate Lake District conservationist.   Elsewhere, we’re raising the curtain on Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland, where a £7.8m project to restore the mansion and bring back the theatricality of its past is reaching its conclusion.

Where ever you are this spring, revel in the delights of blossom. Swathes of newly planted trees will flower for the first time this year, thanks to a Trust initiative to bring the joy of blossom to as many people as possible.
Share your photos online as they start to bloom using #BlossomWatch 

You can listen to individual articles at these timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Editor’s Letter
00:01:17 - News from around the Trust
00:08:24 - National Trust AGM Report 2021
00:15:18 - From the Director General
00:19:57 - Beatrix - Beyond the Books
00:33:11 - Welcome to the House of Fun
00:45:00 - #BlossomWatch
00:52:00 - Hands-on History
00:57:54 - An Object I Love
01:02:27 - Meet Nabil Abbas
01:06:03 - What's On - Events & Exhibitions, Outdoor
01:09:49 - Credits

To listen to more podcasts from the National Trust, go to:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts

Members of the Trust receive the print magazine free of charge. Full of behind the scenes stories and beautiful photography, we hope it will inspire you with all there is to discover and be part of with the National Trust. To find out more about membership go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us

The autumn audio edition of National Trust Magazine brings together all that makes the season special with the Trust. We hope it will inspire you to head outdoors and take joy from the beautiful colours and bright frosty days, or to snuggle up at home with a seasonal recipe and a good book.

Autumn is a magical time to explore woodlands. Bushcraft expert Ray Mears shares his special lifelong connection with forests, and why we need to look after them for future generations to enjoy.

Elsewhere, you can find out how the Trust is joining the global fight against climate change and hear from four Trust curators who share insights into their favourite artworks from a new book, 100 Paintings from the Collections of the National Trust, which brings together the best of the Trust’s world-class collection.

You can listen to individual articles at these timecodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Editor's Letter
00:01:07 - News From Around The Trust
00:07:23 – From The Director General
00:11:36 – The Power of Trees - Ray Mears
00:23:35 – Taking Action - Patrick Begg
00:36:01 – Treasured Paintings - John Chu + various
00:48:03 – Friends of the National Trust
00:57:03 - From You - including Why I volunteer
01:02:51 – My Membership and Me
01:06:03 - What’s On - Events & Exhibitions, Outdoor
01:11:12 – Meet Felicity Roos
01:14:40 - Credits

To listen to more podcasts from the National Trust, go to:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts

Members of the Trust receive the print magazine free of charge. Full of behind the scenes stories and beautiful photography, we hope it will inspire you with all there is to discover and be part of with the National Trust. To find out more about membership go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us

We hope the summer issue of National Trust Magazine will inspire you to enjoy all that summer has to offer across the Trust. First we’re escaping into a garden with Rebecca Bevan, author of new Trust book ‘School of Gardening’, who explains how to identify the spirit of a garden and bring it to life in your own space. We also share how some of the Trust’s smaller properties are welcoming visitors back slightly differently following the pandemic and explore how a former golf course is becoming a rich space for people and nature at the Trust’s first stretch of coast in Lincolnshire.

You can listen to individual articles at these timecodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Editor's Letter
00:01:13 - News From Around The Trust
00:09:31 – From The Director General 
00:13:43 – Escape into a Garden
00:31:23 – Escaping into Nature
00:38:01 – A Generous Gift
00:43:29 – Small Wonders
00:51:06 - Sandilands
00:59:48 – An Object I Love
01:04:03 - From You – including Why I volunteer
01:09:08 – What’s On - Events & Heritage Open Days
01:13:17 - Credits

To listen to more podcasts from the National Trust, go to:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts

Members of the Trust receive the print magazine free of charge. Full of behind the scenes stories and beautiful photography, we hope it will inspire you with all there is to discover and be part of with the National Trust. To find out more about membership go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us

We hope the spring issue of the National Trust Magazine will inspire you to enjoy all that the season has to offer across the Trust. 
We start by celebrating the beauty of blossom and share how a new project aims to plant circles of blossoming trees across the country. Hear the stories behind five special objects in the Trust’s collections which feature in a new book, discover how 20th-century Castle Drogo in Devon has finally been made watertight for the first time, and be inspired to grow your own herbs in our food feature ‘A pinch of magic’. 

You can listen to individual articles at these timecodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Editor's Letter
00:01:28 - News From Around The Trust
00:07:05 – Member Broadcast
00:08:59 - From The Director General
00:13:34 – Blossom Season
00:24:10 – A Destiny Fulfilled
00:33:57 – Meet Katie Archer
00:37:38 – From the Trust’s Collections
00:47:53 - A Brief History of the Handbook
00:53:39 – A Pinch of Magic
00:59:15 - From You – including Why I volunteer
01:04:45 – My Membership and Me
01:07:00 – What’s On
01:11:41 - Credits

To listen to more podcasts from the National Trust, go to:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts
 
Members of the Trust receive the print magazine free of charge. Full of behind the scenes stories and beautiful photography, we hope it will inspire you with all there is to discover and be part of with the National Trust. To find out more about membership go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us

After a summer like no other, this ‘welcoming you back’ issue takes readers behind the scenes to discover what’s been happening at the Trust over the past few months, including caring for places and making them ready for your return. 

Discover how members spent their time in lockdown and share in special moments from first visits back to Trust places. Explore seasonal harvest traditions, autumnal every day nature, and how a pair of beavers is changing the river habitat at Holnicote for the better.

You can listen to individual articles at these timecodes:   00:00:00 - Introduction and Editor's Letter 00:03:56 - Welcoming You Back 00:19:02 - News From Around The Trust 00:22:58 - From The Director General 00:27:03 - National Trust AGM Report 2020 00:29:40 - Everyone Welcome 00:34:49 - An Object I Love l00:38:51 - Everyday Nature 00:46:23 - A Portrait of The National Trust 00:58:10 - Feasting on Folklore 01:05:03 - From You 01:10:31 - Credits
Look out for new episodes of this podcast in January, May and September. We’d love to hear your thoughts about it. Please email your feedback to: magazine@nationaltrust.org.uk

To listen to more podcasts from the National Trust, go to:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts   Members of the Trust receive the print magazine free of charge. Full of behind the scenes stories and beautiful photography, we hope it will inspire you with all there is to discover and be part of with the National Trust. To find out more about membership go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us

While we're all in lockdown, we're delighted to be able to bring you your summer audio edition of National Trust Magazine. We hope it brings back happy memories of your past visits and reminds you of all the wonderful places we're keeping safe for you for when you're able to return.
 
The summer issue is a particularly special one, as it's a 'reader takeover'. Every feature has been written or suggested by a member as an extra 'thank you' for your support in our 125th anniversary year.
 
Discover what it's really like to live in a Trust house. Explore our members' favourite 'hidden gems' - some of the smaller, local places that touch their hearts and join a member on a memorable walk on the South West Coast Path with a Trust ranger. Of course, all visits were conducted before the current lockdown began.
 
We also bring you a special message from The President of the National Trust, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and another from Director-General Hilary McGrady. We hope you enjoy it. 

You can listen to individual articles at these timecodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Director General’s Letter 00:04:02 - Forward from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales 00:08:56 - From You   00:14:49 – Hidden Gems  00:31:37 – Conservation Conversations  00:44:24 – No Place Like Home  00:54:09 – An Object I Love 00:58:16 – Connected Lives 01:06:41 – News 01:11:41 – Credits 
Look out for new episodes of this podcast in September, January and May. We’d love to hear your thoughts about it. Please email your feedback to: magazine@nationaltrust.org.uk

To listen to more podcasts from the National Trust, go to:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts   Members of the Trust receive the print magazine free of charge. Full of behind the scenes stories and beautiful photography, we hope it will inspire you with all there is to discover and be part of with the National Trust. To find out more about membership go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us

The spring issue is a special anniversary edition of the magazine as the Trust celebrates 125 years of looking after beautiful, natural and historic places for the nation. Discover the three remarkable people who together formed the National Trust, and hear from staff, volunteers and members about how spending time in nature helps uplift and inspire them. 

Find out how contemporary art installations are temporarily transforming Ickworth in Suffolk as part of £5 million conservation project ‘Ickworth Uncovered’, hear from the Trust’s National Specialist for Climate Change about how the Trust is rising to the challenge of a changing climate at the places we care for, and learn how a microscope changed the life of 18 year-old Mary Ward of Castle Ward in County Down.

You can listen to individual articles at these timecodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Editor's Letter
00:15:21 - Nature Connection and Wellbeing
00:30:59 - Founding a Future
00:46:57 - Climate Change
00:53:13 - Ickworth Uncovered
01:02:28 - An Object I Love - interview
01:06:55 - From You
01:10:22 - What's On
01:13:50 - Credits

Look out for new episodes of this podcast in May, September and January. We’d love to hear your thoughts about it. Please email your feedback to: magazine@nationaltrust.org.uk

To listen to more podcasts from the National Trust, go to:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts   Members of the Trust receive the print magazine free of charge. Full of behind the scenes stories and beautiful photography, we hope it will inspire you with all there is to discover and be part of with the National Trust. To find out more about membership go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us