Jul 2, 2026
Benjamin Franklin – Founding Father, writer, inventor – remains one of the most famous visitors to Hillsborough Castle in its history. His visit to his political foe, Wills Hill, 1st Earl of Hillsborough, in 1771 offers an unexpected link to the history of US independence.
The two men were so completely opposed that...
Jun 25, 2026
In the Declaration of Independence, signed on 4th July 1776, King George III is cast as a ‘tyrant’. How fair is this representation?
In this episode, Kew Palace curator Polly Putnam is joined by Dr Rachel Herrmann, Senior Lecturer in Modern American History at Cardiff University, and Dr Robin Eagles, Editor at the...
Jun 18, 2026
LGBTQ+ people have always existed in the history of our palaces, but stories of this community are often obscured or misunderstood. We’ve delved into the archive to bring you this special episode for Pride Month, re-connecting with stories from the LGBTQ+ community.
When we explore queer histories, we gain a much...
Jun 11, 2026
In 1533, the Boleyns seemed to have it all. Anne Boleyn was Queen, and her family were reaping the rewards of Henry VIII’s favour. But it was not to last.
Within three years, each member of the faction was fighting for survival as their power evaporated.
In this second episode of a two-part series on the Rise and...
Jun 4, 2026
The Boleyn family captivated Henry VIII – but who were they before their meteoric rise to fame? Who were the little-known women operating from Hever Castle? And was Anne's father the schemer he’s made out to be?
In this first episode of a new series on the Rise and Fall of the Boleyns, Chief Historian Tracy Borman...