The Landmark Trust
The Landmark Trust is a conservation charity that rescues historic buildings at risk and gives them a new use as holiday accommodation. This podcast explores the charity’s work, the buildings it cares for, and the stories behind their restoration and preservation. Episodes offer a closer look at how heritage sites can be saved and enjoyed by visitors.
Episodes
The Landmark Chronicles: The Director's Story
For the past 14 years, Dr Anna Keay OBE has led the Landmark Trust as its Director. As her time here draws to a close and a new chapter begins, Anna joins her longtime colleague Dr Caroline Stanford to look back on the moments that have meant the most, the things she has learned along the way, and her lasting contribution to Landmark.
The Landmark Chronicles: The Historian's Story
For more than 25 years, Dr Caroline Stanford has been the Landmark Trust's in-house research historian, helping to uncover and interpret the stories behind our extraordinary buildings. In the latest episode of our podcast, Caroline reflects on the career path that led her to Landmark and explains why lifelong learning remains at the heart of her work and research today.
Bradford College at Calverley Old Hall: Community engagement during the Landmark Trust project
In October 2025, students from Bradford College studying the Level 3 Diploma (UAL) in Creative Media Production & Technology visited Calverley Old Hall to work on a live brief for The Landmark Trust. Inspired by the history of the site and its restoration project, the students collaborated to produce a series of five podcast episodes, developing their skills in research, interviewing, audio record
Bradford College at Calverley Old Hall: The development of the building through the ages
In October 2025, students from Bradford College studying the Level 3 Diploma (UAL) in Creative Media Production & Technology visited Calverley Old Hall to work on a live brief for The Landmark Trust. Inspired by the history of the site and its restoration project, the students collaborated to produce a series of five podcast episodes, developing their skills in research, interviewing, audio record
Bradford College at Calverley Old Hall: The Calverley family after 1550
In October 2025, students from Bradford College studying the Level 3 Diploma (UAL) in Creative Media Production & Technology visited Calverley Old Hall to work on a live brief for The Landmark Trust. Inspired by the history of the site and its restoration project, the students collaborated to produce a series of five podcast episodes, developing their skills in research, interviewing, audio record
Bradford College at Calverley Old Hall: The Calverley family before 1550
In October 2025, students from Bradford College studying the Level 3 Diploma (UAL) in Creative Media Production & Technology visited Calverley Old Hall to work on a live brief for The Landmark Trust. Inspired by the history of the site and its restoration project, the students collaborated to produce a series of five podcast episodes, developing their skills in research, interviewing, audio record
The Landmark Chronicles: Linda's Story
As one of Landmark's longest standing staff members, Linda Millard has worked at the heart of the organisation for 42 years. In this episode of the Landmark Chronicles, Linda takes us through five decades of the Landmark Trust, as the charity's many milestone moments interweave with the twists and turns of her own life.
The Landmark Chronicles: The Furnishing Manager's Story
In this episode, we meet former Furnishings Manager, John Evetts. Working with the Landmark Trust for almost 50 years from 1976 up to his retirement in 2024, John helped to define Landmark's distinctive interior style - furnishing more than 200 historic buildings during his time here.
The Landmark Chronicles: The Lundy Island Manager's Story
In this episode, we meet Lundy Island's Managing Director, Derek Green, and follow his extraordinary journey from Glasgow shipyard apprentice to managing a wildlife rich island in the Bristol Channel.
The Landmark Chronicles: The Housekeeper's Story
Wendy Sargeant has been a housekeeper for Landmark in Staffordshire for 25 years, first at Tixall Gatehouse and then at Ingestre Pavilion, where she works alongside her friend Sarah Winter-Wright. Here, Wendy tells us about her time with Landmark and what it takes to get a building ready for its next visitors.
The Landmark Chronicles: The Chairman's Story
In this episode we hear from Martin Drury CBE, who was on the board of Trustees of the Landmark Trust for 23 years between 1988 and 2012, including 13 years as Chairman. Beginning with his meeting with Landmark founder John Smith whilst working at the National Trust in the early 1970s, Martin takes us back to where it all began.
The Calverley Monologues
'It still feels like Grandma's house'
Sharon gives us her reaction to the newly repaired building, and reflects on her lasting connection to Calverley Old Hall.
How lucky we were
Sharon reflects on her experience of living in a building like Calverley Old Hall, and her irreplaceable memories.
Sharon's earliest memories of Calverley Old Hall
Sharon shares her lasting memories of the building.
Description of Mrs Bartle's cottage
Sharon describes her grandparents' cottage, including secret passageways and unknowingly sleeping in the painted chamber.
Quirky features of the cottages
Sharon remembers the quirky features of her grandparents' house, including a train set and a bath in the chapel!
Memories of the cottage
In July 2024, we were lucky enough to be able to record some short oral histories with local Calverley resident, Sharon Gott. Sharon's grandparents were long standing tenants at Calverley Old Hall, living in one of the cottages created within the section of the building now known as 'The Parlour Block', which we now know houses one of the most important Tudor painted schemes in the UK. Sharon's gr
Calverley Old Hall 1
Calverley Old Hall 2
Training at Calverley Old Hall
Calverley Old Hall and the Community
Reviving Calverley Old Hall
20th Century Life at Calverley Old Hall
The Calverley Family
Concealed Finds at Calverley Old Hall
Winsford_Cottage_Hospital_history_-_Caroline_Stanford
Woven Histories part 3
The textile industries are of particular importance to the social, political and financial history of the country and via our Landmarks it is possible to trace this history and tell the story of both the trades and crafts associated with it.
Woven Histories part 2
The textile industries are of particular importance to the social, political and financial history of the country and via our Landmarks it is possible to trace this history and tell the story of both the trades and crafts associated with it.
Woven Histories part 1
The textile industries are of particular importance to the social, political and financial history of the country and via our Landmarks it is possible to trace this history and tell the story of both the trades and crafts associated with it.
Woven Histories at Sunny Bank Mill
Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley (near Calverley Old Hall), keeps a nationally important archive of weaving machinery, fabrics and documents. Meet Curator Rachel Moaby and weaver Agnis Smallwood and discover more about how traditions are being kept alive.
In the spirit of Voysey
Furniture makers Alice Blogg and Alasdair Kilpatrick were both commisioned to make furniture for the community rooms at Winsford Cottage Hospital. Here they talk about following in the footsteps of the hospitals designer, CFA Voysey.
River House Trust at Woodsford Castle
Every year Landmark gives away 50 stays in our buildings to the beneficiaries of other charities. Here, Caroline Standford talks with Beverley Lord, a volunteer from River House Trust, a community based centre in Hammersmith for people living with HIV, and what their stay at Woodsford Castle meant to them.
The Quantity Surveyor
The mysteries of the quantity surveying are exposed in this one to one between Historian Caroline Stanford and Quantity Surveyor Adrian Stenning.
Landmark's Project Managers
Our propery surveyors and project managers reminisce about some of their favourite Landmark projects.
Lundy's Librarians
Caring for the books in Lundy's Landmarks involves some special challenges, as Lundy Librarian Michael Williams explains.
Landmark's Librarians
Well-stocked bookcases are an essential ingredient of a Landmark stay. Who looks after them? How are they chosen? Two of Landmark's Librarians, Ros Taylor and Elizabeth Jurd, talk books.
The Architect
Conservation architect Martin Stancliffe remininsces about Culloden Tower and its restoration in Landmark's early days.
Landmark's Regional Property Managers
Cy Neil and Marilyn Donohue reflect on their lives as Regional Property Managers caring for Landmark's buildings in Scotland and South West England.
Philip Gaches and sons Will & Jude
Will and Jude Gaches, both apprenticed to their father Philip, worked on our recent restoration of Cobham Dairy. Here they reflect on what drew them to learn decorative plastering as a traditional craft skill - and what it's like working for Dad.
Philip Gaches and Anna Castilla Villa
Master plasterers Philip and Anna, who both worked on Cobham Dairy, reflect on their different routes into their craft and the satisfactions of creating fine decorative plasterwork.
Anthem from the Old Parsonage
Joined Up singing at the Old Parsonage
Anthem from West Blockhouse
The Carmarthen Band plays at West Blockhouse.
Shake a Leg performed on Lundy
Shake a Leg performed on Lundy
Sir Alexander Boswell and the Last Duel in Scotland
The story unfolds in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fife. Two newly donated portraits prompt the telling of the tragic death in a duel of Alexander Boswell, son of the celebrated 18th-century diarist James Boswell of Auchinleck House.
North Argyll Carers at Saddell House
North Argyll Carers provide support for those acting as full time carers in and around Oban. A 50 for Free stay at Saddell House turned out to be a transformative respite for them, as Mairi, Joan and Kim explain here.
Mr Gilfils Love Story
A classic tale from George Eliot specially dramatised and performed for us by Sudden Impulse Theatre Company.
Hidden Landscapes
Some of our best kept secrets lay beneath our feet. Discover the ghostly remains of landscapes, whose traces tell stories of design genius, playful pastimes and even a place on the stage of rock and roll history.
French Lieutenants Woman read by Natash McElone
Actor and Landmark Ambassador Natascha McElhone reads a dramatic extract from John Fowles' famous novel The French Leiutenant's Woman, a work completed by Fowles when he lived at Belmont.
Action for Aspergers at Belmont
Every year Landmark gives away 50 free stays in our buildings to the beneficiaries of other charities. Here, Sonia and Robert, both diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, explain what staying at Belmont meant to them, hosted by their inspirational mentor Elaine Nicholson.
Morpeth Storytelling
Recorded at a Landmark Trust open day at Morpeth Castle, this audio clip captures the delight of visiting this building during our open days which we hold in collaboration with the Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering.
Sir Alexander Boswell & The Last Duel in Scotland
The story unfolds in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fife. Two newly donated portraits prompt the telling of the tragic death in a duel of Alexander Boswell, son of the celebrated 18th-century diarist James Boswell of Auchinleck House.
Dr James Fox at Dunshay Manor
Join Dr James Fox as he talks about the fascinating history of our newest Landmark property, Dunshay Manor in Dorset.
Tixall Gatehouse Angel by Liz Berry
West Midlands poet Liz Berry reads her poem 'Tixall Gatehouse Angel' from her Landmark Trust stay in Staffordshire.
Fairburn Tower
In this episode, Landmark Ambassador Kirsty Wark takes us through the incredible history and delicate future of the crumbling Fairburn Tower in Ross-shire, Scotland.
The First Lundy Marathon
In this episode, thanks to the BBC we are sharing an episode of Open Country, first broadcast on Radio 4. We invited David Lindo, presenter and nature enthusiast, and Helen Lennard, radio producer, to sail over to Lundy with us for its first-ever marathon. Hear some of the runners' motivations for tackling Lundy's compact but challenging terrain and listen to David as he joins Dean Jones, the wild
Coed y Bleiddiau's Past Residents
Landmark's Historian Caroline Stanford delves into the history behind the former residents of Coed y Bleiddiau, a tiny 19th-century cottage on the Ffestiniog Railway. Written and read by Caroline Stanford. Introduction read by Landmark Ambassador Dominic West.
Iron Bridge House in Ironbridge, Shropshire
This substantial house overlooks the spectacular Severn gorge. It sits right at the point where the world's first entire iron bridge was built. Iron Bridge House is an ideal base to explore the museums, sites and the beautiful landscape that provided the wood, ore and water of this cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Written by Caroline Stanford. Read by Will Brown.
