Duchess

About the show

Welcome to Duchess – the podcast where the Duchess of Rutland explores the historic homes of Great Britain, and meets the inspiring women who lead them today. Have you ever watched Bridgerton, The Crown or Downton Abbey and wondered what it’s really like to be a Duchess? If so, this is the podcast for you. Stately homes are manors, palaces, and castles of great historic significance. They were built by the finest architects, adorned with the finest treasures and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. They homed the most powerful families and, with their wealth and social pedigree, shaped the world we live in today. Emma grew up far away from the aristocracy but her life changed forever when she married her husband – the 11th Duke of Rutland – and moved into Belvoir Castle. At once Emma became both a Duchess and custodian of one of Britain’s most important buildings. The Duchess wanted to learn more about this world, these homes, and the other empowering women who, just like her, work tirelessly to ensure they see tomorrow. In this podcast the Duchess will travel to breathtaking homes, learn the epic tales of their construction, meet the historic figures that walked their halls, hear chilling ghost stories and the heartbreaking tales of romance. All of this whilst getting to know the inspiring, powerful women that work to find the delicate balance between preservation and transformation. Join Emma on a very special journey. This is Duchess, the podcast.

Hidden Heritage

Welcome to Hidden Heritage – the podcast that brings you inside Great Britain’s favourite destinations with help from custodians, historians, artisans and experts.
From the same team that brought you the No.1 History podcast Duchess, Hidden Heritage uncovers the fascinating stories behind the UK brightest hidden gems. With the help from the biggest voices within British heritage, Hidden Heritage will explore some of the key challenges facing national heritage today and how they can be addressed.
Hosted by Lady Violet Manners, founder of HeritageX and Executive Producer of the hit podcast Duchess, this podcast shares the untold & unique stories that celebrate UK heritage. From landmarks to architecture, artefacts to myths & legends, Hidden Heritage will highlight a side to British history you have never seen before.
This is Hidden Heritage.

Welcome to Hidden Heritage! In this episode, Lady Violet Manners is joined by Bernard Donoghue, CEO and Director of ALVA (Association of Leading Visitor Attractions). Bernard shares his insights into the UK’s heritage sector, the challenges it faces, and his vision for its future.Join us as we explore:

Bernard’s journey from a childhood fascination with history to becoming a leading figure in the heritage sector
The role of ALVA in advocating for and supporting the UK’s most significant cultural and heritage sites
The impact of recent global events on the heritage sector and strategies for recovery
Bernard’s top three destination recommendations for heritage enthusiasts

Key Points

00:00:05 – Introduction of Bernard Donoghue and his background
00:01:28 – Bernard’s early career and passion for heritage
00:03:34 – The definition and importance of heritage in the UK
00:05:01 – Bernard’s experience at Visit Britain and the significance of tourism to the UK economy
00:07:25 – The role of film and TV in promoting heritage sites
00:10:37 – Bernard’s first destination recommendation: Waddesdon Manor
00:15:02 – Discussion on the challenges facing the heritage sector post-pandemic
00:18:01 – Innovative approaches by heritage sites to attract visitors
00:24:17 – Bernard’s second destination recommendation: Charleston
00:32:00 – The impact of technology on heritage experiences
00:41:21 – Bernard’s vision for the future of heritage in the UK
00:54:20 – Bernard’s third destination recommendation: Bristol Old Vic Theatre

Guest Info

Bernard Donoghue

is the CEO and Director of ALVA (Association of Leading Visitor Attractions). He has a long-standing career in tourism and heritage, including roles at Visit Britain and as the Mayor of London’s Ambassador for Cultural Tourism. Bernard was awarded an OBE in 2022 for services to tourism and culture.

About

Step inside Britain’s greatest Historic Houses, gardens, and family homes through HeritageXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visitwww.heritagexplore.com