I am so delighted in this episode to be talking to Dr David Jacques and John Phibbs MBE. Both are independent landscape historians and experts on the development of the park at Knowsley Hall through the centuries, with particular emphasis on the work by Robert Adam and Capability Brown, who both worked for the 12th Earl of Derby. I also talk to Dr Clemency Fisher, who is an expert on Edward Lear and the 13th Earl of Derby and who curated the exhibition called ‘The Earl and the Pussycat’ at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool during 2002.

In this episode I am thrilled to be talking to two very dynamic colleagues from the University of East Anglia, both of whom are experts in Victorian politics and have specialised in the 14th and 15th Earls of Derby. They are Dr Geoffrey Hicks and Dr Jennifer Davey, and I was amused to hear from Jennie how the archive material for her book on Lady Mary Derby, was found in a tin trunk during an estate disco in the 1970s. This tin trunk had been left untouched for nearly eighty years and the contents were riveting.

One of the outstanding features of the Derby Collection, is the extensive collection of horse-racing trophies which were commissioned, collected and won by various Earls of Derby from the 10th Earl right down to the current Lord Derby, the 19th Earl. Of particular interest are three spectacular silver trophies which were commissioned in the mid-19th century by Lord Stanley, later the 14th Earl, who was Prime Minister three times during the 1850s and 1860s.

In this episode I am delighted to be talking to two fellow art historians Dr Richard Stephens, Editor of the Walpole Society Journal, and Dr Stephen Lloyd, former Senior Curator of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and now Curator of the Derby Collection of works of art, library and archive.

In this episode, I discuss with Professor Elspeth Graham and Dr Vanessa Wilkie the links our family had with travelling troupes of players like the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the Queen’s Men, and in particular Lord Strange’s Men (the Stanley family’s Barony of Strange - was the source of the courtesy title of the eldest son of the Earls of Derby at that period; it changed to Lord Stanley of Bickerstaffe later in the 18th century).

Read this new series of articles written by the 19th Countess of Derby, who reflects on the episodes of her six part series, which explores the story of the Stanley family and their ancestral seat Knowsley Hall

Planning on getting married? These are our favourite heritage locations for any forthcoming nuptials.

Meet some of Scotland’s oldest & proudest clans, explore their stories and the corridors of their great ancestral seats

Following on from the glorious coronation, view the vestments & items used during the ceremony in a new exhibition at Buckingham Palace this summer.

Come with us as we explore the many great historic houses of Ireland.

Discover the secret Stately Homes of London some of which you can visit this summer!

There are plenty of brilliant TV shows out at the moment, featuring some of the UK’s greatest heritage sites.

These three vlog series give new insights into life in Britain’s stately homes.

Discover some of the Midland’s finest heritage sites.

Read our roundup of the perfect heritage sites to take your dad to this Father’s Day

Learn about how estates across the UK are working hard to reduce their environmental footprint.

Discover the amazing work going on in Britain’s Stately Homes to protect & promote biodiversity and build a greener future.

Explore some of Scotland’s best kept secrets.

Learn about some of our favourite podcasts at the moment.

Discover some of the best kept secret gardens from across Britain.