Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

Wembley Stadium | Football's Perfect Pitch

11 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup gets underway, we're heading to Wembley Stadium, the home of the England national team, to explore the crucial role ...

European Brown Bears | Where are you?

27 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Deep in the forests of Transylvania, one of Europe’s largest populations of brown bears still roams freely, often surprisingly close to busy towns a...

Operation Nutcracker | The Return of the Red Squirrel

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Red Squirrels were once a common sight in woodlands around the Uk but now, they’re one of our rarest Mammals.  In this episode of Wild Tales, we h...

Crayfish Gladiator Battle

29 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

White-clawed crayfish were once common in Britain’s waterways. But thanks to a restaurant craze in the 1970’s, that brought the American signal c...

The Dinosaur in the Cliff

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ever hunted for fossils on a beach and felt like you might actually find something? Rosie heads to the Isle of Wight to the scene of the most comple...

Toad Patrol | The Perilous Path

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As winter turns to spring , toads, frogs and newts across Britain begin their annual journey, making their way back to the ponds where they breed.For...

Finding the Tundra Swan

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Bewick’s or ‘Tundra’ swan has eluded ranger Ajay Tegala for years.  It's hardly surprising: the swan’s epic migration is under pressure, ...

You Might Like: Nature Fix | Stargazing in the City

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re sharing another of our podcasts we think you’ll enjoy. Nature Fix takes you on adventures with people whose lives have been shaped...

The Island of Secret Seals

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Orford Ness is well practiced at keeping secrets; in the 1940s it was classified military research, but now it is a brand new colony of grey seals. ...

Pine Martens’ Return

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pine martens were once common in Britain but now, they're one of our rarest carnivores.  These slinky, tree-dwelling predators had virtually disappea...

Arctic Terns | Globetrotting Dive-bombers

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Farne Islands in the North Sea, off the coast of Northumberland, have a very special species of seabird during the summer that fiercely protects ...

The Man, The Book and The Mountains

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

 Just outside Belfast, lie the Mourne Mountains - a land of granite peaks and wide skies, but also a place of witches, fawns and lions.  Protected ...

The Climbers of Eryri | A Story of Ice and Flowers

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The rock faces of Cwm Idwal are cold, dark and uninhabitable; unless what you love is to dangle off the frozen cliffs. Ice climbing takes you into a w...

A Robin is not just for Christmas

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the festive season unfolds, one familiar face keeps appearing – the little robin. But behind its cheerful presence, is there more to this charmi...

Golf Course to Nature Reserve | Just Add Water?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How can a golf course become a place for nature and people to thrive? Ajay Tegala visits Sandilands in Lincolnshire over its first year as the once ma...

Warrior the War Horse | Survival Against the Odds

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happened to the animals who served in the First World War?  Uncover the extraordinary story of Warrior the war horse who survived the Western ...

Halloween Special | Witches' Familiars

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is your cat the devil in disguise? Probably not, although they may act like it sometimes! But once upon a time, they would have been accused of luring...

Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers | New Series Trailer

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new series of Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers is here. Awooo!   Follow the adventures of Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers, a crew of colourful creatures...

Nature Valley, Taiwan | Technology and the Wild

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Taiwan is known for its technology — from the chips that power our phones to the satellites orbiting above us, but just beyond the city of Hsinchu, ...

Sex, Death and Spiders

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Warning: This episode contains the unusual mating habits of spiders.  Autumn is the time for spiders, and the colder months mean our eight-legged fri...

Riverside Reflections | The Wey Navigations by Boat

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join producer and barge dweller Marnie as she leaves London’s canals behind to explore the Wey Navigations.  Along the way, she meets the people wh...

The Overview Effect with Luke Jerram and Tim Peake

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On 20th July 1969 the world watched as humans first set foot on the Moon. More than half a century on, the view of Earth from space has given rise to ...

Plant Hunters | A Botanical Quest Down Under

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In 2018 a team of intrepid explorers came in to the possession of a treasure map - one which would see them venture half way around the world to the A...

Clowns of the Sea | The Colourful Lives of Puffins

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On 10th August 1925 the Farne Islands came into the care of the National Trust. A hundred years on and this wildlife haven off the coast of Northumber...

The Return of the Eagle

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The UK’s largest bird of prey is making a comeback.  It’s now possible to spot white-tailed eagles, or sea eagles, as they’re also known, in ma...

Screaming Swifts | Living Life on the Fly

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every summer, swifts return to our skies, screaming overhead in joyful, acrobatic flight. But behind their spectacular aerial displays lies a stark re...

Bioluminescent Bay Watch | Strange Things Light Up the Ocean

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bioluminescent tides are often described as the northern lights of the ocean.   Marine biologist, Dr Yasmin Meeda, has only witnessed this natural ...

The Queer Life of a Cockchafer

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How did two beetles cause a gay panic?  There's much more to a cockchafer or ‘maybug’ than meets the eye.  Join ecologist, Connor Butler, to fin...

Chris Packham | Spring, Birding and Pied Flycatchers

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wild Talk: In this bonus episode Ajay chats with wildlife legend Chris Packham about their shared love of birds.  After 3 weeks of filming Springwat...

Green Therapy | The Healing Power of Gardens

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There’s not a lot better than getting out in nature and it’s something Linda Stuart realised 40 years ago.  She visits Packwood House and Garden...

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pet Craze

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the 1980s and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has burst onto the scene, scoring millions of young fans.   Half-human, half-turtle...

Remembering Sycamore Gap

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On September 27th 2023, the famous Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland was felled overnight in an act of vandalism, triggering a far-reaching wave of ...

Bird Accents | Saving Urban Birdsong

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When Ajay Tegala discovers that chaffinches, a small songbird, have a different accent every 30 miles, he’s intrigued.  However, under threat from ...

Pteridomania | When Fern Frenzy Swept the UK

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the mid-1800s and pteridomania – or fern frenzy – is the new big craze.   Across the UK, plant enthusiasts are heading into the countrysid...

Dolphin Social Networks | Mothers, Besties and Bodyguards

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Beneath the waves of West Wales lies a complicated network of relationships that determines not only who’s belly rolling who, but which calf survive...

The Elusive Leaping Shark | Searching for Cryptic Creatures

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ranger Rosie Holdsworth to uncover the mystery of the leaping shark.   On a boat off Cornwall, wildlife guide Jenny spots a huge animal she’s ...

Gangster Gulls | Uncovering the Truth About Seagulls

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seagulls have a bad reputation. But is it deserved?   Join Ranger Rosie Holdsworth to meet the gulls in Poole Harbour known for their chip-stealing b...

Introducing Back When

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine being a fly on the wall throughout history. Historians Helen Antrobus and James Grasby take you inside the stories of the people, places and ...

Introducing Wild Tales

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wild Tales is launching 26 March. Immerse yourself in intriguing stories from our weird, wonderful and utterly wild world.   Experience nature in a ...

World Heritage Heroes | Roots to Roses in Ethiopia & England

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Journey to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Mottisfont garden in Hampshire, to discover a story of heritage and horticulture through two of the world’s m...

Pub Walks and Planet Protection

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the simple pleasures in life is getting outdoors for a walk, taking in the world around you with some fresh air and then nipping into a cosy pu...

Announcement | We'll Look Different Soon

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From March 2025 the National Trust Podcast will look a little different, so that we can bring you more stories in nature, history and adventure.  We...

Dust Detectives | Underfloor Archaeology (Classic)

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just beneath our feet lies a hidden world of centuries-old curiosities and undiscovered treasures.  But laying your hands on these forgotten items ...

Seasons by the Sea | Grey Seals at Blakeney Point (Classic)

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Experience life on Blakeney Point in Norfolk as it transforms throughout the year, in this classic episode.  From the mass arrival of seal pups in wi...

Victoria, Albert and the Christmas Tree Trend

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In 1848 an image of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children decorating an evergreen caused a sensation, and sparked a Christmas tree trend in...

World Heritage Heroes | Saving History in Cairo & Norfolk

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Surfing in the North Sea | An Unimaginable Dream

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a wheelchair user, Melissa rarely has the opportunity of spending time on the beach with the rest of her family; and an activity for them all in th...

Isaac Newton | The Gravity of Good Friends

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Isaac Newton is best known for coming up with the theory of gravity while relaxing in his orchard, thanks to an apple that fell beside him one aft...

Ghost Stories | Murder in the Castle

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On 18th March AD 978 at Corfe Castle in Dorset, a 16-year-old boy was brutally stabbed in the back and died shortly after. That boy was the teenage ki...

New Kids' Podcast | Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join the adventures of Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers, the new kids' podcast from the National Trust. Introducing the Wildlifers, a crew of colourful ...

WWII ‘Brown Babies’ | A Hidden History

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Historian David Olusoga tells the story of the children born to white British mothers and black American servicemen during the Second World War, dubbe...

Introducing: Step into the Past | The Craftsmen of Calke Abbey

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if you could follow in the footsteps of your ancestors and reveal the hidden tales behind some of the UK’s fascinating historical locations?  ...

Sycamore Gap | One Year On

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On September 27th 2023, the famous Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland was felled overnight in an act of vandalism, triggering a far-reaching wave of ...

Farewell Kate!

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our lovely nature presenter and ranger Kate Martin is leaving to join our friends at the RSPB, helping to care for wildlife in Scotland. Here are som...

Northern Ireland Adventure | Sea Safari at Rathlin Island

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A stretch of water between the mainland and Rathlin Island is home to some of the world’s most unique wildlife and infamous shipwrecks.  Ranger K...

Northern Ireland Adventure | Beyond the Bridge

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t look down! Across a rope bridge over a  stretch of water on Northern Ireland’s causeway coast lies the Island of Carrick-a-Rede and a fishe...

Classic | A Beginners Guide to Bikepacking Day 2

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jo and Katherine continue their bikepacking adventure, starting day two in Bude, with a surprise twist after breakfast, before heading up the coast to...

Classic | A Beginners Guide to Bikepacking Day 1

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you combine backpacking and cycling? In this classic 2-parter we join Jo Dyson as she gets to grips with ‘bikepacking’ under t...

Classic | The Twilight Creatures of Cragside

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode, you’re invited to a midnight party happening deep in the woods. Meet the ravers, movers and shakers as they emerge from sl...

Going Underground | Inside a Roman Gold Mine

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Deep under the hillsides of Carmarthenshire lie the remains of the UK’s only known Roman gold mines.   With a head torch to guide the way, James Gr...

City Growing with Tayshan Hayden-Smith

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ex-professional footballer Tayshan Hayden-Smith turned to the healing power of nature after the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in 2017.  Since then, he’...

The Workhouse | One Step Up From Prison?

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you didn’t have money and a way to support yourself and your family in the 1800s you might be forced to go into the workhouse. Find out what life...

My Dog Walk Saved Me | A Mental Health Journey

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When one man set off on a walk around the UK coast, little did he know that adopting a rescue dog would change the course of his life.  Christian L...

125 Treasures | The Needle on the Lawn

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Philae Obelisk at Kingston Lacy in Dorset is an ancient reminder of a very different world.  Learn about its origins, why it came to be in Englan...

Poetry and Music in Bloom with Simon Armitage and LYR

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we celebrate the season of blossom with poetry and music written and produced by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and his band LYR.  In this...

The Mysterious Tale of Ferguson's Gang

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the 1930s, the mysterious Ferguson’s Gang captivated the British public with their daring and unusual stunts.  Led by the enigmatic “Bill Stic...

Dam Engineers | The Beavers of Holnicote | Revisited

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the past few years Holnicote Estate, Exmoor National Park, has been home to furry inhabitants engineering a solution to local flooding, and develo...

A History of Drag | Panto and Shakespeare

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Drag and British history go hand in hand with each other when the two meet on the stage. From Shakespeare to Pantomime the idea of gender play as part...

The Last Voyage | Sutton Hoo

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 1939, archaeologists uncovered a “ghost ship” under the acidic sandy soil of Sutton Hoo, in Suffolk. Now, presenter James Grasby reimagines the...

The Cedar Children | Kindertransport in WW2

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In March 1939 a group of 23 children and their two adult guardians stepped off a coach in Waddesdon village, Buckinghamshire.  The arrivals were Jewi...

A Beginner’s Guide to Geocaching

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Geocaching is the 21st century answer to treasure hunting with items hidden across the world in towns, cities, forests and wild expanses. Novice Jo D...

A Garden Fit for Bridgerton | Garden Parties at Claremont

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join a tour of a garden designed for pleasure, as we relive its party heyday.  Claremont in Surrey once played host to events described as the love...

Escape to Adventure Island | Camping at Brownsea

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Journey to a tiny island renowned for adventure. Brownsea Island, off England’s southwest coast is the birthplace of the Scout movement and where h...

The Secret Sky Garden | Manchester's Garden Viaduct

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Take a tour through time as we explore the rich past and promising future of Castlefield Viaduct – a Victorian railway bridge transformed into a gre...

125 Treasures | The Horse on the Staircase

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Revisit a favourite episode from our mini series 125 Treasures. Join actor Alison Steadman and explore the story behind Hambletonian, Rubbing Down, ...

Spooky Nights & Glowing Lights | Glow Worm Hunting

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The rolling hills of Stockbridge Down in Hampshire have a secret that comes after night falls. Ranger Kate Martin is hot on the trail of a mysteriou...

Winging it in the City | Urban Bird Spotting

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wildlife and nature is not just found in the countryside. Meet the buzzing birding community in the unlikely location of Leeds city centre. Ranger Ka...

Cherry’s Lost Blossoms | Spring Special

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear the story of how an eccentric Victorian and a potato helped save Japan’s lost cherry blossom blooms. Visit an international Hanami party in Lo...

Introducing: National Trust Kids’ Podcast

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Get set for adventure with the National Trust Kids’ Podcast. Join a host of colourful characters in stories exploring the world around us, from goin...

Seasons by the Sea | Grey Seals at Blakeney Point

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Experience life on Blakeney Point in Norfolk as it transforms throughout the year. From the mass arrival of seal pups in winter to the noisy feathered...

The Children’s Country House | Sudbury Hall

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A disco ball, a pirate ship and portraits with speech bubbles are perhaps not what you’d expect to see when visiting a historic property, but at the...

Deserts, Deception & Decay | Classified History

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Until recently the history of Orford Ness has been kept top secret but now is home to endangered plants and animals making their home alongside eerie ...

The Tale of Beatrix Potter

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An updated version of this episode is now available on our new History Podcast, Back When. To listen, please visit https://ntpodcasts.org/BW8 and make...

Dust Detectives | History Under the Floorboards

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Just beneath our feet lies a hidden world of ancient curiosities and undiscovered treasures but laying your hands on them and figuring out exactly wha...

A Wild Night Out | Twilight Creatures of Cragside

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a midnight party happening deep in the woods. Meet the ravers, movers and shakers as they emerge from slumber to rule nature’s nightclub...

The Inventors Playground | Green Gadgets

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Buckle up for a safari through a land where nothing is at it seems, and uncover the story of an audacious Victorian inventor known as the Magician of ...

The Treasure on the Wall | Heritage Home Decor

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If historic houses are the treasure boxes that keep the jewels within them safe, what happens when the box starts to fall apart? Find out how one pre...

A Beginner’s Guide to Paddleboarding

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hiking, running, and cycling can be great ways to get from A to B for the environmentally conscious traveller. But for a truly alternative mode of t...

Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant | Cartref y cyfieithydd

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mae'r Gymraeg yn un o ieithoedd byw hynaf Ewrop, ond pa ran chwaraeodd ffermdy bychan ger Penmachno yng ngoroesiad yr iaith hyd heddiw? Ymunwch a Bets...

Not Lost in Translation | Home of the Welsh Language

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Speaking and reading the language of your country of origin is something many people take for granted.  But for many in the country of Wales, being a...

Our first Welsh language podcast is coming soon

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On the Fringe of Extinction | Heritage Crafts

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At Knole house in Kent, there’s an endangered red list species lurking amid the antique furniture. After remaining at the property for hundreds of ...

Seaside Butterflies | Robots in the countryside

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After 5 years of climate change and fluctuating weather, we catch up with the highs and lows of our fluttery friends, the Silver Studded Blue butterfl...

Beatles Beginnings | At home with Mike McCartney

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you stumble upon 20 Forthlin Road, without knowing its history, you may assume it’s an unremarkable house, on an unremarkable suburban street. Bu...

The Stranger at Attingham Park

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A family trip takes a surprising turn when a mysterious encounter changes the course of National Trust member Sally’s life. Hear how a chance meeti...

Black Hiking | Pen y Fan

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As a Black Brit from London,  going out for a hike used to feel like an alien concept for Sean. However, after 4 years working at the National Trust...

A Beginner's Guide to Bikepacking | Part 2

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jo and Katherine are back on two wheels to continue their bikepacking adventure cycling along the Cornish and Devon coast finding out everything you n...

A Beginner's Guide to Bikepacking | Part 1

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve probably heard of backpacking and/or bike touring, but BikePacking is a combination of the two that makes for an exciting and exhilarating wa...

Wicken Fen | Revisited

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wicken Fen is the National Trust's oldest Nature reserve and home to some of England's most spectacular wildlife. Three years after her first visit t...

Shaw's Corner | Revisited

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we catch up with Shaw’s Corner, the former home of celebrated playwright George Bernard Shaw.   We'll be finding out how things ha...