This House Podcast

Volunteer Nicky Morland gives Liz Barker a tour of the atmospheric David Parr House in Cambridge. Listen to this bonus episode for a limited time only. It concludes the This House Podcast series. Updates of some of the homes featured will be given via the instagram page but if you want to keep any of the podcast's please download any before they go! Thank you to all of the wonderful contribtors over the 2 series, and to you the listeners. Do go and visit the David Parr House yourself, there are exhibitions, workshops, which focus on slow making within a domestic setting and developing skills you can use at home, mindful activities such as Sashiko, French Beading, Millinery, Block printing, ceramics, bargello and garden planning. New Guided Tours  are an immersive experience enhanced by audio and visual elements. House visits provide the opportunity for you to explore at your own pace and are given by friendly and knowledgeable guides.  

There is nothing quite like experiencing Hemingford Grey Manor in Huntingdon for yourself, the oldest longest inhabited house in Britain since the 1130's, from the gardens on the river, the inspiration for the popular children's books written by Lucy Boston: The Greene Knowe series. Ghost stories, plays and world famous patchwork collection, but this tour by Diana - family relation and resident - is the next best thing. Enjoy this bonus episode. 

Film maker Martin Wallace gives a fascinating insight into the secret life and home of Ron Gittins who transformed the interior of his rented flat into a classical villa and fantasy world within. Martin is Patron and helped save it. It is now owned by Wirral Arts and Culture Community Land Trust - and is currently being restored - it will be open to the public soon. Liz and Martin discuss the significance of Ron's Place in Birkenhead Liverpool on the wider community and art in general. Come on a journey into a unique home and mind of its creative creator Ron. Photos to accompany this episode are available to see on the This House instagram page courtesy of Historic England. 

Nicky Paton tells Liz about the grotto’s discovery and the different theories behind why it was made. It’s mythical, magical and still a mystery. What do you think? See photos on the this house  Instagram page, you can also watch this podcast episode on the this house you tube channel, & if you ever get the chance to visit Margate (a must) then put the Shell Grotto on your list of places to visit. You won’t be disappointed. 🐚

Charlie Worthington of Lowden construction ltd invited Liz Barker to his latest site in Grandsden St Neots before work starts on renovating the old farm buildings. He talks through other projects including the company has worked on including his own home and highlights the pitfalls and conservation work involved with turning British Barns into beautiful residential buildings. 

Jochen Runde and Fiona Kinghorn kindly invited Liz to take a look around their beautiful Bauhaus designed home and discuss what it is like living in this Nicholas Johnston Architect designed one level house. They discuss Bauhaus design, garden design, art, it's origins and past, as well as the interesting added feature of its grave yard!  

Rob Short is an all round excellent bloke and publican, as current proprietor of The Queens Head in Newton Cambridge, run previously by his grandparents then parents, he and his family live and work in a building that has had 18 landlords since 1729. As Rob says "everything here has a story" and this epiosde has stories in spades! Rob reveals what life is like growing up in and running a unique pub with its fascinating customers, history and decor. Everywhere you look there is a story but the best thing about it is its beer from the barrel and it's famous 'brown soup and sandwiches'. One of only five pubs to make it into every addition of CAMRA since it was published 50 years ago, Liz got to sample its delights in front of a roaring fire. 

Nick Rapley has lovingly restored Foxton House and its outbuildings over the last 15 years. A beautiful Georgian house hidden in the heart of this Cambridgeshire village it offers a glimpse into the Regency period which is still greatly valued and appreciated today, where the layout of the original house has hardly changed suggesting that the way Georgian living spaces were arranged still suit's todays society and it's testimony to the craftsmanship used that so much has survived. It has restrained charm and elegance and an interior as gorgeous as its exterior. Nick kindly invited Liz Barker to take a look and talk about its history, past astemed residents and how they contributed to local life and how the house is an important part of it's surrounding area. Enjoy this episode as Foxton House celebrates it's Bicentenary Birthday!! 

Fresh from Glastonbury Festival, lovely jewellery designer and maker from Lawson's Goldsmiths Henley, Laura Hewitt talks to Liz Barker about life on a houseboat. How it works, the upsides, the downsides and practicalities. Laura has lived on a houseboat around London for many years - first as an apprentice and now as a mum to two young gorgeous children. Laura shares her exciting journeys, experiences & stories, and gives advice and practical information. For anyone intrigued about this alternative way of living, the This House Podcast takes to the water and ditches the traditional brix and mortar approach to accommodation in this episode. Number five of series two is an adventure.  

The Leper Chapel dates from around 1125 and is the second oldest building in Cambridge. Now run by the charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future it is open to the public. In Series 2 Episode 4 of the This House Podcast - Liz Barker meets volunteer and Manager of the Cambridge Colleges Conservation Consortium Flavio Marzo to discuss its rich history from hospital to the famous Stourbridge Fair and place of worship. Flavio talks about his fascinating work as an expert on book binding and restoration as well as another historically important building in Cambridge he wishes to restore next. Don't miss Flavio's infectious interview bringing this building to life.