Bad Manors
UK comedian The Honourable Tom Houghton takes us inside Britain’s stately homes, castles and country estates to hear about their local histories, the scandals, the mysteries and occasionally the odd ghost that makes up the fabric of what they are. These are the tales you won’t hear in the guidebook.
Episodes
On this episode, we're revisiting Tom's old gaff... The Tower of London. Tom lived there for six years and it was pretty marvelous actually. We've all been feeling pretty homesick and that's why we're bringing you part two of his chat with (at the time of recording) the current resident, Meghan Clawson. As well as being Queen of the Castle, Meghan is also a novelist and TikTok star, and she owns a very cute dog called Ethel. Open t...
Today we are going to explore the rich and whimsical history of heaver Castle in Kent, Engand. Hever Castle has a rich and varied history, from its origins as a country house in the thirteenth century to its transformation into a grand mansion in the twentieth century. Amongst its notable residents was the Boleyn family, who lived at Hever Castle in the Sixteenth Century and whose daughter Anne became the second wife of King Henry ...
Eleanor Campbell, Duchess of Argyll
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Beware of making deals with the devil, for he will always find a way to collect his debts.” Someone should have told that to Oliver Cromwell because this week we're back at The Commandary with Megan and Alice to hear about the seven years of prosperity he was granted in return for his soul...
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're back at Ripley Castle, home to the Ingilby family for the last seven hundred years. Last time we heard about a whole host of Ingilby's. There was William, Jarl and Henry, Sir, William Francis and his brother David, Sir Thomas... the list goes on. And speaking of Sir Thomas, we are in the very privileged position of actually being able to talk to a live, living Ingilby! Sir Thomas Ingilby, the sixth Baronet, joining us on the ...
Holkham Hall returns this week to discuss some of the notable women that have called Holkham home over the years. Our two experts this week are collections coordinator Katherine Hardwick & Holkham Archivist Lucy Purvis. Enjoy!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome back to the Midlands where we're returning to Harvington Hall, famous for having the most priest holes in England and filling us in on those holes, is a man who spent a lot of time in them programs, Manager Pill Downing. Last time we heard about evil priest hunter and priest torturer Richard Topcliffe, but there's one very important person we yet to talk about: Nicholas Owen aka The Elusvie Illusionist
Today we're back at Versailles which means one thing: "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche!" and with that delicious cake we'll be taking a look at one of Bad Manors most controversial figures Marie Antoinette. Joining us again is the wonderful Birgit Marie.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode, we're back in Essex at England's oldest town, Colchester, and once again Tom has been imprisoned at Colchester Castle with two familiars, Ben and Bianca. Last time, Ben and Bianca educated us on the castle's history, architecture, why there's a tree growing on the roof, and Colchester's Roman history. But let's be honest... We want to talk about witches!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do the Holy Grail, The Knights Templar and aliens all have in common? Answer? They all may be connected with Rosslyn Chapel, a fifteenth century chapel just down the road from Edinburgh. Among other things, it's famous for appearing in the best selling book The Da Vinci Code. Here to help me unpick the mysteries is Chapel Director Ian Gardner.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Oscar winning film editor Thelma shoe Maker once said: "Editing is really like plumbing. A good deal of the time, you put two things together and the current runs through it." It's a lovely quote that captures the magic and the craft of editing... Compare that to my producer Chris who once said editing's are pain in the ass. You can tell he hasn't won any Oscars (yet) but this collection of some our of favourite Bad Manors mini...
On today's episode, we're at Golden Grove estate in Wales. Yes, that's Wales, so naturally there's going to be a lot of discussion about drinking. Joining us is Terry Norman, secretary of the Local History Society. Terry is going to be telling us about three Earls, one pirate and a lot of Jaguar E types. How does this all link to the Golden Grove Estate you ask? Listen to find out...
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...
Dear Diary. Today, I had the displeasure of visiting Holkham Hall, a rather ghastly eighteenth century country house in Norfolk. I found the place to be particularly exuberant with its Palladian architecture and its opulent interior. I mean, a room full of statues is hardly becoming and as for the staff, well for starters. I was met by a woman who described herself vastly. She said her name was Catherine, the collection's coordinat...
Scotland, home of the Brave Hearts, but better yet, and certainly better than that joke. It's home to a lot of castles, so many we couldn't invade all of them in one episode, which is why this is part two of our Scottish Castle's Special. And if you were here for our Burns Night episode you'll already be familiar with Kildrummy Castle and Sterling Castle. On this episode, we're heading further south to Edinburgh Castle and further ...
Sláinte Mhath! Welcome to this Burns Night special where we're traveling to the Northern Highlands to celebrate the special day with some Scottish Castles...
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Here's a question for you, dear listener, Do you feel lucky? Punk? Punk Wow? Sorry about the punk thing and the dodgy accent. The reason I ask is because today's episode explores luck, both good and bad, although mostly bad. Muncaster Castle in Cumbria is the home to the Pennington family and the home of Tom Foolery. Court Jesters - this episode is for you!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're back at Alnwick to discuss a medieval bloodsucker who terrorised Alnwick. This isn't Twilight we're talking the real deal. Plus, Tom answers some ancient riddles.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tom & producer Chris sit down by the fire to answer some listener questions. So sit back, relax, eat a mince pie and enjoy the ride.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Holme Pierrepont Hall is home to some impressive family heritage. To talk us through his family history is Robert Brackenbury!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're back Tutbury Castle with dream team Dr. Gareth Williams & Lesley Smith. This time we're talking about the biggest hoard of ancient coins ever found in the UK and medieval contraception. Condoms, chastity belts and contraceptive limes?! That's right you heard us right the first time. It's a seriously fruity episode so strap on and strap in.
Links
Follow Bad Manors on Instagram
Follow Tom on Instagram and TikTok<...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.