Extraordinary Stories of Britain

Lav Affair - The History of Sewage Podcast.

The story of sewage:  from the Romans taxing urine,  to York's Bog on the Bridge; from Henry VIII's Groom of the Stool, to pure finders selling dog faeces.  Hear about the life of a Gong Farmer,  and how a lav affair with toilets lead to the Great Stink, which brought London's mighty Thames to a standstill.  

Podcat Special - Cats in World War II

This special history podcast brings to life the stories of beloved pets and their owners during the dark days of WW2.   From a cat who lost his tail, to a pussy who warned its family about an impending air raid.  From a heroic church cat, to felines in the trenches.   All brought together using personal stories, newsreel, dramatised events and music. 

Podcat – The History of Cats

We investigate the history of cats:  from mummified felines in the British Museum to George the Lion who lived in the Tower of London;  from the world’s favourite pantomime cat, to the pussy who helped write an English dictionary. Hear about only cat to win the prestigious wartime Dickin Medal, and political cats  - from Churchill's mouser to the famous Downing Street Larry.  

1666 - When Fire Destroyed London

In 1666, a stray ember turned London into a blazing inferno.  Our podcast brings to life the Great Fire of London:  dramatising the lives of the people caught up in the worst disaster the capital has ever witnessed.
 

Shakespeare in London – the Life of the World’s Greatest Playwright

400 years ago,  in 1623,  Shakespeare’s plays were brought together in one book:  The First Folio  -  the most important work in English literature.   This podcast tells the story of the Bard’s life in London: how the writer left the tiny village of Stratford-Upon-Avon in search of success in the capital,  how he became an actor, writer and theatre owner; how his company dismantled an entire theatre building and moved it across the River Thames -  and how his beloved Globe burned down.   And why we,  very nearly,   lost half his plays forever.

Westminster Abbey Coronations - from Mishaps to Majesty

For a thousand years, British kings and queens have been crowned at Westminster Abbey.  This podcast tells the story of the coronation:   from babbling bishops to falling dukes,  spurned queens to monarch murders,  stolen stones to dazzling diamonds and belly-busting banquets to mighty majesty.   

Jack Sheppard - The Most Famous Man in Britain

Thee hundred years ago, Jack Sheppard was the most famous man in the country.    Britain’s first celebrity was not a royal,  an actor,  or aristocrat -  but a petty thief.    This podcast tells the story of how an East End chancer became so famous, that a third of London’s population took to the streets to see if he could cheat the noose. 

Newgate Jail - London’s Hell on Earth

For 700 years Newgate Jail was the darkest, dirtiest and most miserable dungeon in London.  We uncover some of its terrible and terrifying prison stories:  from cannibals to the fearsome ghost of a black dog;    from a boy chimney sweep sent to hang at Tyburn, to a world-famous novelist imprisoned for his ideas.   Hear about London’s Georgian Mafia boss,  and the man who inspired Dickens’ Fagin.  Songs, stories and strange tales in this prison podcast.