Meet the beekeeper at Battle Abbey!
950 years after William the Conqueror beat King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Battle Abbey has become home to up to 30,000 bees.
Join young English Heritage Member Madeline on her adventure to the site, where she meets head beekeeper Graham. Find out everything about bees, including what a beekeeper does and the past uses for honey.
History at home live
TV presenter Ben Shires helped us host some amazing live lessons in 2020. In case you missed them, we’re sharing all the streams here, so you can catch up on castles, get clued up on Tudors and learn all about the legendary King Arthur.
Watch nowHomes through History
Episode 9: Meet a member of the Cichociemni at Audley End House
Take a stroll around Audley End House and Gardens with Pawel, a former member of the Cichociemni.
Also called the Silent Unseen, the Cichociemni was the Polish section of the Special Operations Executive during the Second World War. Members trained at Audley End House, which became known as Station 43 and was operational from 1 May 1942. Pawel explains how he and his comrades lived, trained and relaxed, while preparing to return to his homeland to fight.
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HOMES THROUGH HISTORY Episode 1: MEET A BRONZE AGE SETTLER
Step into the Bronze Age and meet a prehistoric settler to discover what life was like. Find out how our ancestors built their houses, kept warm and even how they used the toilet!
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HOMES THROUGH HISTORY Episode 2: MEET KING HENRY II’S LORD STEWARD
Explore the Great Tower at Dover Castle with the Lord Steward. Find out why the Normans built Dover Castle, what working for the king involves, where the king keeps his wealth and what he has for breakfast!
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HOMES THROUGH HISTORY Episode 3: Medieval Merchant's House
Step into a medieval house and wine shop with Mistress Fortin, as she answers questions from young English Heritage Members, and reveals what daily life is like in the busy Southampton merchants’ quarter.
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HOMES THROUGH HISTORY EPISODE 4: MEET THE PORTER AT ST MAWES CASTLE
Discover what life was like for a Porter at St Mawes Castle in Cornwall during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Find out why the castle was an important part of England’s defences and how it was protected.
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Homes Through History Episode 5: Meet the Woodward of Boscobel House
Discover what life was like at Boscobel House & Gardens in the Stuart era, and find out how King Charles II escaped from Oliver Cromwell’s army using Boscobel’s unusual hiding places...
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Homes Through History Episode 6: Meet the Housekeeper at Apsley House
Discover what life was like at Apsley House, home of the 1st Duke of Wellington. Find out about Apsley House’s famous annual Waterloo banquet and even the Duke of Wellington’s favourite food...
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Homes Through History Episode 7: Meet the Butler at Brodsworth Hall
Discover what life was like for Mr Chuck the butler at Brodsworth Hall. Learn more about the family Mr Chuck worked for and what daily work for a Victorian butler would have involved.
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Homes Through History Episode 9: Meet a member of the Cichociemni at Audley End House
Meet Pawel, a former member of the Cichociemni, also called the Silent Unseen, the Polish section of the Special Operations Executive during the Second World War.
A Day in the Life
Step back in time and experience a day for children living in the past with our fun animated series.
EPISODE 12: FIRST WORLD WAR
Spend a day with Victor Church, the plumber, electrician and ambulance driver at Wrest Park Hospital in 1914.
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A Day in the Life Episode 1: Prehistory
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A Day in the Life Episode 2: Romans
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A Day in the Life Episode 3: Anglo-Saxons
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A Day in the Life Episode 4: Normans
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A Day in the Life Episode 5 Medieval Monasteries
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A Day in the Life Episode 6: Medieval Castles
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A Day in the Life Episode 7: Tudors
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A Day in the Life Episode 8: Stuarts
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A Day in the Life Episode 9: Georgians
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A Day in the Life Episode 10: Victorians
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A Day in the Life Episode 11: Kings and Queens
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A Day in the Life Episode 12: First World War
History in a nutshell
Bring history to life with these animated highlights of the story of England - in a nutshell.
What was Life Like?
Go back in time and meet historical figures and characters from the past to discover what life was like. Watch as we interview a medieval noblewoman, a prehistoric flint miner and even Henry VIII.
Watch the playlist-
What Was Life Like? Episode 1 : Prehistory: Meet a Prehistoric Flint Miner
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What Was Life Like? Episode 2: Romans | Meet a Roman Legionary
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What Was Life Like? Episode 3: Anglo-Saxons | Meet an Anglo-Saxon Warrior
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What Was Life Like? Episode 4: Normans | Meet William the Conqueror and King Harold
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What Was Life Like? Episode 5: Medieval | Meet a Medieval Monk
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What Was Life Like? Episode 6: Castles | Meet A Medieval Noblewoman
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What Was Life Like? Episode 7: Tudors | Meet A Tudor Cook
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What Was Life Like? Episode 11: Meet King Henry VIII
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What Was Life Like? Episode 8: Stuarts | Meet a Horse Trainer
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What Was Life Like? Episode 9: Georgians I The Story of Dido Belle
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What Was Life Like? Episode 10: Victorians | Meet Victorian Cook Mrs Crocombe
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What Was Life Like? Episode 12: Meet Admiral Ramsay
Animated history
Bring history to life with our animated highlights of the story of England. Find out how Stonehenge was constructed, why Hadrian's Wall was built, how castles evolved over time and more.
Watch the playlist-
Did King Arthur Really Exist? | Animated History
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How Was Stonehenge Created? | Animated History
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A Mini Guide to Medieval Monks | Animated History
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Why Was Hadrian’s Wall Built? | Animated History
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A Mini Guide to Prehistoric Monuments | Animated History
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A Brief History of the Normans | Animated History
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How To Take A Medieval Castle | Animated History
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Harold vs William - Whose Crown? | Animated History
More to explore
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Kids Home
Learn about England’s history and discover more about everyday life in the past, from the rich and famous to the general population, through fun facts, illustrated stories and games.
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Historical Timeline Posters
We've created a series of posters showing the history of England, from prehistory through to the World Wars. Print them out to create a mega timeline, or colour your own with our downloadable sheets.
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Things to Make and Do
For weekends, rainy days and holidays, we’ve collected our best ideas for you to get hands-on and crafty with history. Make a model tudor house, become a knight with a sword and shield, design a Roman mosaic, plus much more.
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Tasty Historical Makes and Bakes
Serve up a slice of history with these delicious recipes from the past. Whip up a batch of Mrs Crocombe's favourite Queen Drop Biscuits, bake a medieval pie, watch our interview with a Tudor cook and more.
