Lady Carnarvon’s Castle Conversations
Why not join me to enjoy a plethora of fascinating topics and guests from the world of Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey?
Whether you love movies or care about the planet; wish to discover the best gardening or cooking tips; hear about innovation, music or the history of flight. I hope you will thoroughly enjoy the library we have created.
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Tuesday, 4 August, 2026
Piano Wire and Courage: Lady Carnarvon talks to Alexander Norman about Captain de Havilland's Moth and the golden age of aviation
Today, I welcomed author Alex Norman to the podcast to talk about his book on De Havilland’s Moth and the thrilling world of aviation in the 1920s and 30s, a period with such wonderful links to Highclere.
Alex shared his own family’s connections to early flying, including his grandfather’s aircraft and involvement in the London Aeroplane Club and explained how Geoffrey de Havilland’s ingenuity helped by Frank Halford’s lightweight Cirrus engine made the DH60 Moth a breakthrough for private pilots.
We explored how government-subsidised flying clubs, adventurous women and men and the freedom of the skies fuelled record-breaking journeys, from Lady Bailey and Amy Johnson to the Aga Khan Trophy winner Aspy Engineer
Wednesday, 22 July, 2026
Rooted in Adventure: Lady Carnarvon and explorer Levinson Wood on trees, history and The Great Tree Story
I’m delighted to welcome author and explorer Levison Wood to Highclere, where we talk about my great love; trees and his book, The Great Tree Story: how forests have shaped our world.
Levison shares how studying the Grand Tour at university inspired his lifelong passion for travel and storytelling, from hitchhiking across Europe and Central Asia to serving as an officer in the Parachute Regiment and deploying to Afghanistan. He recalls founding a production company and undertaking extraordinary long-distance walks, including nine months walking the White Nile from its farthest source to the Mediterranean, followed by the length of the Himalayas and other epic routes.
We explore what drew him to write about trees, especially an experience with the Asháninka in the Amazon and we discuss ancient yews, cedars, redwoods, Highclere’s planting of 22,000 trees and his plans to adapt The Great Tree Story into a feature documentary.