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.
Explore Podcasts by Category
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
Thursday, 5 November, 2020
Night Bomber: Colin Bell
LADY CARNARVON'S PODCAST
Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC AE FRICS RAF (retired) served in WW2 as a Mosquito Bomber Pilot. Celebrating his 100th Birthday next March, he talks all about his experiences as a pilot in WW2. His flying training was carried out in 1941 in the United States and he stayed there serving as a flying instructor until 1943. On his return to the United Kingdom in 1943 he converted to twin engine Mosquito Bombers and joined 608 Squadron (Pathfinder Group) based at Downham Market in Norfolk. During his operational tours he carried out 50 bombing raids over Germany, 13 of them over Berlin. He experienced much action and survived many close scrapes. This inspirational talk takes place in the Smoking Room at Highclere Castle, and was recorded for video as well as podcast as part of the History at Highclere weekend.