Imagine being a fly on the wall of history.
Historians Helen Antrobus and James Grasby take you inside the stories of the people, places and moments that made us.
Experience the Great Stink of London. Make an entrance onto the Georgian dating scene. Find out if you'd survive a medieval battle and unlock the secrets of Britain’s space race.
Our past is all around us. And we'll be transporting you behind the scenes at landmarks from castles to dance halls and WWII bunkers to workhouses. You’ll meet people from all walks of life whose fascinating stories have shaped who we are now.
Lean in for a tale from time: Back When.
You'll get a new story every fortnight. Follow Back When on your favourite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.
This podcast is made by the National Trust, Europe’s biggest conservation charity. Looking after history, nature and beauty for everyone to enjoy.
Discover more from National Trust podcasts
Follow Wild Tales, our podcast for nature lovers:
podfollow.com/wild-tales (https://podfollow.com/wild-tales)
Listen to Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers, our kids' podcast:
podfollow.com/national-trust-kids-podcast (https://podfollow.com/national-trust-kids-podcast)
See videos of the National Trust Podcast on Youtube:
www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts (http://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts)
Get in touch with feedback and ideas for stories you'd like to hear:
podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk
Back When is wrapping up and we wanted to say a massive thank you for time travelling with us over all our stories.
In this short episode, join presenter Helen Antrobus to relive some of our best moments.
Production:
Host: Helen Antrobus
Producer and Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez Albiach
Thank you for supporting Back When. If you love history and culture there is so much content at the National Trust, from our YouTube channel to great days out at your nearest heritage sites.
If you like podcasts from the National Trust, listen to Wild Tales for intriguing nature stories from our weird, wonderful and utterly wild world. For little ears, there's our Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers kids' podcast, following the adventures of a crew of colourful creatures.
If you’d like to get in touch you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk (mailto:podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk)
11 Mar 2026
Grace Darling | An Unassuming Victorian Heroine
The Farne Islands are a group of 28 islands off the Northumberland coast in England’s Northeast. They are home to Atlantic grey seals and a breeding colony of sea birds, but they are also the former residence of a courageous, but very modest, Victorian heroine.
Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter is just 22 years old when she embarks on a daring sea rescue in 1838.
Grace’s bravery thrusts her into the limelight, bringing well-wishers and gifts from across the nation, but the attention leads to tragic consequences.
In this, the last story of the series, join Helen Antrobus as she uncovers the tale of Grace’s epic sea rescue and resulting fame and learns more about this unassuming Victorian heroine.
[Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos.
Start creating your story at www.cewe.co.uk (http://www.cewe.co.uk/)
Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts (https://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts)
Production:
Hosts: Helen Antrobus
Producer: Katy Kelly
Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez
Contributors:
Andrew Lewis, Heritage Development Manager at the RNLI Grace Darling Museum
Nick Lewis, Cultural Heritage for the National Trust on the Farne Islands
Discover More:
For information on the RNLI Grace Darling Museum:
RNLI Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh (https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/museums/grace-darling-museum)
Find out more about The Farne Islands:
Farne Islands | Northumberland | National Trust (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/farne-islands)
If you’d like to get in touch with feedback or a story idea you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk (mailto:podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk)
Thanks for listening to and supporting Back When. This is the last story of the series. But if you love history and culture there is so much content at the National Trust, from our YouTube channel to great days out at your nearest heritage sites.
We have other podcasts, listen to Wild Tales for intriguing nature stories from our weird, wonderful and utterly wild world. For little ears, there's our Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers kids' podcast, following the adventures of a crew of colourful creatures.
25 Feb 2026
Body Snatching | The Burke and Hare Murders
Have you heard of the Burke and Hare murders?
Sixteen people killed in under a year.
Join Helen Antrobus as she explores one of history’s most notorious killing sprees, and its links to body snatching.
[Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos.
Start creating your story at www.cewe.co.uk (http://www.cewe.co.uk/)
Production
Host: Helen Antrobus
Producer: Claire Hickinbotham
Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez
Contributors
With thanks to Susie Lennox Discovering A Darker Side To History | My Macabre Roadtrip (https://mymacabreroadtrip.com/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
12 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
18 ratings
Contact Back When | History Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
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