Kingston Lacy

At Kingston Lacy in Dorset, Bettany meets House Steward Bernie King to learn about William John Bankes who, during the 19th Century, turned Kingston Lacy into the treasure trove you’ll find today. This extraordinary house is a testament to Bankes’ obsession for exploring and collecting in Europe and beyond. Bettany examines his fabulous European art collection with paintings expert Christine Sitwell and is given exclusive access to William John’s sitting room to learn more about what made him tick. The tragedy of Bankes’ life is that he never saw out his days at Kingston Lacy after he was forced into exile in Italy for being gay, at a time when homosexuality was illegal. Although Bettany learns it is very likely he visited the house incognito to comment on the door hinges!For more information about Kingston Lacy, including opening times and dates, go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Om Podcasten

Historian Bettany Hughes goes beyond the delights of teas and topiary to explore ten inspiring National Trust sites. Join Bettany as she travels around some of the most splendid sites in England, guided by our experts, to investigate their deep-rooted connections to Europe and the wider world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.