The Calverley Old Hall podcast
Listen to podcasts created by students from Bradford College, delving into Calverley Old Hall’s history and restoration, and bringing the building’s many stories to life.
In October 2025, the Landmark Trust invited students studying the Level 3 Diploma (UAL) in Creative Media Production & Technology at Bradford College to visit Calverley Old Hall. As part of their radio and podcasting module, we wanted to offer them the experience of working on a live professional brief. The students were guided on a tour of the building and introduced to the history of the site, the Calverley family, and the Landmark Trust’s project to restore it.
The students were then tasked with working together to create a series of podcast episodes, sharing these stories in a new audio format for Landmark audiences.
We are thrilled to present these podcast episodes as a fresh and creative interpretation of the history of Calverley Old Hall. While the students were assessed on their media production skills rather than historical accuracy, we think they’ve done a fantastic job bringing these stories to life. If you’d like to explore the history in more depth, or are conducting your own research, we recommend referring to our official History Album and other verified sources available on our website.
Listen to the episodes
Teaming up to create four episodes, the students have woven together a rich tapestry of stories, interpreted in their own way. Each episode showcases their research, interviews, and growing skills in audio recording and editing - all vital parts of their college course. Listen to the epsiodes below.
Episode 1: The Calverley Family before 1550
By Leon
Join Leon to discover the captivating origins of the Calverley family. From their initial relocation to Calverley from Scotland, to navigating high-stakes friendships with Henry VIII, this episode explores the family's journey through debt, knighthood, and religious defiance. Tune in to uncover the "juicy" history of the family that shaped this architectural treasure.
Listen to the episode:
Episdode 2: The Calverley family after 1550
by Hamza and Haaris
Explore the turbulent post-1550s history of the Calverley family in this gripping episode with Hamza and Haaris. From the tragedy of a family murder to advantageous marriages and crushing Civil War fines, discover how the family fought to save their estate. Listen now to unravel this "weird and wonderful" legacy.
Listen to the episode:
Episode 3: The development of the building through the ages
By Kevin
Uncover the architectural secrets of Calverley Old Hall with Kevin. From the 12th-century first floor manor house to the stunning 2021 discovery of the medieval Painted Chamber, this episode tracks Calverley Old Hall's evolution from a medieval manor to a restored community hub. Listen now to decide: is it just a house, or is it a living piece of history?
Listen to the episode:
Episode 4: Community engagement on the Landmark Trust Project
By Naayaa and Neha
Join Naayaa and Neha to discover the community engagement at the heart of restoring Calverley Old Hall in this uplifting episode. Learn how a passionate local community got involved in the project to rescue this historic gem. From a medieval-inspired community-designed garden to traditional craft skills workshops, find out how the Landmark Trust empowered locals to gain new skills. Listen now to be inspired.
Listen to the episode:
The students' tutor, Em Brogdan said:
'This project has been an insightful opportunity for our students, who were asked to create historical podcasts inspired by a visit to the Calverley Old Hall. I’ve been genuinely proud and impressed by the quality of the work they produced and the extensive skills they developed throughout the process, from research and scriptwriting to audio production and storytelling. Working with the Landmark Trust offered them a valuable real‑life experience of planning for an external brief and engaging in authentic client interaction, which added depth, relevance, and motivation to their learning.'
The Calverley Old Hall project, and these podcasts were made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
