Eleanor Doughty started her career writing about life as an impoverished student. It didn't take long to turn that specialism on its head, however: within a few years, Eleanor had turned her hand to writing about Britain's great country houses, and — more importantly — the people who live in them.
Over a decade later she has travelled to over 150 of the finest country piles in Britain, interviewing their owners to discover the ups and downs of their lives.
Listen to the Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts
Listen to the Country Life podcast on Spotify
Listen to the Country Life podcast on Audible
Heirs & Graces by Eleanor Doughty is ought in September 2025.
Eleanor has a book coming out in September, Heirs and Graces: A History of the Modern British Aristocracy, which details some of her most fascinating experiences. Ahead of that, she joined James Fisher on the Country Life podcast to talk about the people in Britain — and there are fewer than 5,000 of them in existence — who can claim to be members of the aristocracy.
From dinner with dukes to the peer who programmed his car to welcome him by saying 'Good morning, your Lordship', it's a fascinating glimpse in to a mysterious world that's hidden from view for most of us.
Eleanor's book Heirs & Graces will be published by Penguin in September 2025. See more details or pre-order it here.
Episode credits
Host: James Fisher
Guest: Eleanor Doughty
Producer and editor: Toby Keel
Music: JuliusH via Pixabay
Special thanks: Adam Wilbourn
-
‘To this day, it is as attractive as when Hercules first laid eyes on it’: How to escape the crowds on the Amalfi Coast, according to those in the knowThe Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s most famed holiday destinations, but, in recent years, mass tourism has made parts of it unbearable. Here’s our guide to making the most of it — in peace and in style.
-
The garden created by a forgotten genius of the 1920s, rescued from 'a sorry state of neglect to a level of quality it has not known for over 50 years'George Dillistone’s original Arts-and-Crafts design at Knowle House, East Sussex, has been lovingly restored and updated with contemporary planting. George Plumptre tells more; photography by Clive Nichols.
-
'Never willing to pardon where I had a power to revenge’: The history of the duelling classSettling a dispute with swords, pistols and, if legend is to be believed, sausages and guitars, has long been a matter of honour even among modern-day rock stars, discovers John F. Mueller.
-
Marcus Janssen: The man behind Schöffel on Chelsea Lifejackets, bagging a 'MacNab' and recognising the best of the British countrysideMarcus Janssen of Schöffel joins the Country Life podcast.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: 'There’s always been something alluring about reading in public, now, it comes with bravado'Week in, week out, Will Hosie rounds up the hottest topics on everyone's lips, in London and beyond.
-
Henry Holland's consuming passions: 'I started my career as the fashion editor of Smash Hits magazine and I am still a pop tart at heart!'Henry Holland, fashion designer and ceramicist, reveals who he'd like to play him in a film and why he's impressed with model Karlie Kloss.
-
Corinne Fowler: Exploring the hidden history of the British countryside, one walk at a timeProfessor Corinne Fowler joins the Country Life Podcast.
-
Why society needs snobs to tell us that 'actually, we've got this terribly wrong'Necessary arbiters of taste or entitled has-beens? Will Hosie discusses the implications of society turning against its snobs.
-
'I take a box of watercolours and a sketchpad with me everywhere': Tess Newall's consuming passionsDecorative artist Tess Newall, best known for her bespoke murals and furniture, talks to Country Life about her prized collection of painted plates, her love of Thin Lizzy and her eclectic podcast taste.
-
'When it comes to dating, longer notes are allowed and potentially even encouraged': A modern-day guide to voice notesSophia Money-Coutts is the new Debrett's and she's here every Wednesday to set some modern etiquette wrongs, right.
