The story of Britain's railways isn't just about steam engines and steel tracks—it’s about the people who built them, worked on them, and sometimes fought for their rights along the way.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the first modern passenger railway in 2025, this episode explores the human stories hidden within The National Archives' vast railway collections, focusing on records up to around 1950.

Hosted by family history specialist Jessamy Carlson, with railway historian Mike Esbester and records specialist James Cronan, the episode uncovers tales from accident registers that capture moments of tragedy and resilience, staff magazines that connected workers across vast distances, and annotated timetables that reveal individual journeys from centuries past.

In our next episode of On the Record, we uncover the personal stories behind Britain’s railway history—tragedy, resilience, and everyday journeys. Join us as we mark 200 years of rail travel through The National Archives’ records.

From Richard III’s lavish wardrobe to Queen Victoria’s chaotic ceremony, coronations have a rich and fascinating history. For some, a coronation is a once-in-a-lifetime public event; for the new king or queen, it is a display which can set the tone for their reign. 

In this episode of On the Record released to mark the coronation of King Charles III, our specialists examine records from previous coronations and explore how traditions have formed and changed through the centuries.

For a transcript and information about the documents used in this episode visit our show notes: https://bit.ly/TNACoro

This podcast series is part of a season of events and commemorating the coronation of King Charles III on May 6th. Find out more at nationalarchives.gov.uk/coronations

From frozen festivals to royal polar bears, from wartime recovery to medieval merchants.The River Thames has been the stage for some of Britain’s most extraordinary moments.

In this episode, Sarah Castagnetti explores this rich history—from the 13th-century king who kept a polar bear in the river, to a Dutch naval attack that brought war to London’s doorstep, and the legendary Thames frost fairs.Three very different Thames stories, all revealing how central this river has been to London’s history.

Download the full episode transcript here.

In our next episode of On the Record, we explore three very different stories—each revealing how central the River Thames has been to London’s history.

In this episode, we bring you four stories that span two hundred years of British history. Two women leave their families to make a new life together in Wales in 1780, a Manchester drag ball in 1880, a secret gathering space for gay men in 1920s London, and a community archive collected by Black LGBTQ+ Londoners.

For a transcript and information about the documents used in this episode visit our show notes: https://bit.ly/TNALGBTQ1

Listeners, we need your help to make this podcast better! We need to know a bit more about you and what themes you’re interested in. Visit: smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ontherecord/

On Tuesday, May 8th, 1945, the Allies who had been fighting the Second World War formally accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender. May 8th became known as Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, and is still marked every year.

In this episode, host Chloe Lee is joined by Will Butler, a specialist in British society during the First and Second World Wars, to explore what that first VE Day was like, from the soldiers and medics who’d been at the frontline, to the folks at home who wanted peace — and for butter to be easily available again in British towns and cities.

Download the full episode transcript here.

In our next episode, we explore what Victory in Europe Day (or VE Day) was like, from the soldiers and medics who’d been at the frontline, to the folks at home who wanted peace — and for butter to be easily available again in British towns and cities.

Spy fiction has captivated our imagination for decades, but the truth behind Britain's security service is even more fascinating than the high-stakes capers of the movies. At The National Archives, we hold the real files—declassified documents that reveal the actual operations, successes, and sometimes failures of MI5 since its creation in 1909. 

In celebration of our new exhibition featuring these secret files and spy gadgets, this episode delves into the real world of espionage – one perhaps more intriguing than fiction. 

Our guests include Gill Bennett, a historian specialising in secret intelligence and former Chief Historian at the Foreign Office, and Mark Dunton, Principal Records Specialist at The National Archives. 

Download the full episode transcript here.

In our next episode of On the Record, we uncover the fascinating stories behind the UK’s security service, MI5. To celebrate our new exhibition featuring formerly secret files and spy gadgets, we delve into the real world of espionage – one perhaps more intriguing than fiction.