Best Ben Salamon Podcasts (2024)

1
31: Trellick Tower 48:45

7M ago48:45

48:45

Join us for an West London extravaganza as we explore the iconic Trellick Tower and delve into the world of brutalist architecture. Our guest, Sam Gerson, is not only Ben's school friend but also his former housemate of 8 years. We discuss the history, significance, and unique features of Trellick Tower, a symbol of brutalist design that has left a…

1
30: Buckler's Hard 40:25

8M ago40:25

40:25

Benjamin's Britain is back from a summer break and we are straight back to history class with our guest Hannah Gaventa, aka Ben's first manager turned friend. Hannah joins us to talk about a chilly January day to Buckler's Hard a hamlet in Hampshire. We discuss both its famous picturesque cottages, it's colonial links and its surprising World War T…

1
29: Mary Rose and HMS Victory 49:53

11M ago49:53

49:53

This episode of the Benjamin's Britain podcast we are going back to basics with no guest. We've asked you, the listeners, to choose from some of Nicky and Ben's best landmarking trips over the past 7 years and you went for the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, ie. the infamous Mary Rose and her glamorous younger sister the HMS Victory. Nicky and Ben ca…

1
28: Milford Haven 48:55

1y ago48:55

48:55

This is a very Welsh themed episode starting of with our guest Andy Watts talking to us about his trip with his wife and Ben to St Ann's Head, Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire. On this site Henry VII catapulted 'the Tudors' into the limelight, landing in West Wales before storming through to England to defeat Richard III and end the War of the Roses.…

1
27: Kenilworth Castle 52:25

1y ago52:25

52:25

Unbelievably this episode of Benjamin's Britain features it's first ever castle! While Ben has visited many, our guest on this episode Fariya Mohiuddin is the first to discuss a castle visit with him on the pod, and in this case it's Kenilworth Castle, Warkwickshire that is in the limelight. Famous for Britain's longest siege, Fariya and Ben discov…

1
26: Blackpool Pleasure Beach 48:54

1y ago48:54

48:54

We're back! To open Season 4 of Benjamin's Britain we've invited our history teacher friend Paul along to talk all things Northern. Lancashire born Paul, leads us through through the history of the iconic seaside town of Blackpool, it's Pleasure Beach, drag scene and social culture. And his alternative landmark has a very similar flavour... You can…

1
25: Rugby School 47:38

2y ago47:38

47:38

Closing Season 3 of the Benjamin's Britain podcast, is our guest (and Ben's dad) Steven Salamon. After a recent trip to Rugby on Super Saturday, Ben and Steven talk about their day touring the famous school, it's educational and sporting history and their watching Rugby in town where it all began. This episodes alternative landmark takes us to thei…

1
24: Walmer Beach 42:52

2y ago42:52

42:52

Dan Gouldman joins Ben and Nicky to talk everything landmark soundtracks, the Roman invasion of Britain and persuading Ben to get into battle re-enactment. As if he didn't have enough to be getting on with. Dan's alternative landmark pick takes us to East Anglia on a lovely punting trip. You can now buy us a coffee if you enjoy our episodes - https…

1
23: Ironbridge 45:22

2y ago45:22

45:22

Guest Ollie Cox joins us for our first ever in-person episode recording. Ollie transports us back to Victorian Shropshire in the height of the industrial revolution, to discuss not only his main landmark choice of "Ironbridge" but also his alternative landmark. You will, quite literally, be taken on a journey through history on this episode so we h…

1
22: Coleman's Mustard Works 49:41

2y ago49:41

49:41

Some landmarks are niche, and the one Hava Kranat joins us to talk about today is no exception. In the height of football World Cup fever in 2018 she joined Ben for a trip to Coleman's Mustard Works just outside of Norwich. It turns out that it was one of the hardest landmarks to access so far. As a London Underground expert, it is no surprise that…

1
21: Tower of London 49:03

2y ago49:03

49:03

Literary research fellow, sheep expert and self-confessed nerd, Dr Briony Wickes, delivers a HUGE landmark for this episode of the Benjamin's Britain podcast. Briony, Nicky and Ben discuss a trip with their friends to the exclusive Ceremony of the Keys. The traditional 'locking of the tower' has taken place for over 700 years at 9.53pm every night …

1
20: Cheddar Gorge 45:03

2y ago45:03

45:03

This episode, with guest Australian-based Diane Broinshtein, is one of two halves. Diane woke up early to talk about her trip with Ben to the oldest site in the landmarks book, Gough's Cave in Cheddar Gorge, where the remain of a Mesolithic (7100BC) man was found in the Victorian era. To balance the books, Diane's alternative landmark brings us rig…

1
19: Durham 52:35

2+ y ago52:35

52:35

The tables are turned for this episode with Nicky's sister Jenny as the podcast guest. Jenny secretly loves being dragged on her sisters-friends landmarking trips and actually hosted them in Durham back in 2018, which is the focus of this episode. Jenny's a HUGE theatre nerd, so it may not be surprising that this comes up in the later part of the s…

1
18: Brunel's Thames Tunnel 49:52

2+ y ago49:52

49:52

Welcome back to Season 3 of Benjamin's Britain, the podcast where we discuss Ben Salamon's mad scheme of visiting all 500 sites in Clive Aslett's "Landmarks of Britain". Joining Ben is regular co-host Nicky Pavitt and Ben's oldest friend Chris "Brunel-fanboy" Jones. Chris is a fellow Welshman, chartered engineer, rugby lover and has a lot to say ab…

1
17: The Roman Baths 30:23

2+ y ago30:23

30:23

Our season finale! We finish off our season with some 'on location' clips from Ben's trip to visit Nicky in Bath, a city with a landmark so good they named itself after it. After a few extra bonus clips from the series Ben and Nicky wrap up by discussing the four landmarks in Bath that Clive Aslet put in his book "Landmarks of Britain: The Five Hun…

1
16: Pineapples 32:23

3y ago32:23

32:23

It's Part 1 of our season finale. It's been a fantastic season and we've had some incredible guests. To celebrate the Summer we have put together some clips you haven't yet heard. This includes a trip a trip to where the first ever pineapple was grown in Britain, the great fire of Exeter (hotel) and the future of the monarchy in Australia. To be co…

1
15: Battle of Tewkesbury 44:56

3y ago44:56

44:56

Ben's brother Dan Salamon, joins Nicky and Ben to discuss a trip to Tewkesbury, home to a Wars of the Roses battle site, and how Ben blackmailed him into it. We also discuss the musical mastery of Horrible Histories, historical Disney films and Dan's alternative landmark, Big Joe at Birmingham University. You can now buy us a coffee if you enjoy ou…

1
14: Jodrell Bank Observatory 37:09

3y ago37:09

37:09

Matthew Carr, radiographer and resident science expert, joins Ben and Nicky to talk about Jodrell Bank - Not a bank, but home to the giant Lovell Telescope in Cheshire. Since the 1950's it has been one of the biggest and most powerful radio telescopes in the world and had a part to play in the Cold War. Matt's alternative landmark isn't far from wh…

1
13: Exeter Cathedral 42:26

3y ago42:26

42:26

As if we needed any more excuses to talk about Exeter! Fellow Exeter Alumni and Ben's former Uni housemate Jack Mead joins us to discuss the city's landmark, the cathedral. Jack, drama grad and primary school teacher, stayed in Exeter post graduation and is now bringing up his family there so is pretty much a local expert. He also talks to us about…

1
12: Eyam 43:59

3y ago43:59

43:59

14 months of quarantine - Sound familiar? That's what the village of Eyam had to do when The Great Plague made it's way to their village in Derbyshire in 1665. Classics teacher, baker and vegetable grower, Vic Boorman joins Nicky and Ben to throwback to their timely trip to Eyam in Summer 2020. Vic also lets us in on a lesser known historical hobby…

1
11: Ely 42:24

3y ago42:24

42:24

Our guest for this episode is Amie Liebowitz, an Australian broadcast journalist living in the UK, who first met Ben a decade ago. Amie talks to us about learning British history in a Commonwealth country, her trip with Ben to Ely, its 'English Braveheart' and a cheese-inspired alternative landmark. You can now buy us a coffee if you enjoy our epis…

1
10: St Paul's Cathedral 46:38

3y ago46:38

46:38

Sam Horton joins us to discuss his record breaking day of visiting 12 historical landmarks in a day with Ben, focusing on the iconic St Paul's Cathedral. Staying on the theme of architecture and religion, Sam's alternative landmark pick is also in London and is probably one of the most visually stunning to date. You can now buy us a coffee if you e…

1
9: Iona 39:45

3y ago39:45

39:45

We're back for Season 2! Starting where we left off, we're back to Scotland for a trip down memory lane with Gemma Cowen. Gemma is a self confessed history novice, music and culture lover and proud Scot. They discuss Ben and Gemma's trip to one of the most remote landmarks on Aslett's book, the Isle of Iona, as well as some equine based mythology a…

1
Bonus: Britain's First Fish and Chip Shop 40:37

3y ago40:37

40:37

As a thank you for listening to Season 1 of Benjamin's Britain, Nicky and Ben have put together a bonus episode to entertain you before Season 2 starts is released in the Spring. This episodes features unheard clips from all of the seasons guests, including revisiting controversial landmark ratings, bonus historical facts, an exploration into the '…

1
8: The Glenlivet Distillery 46:51

3+ y ago46:51

46:51

Ash Tezoo joins us over a wee dram for the final episode of the season. We discuss a trip to Inverness in June 2017, getting tipsy at a historical landmark and the connection an arts centre in Ash's hometown of Bishop's Stortford has with one of the most controversial colonial figures in history. You can now buy us a coffee if you enjoy our episode…

1
7: Caerleon 41:53

3+ y ago41:53

41:53

You could say that this episode's guest is responsible for the whole Benjamin's Britain project in more ways than one... it's Ben's Mum, Corrine Manning. Nicky asks them about one of their many trips to Caerleon, the Roman town in South Wales, which is home to ancient baths and an ampitheatre. Corrine then transports us to a childhood favourite, Ha…

1
6: Offa's Dyke 45:46

3+ y ago45:46

45:46

Scout leader and former colleague of Bens, Simon Leigh is this episodes guest. In amongst the madness of 2020, Simon and Ben took a 50km hike across part of Offa's Dyke, the original border of Mercia and Powys (England and Wales). They discuss their two day trip as well as Simon's alternative landmark, the Isle of Bute, the location of one of Brita…

1
5: Hell Fire Caves 44:22

3+ y ago44:22

44:22

Alex Fenton, holder of a MA in History, craft beer connoisseur and a self proclaimed map lover, has joined Ben for trips to over 70 landmarks around Britain! In this episode Alex and Ben reminisce about a trip to the notoriously scandalous Hell Fire Caves close to his home town of High Wycombe. Alex's alternative landmark then takes us to the East …

1
4: Paradise Mill 43:14

3+ y ago43:14

43:14

This episode's guest is Diana Szteinberg, guitar playing, travel-loving Bolivian. They discuss what history lessons are like in Bolivia and Nicky asks Ben and Diana to relive their trip to Paradise Mill and Macclesfield mere weeks before the first UK lockdown. To round of the episode Diana adds to the Benjamin's' Britain alternative landmarks list …

1
3: American Landmarks of Britain 53:03

3+ y ago53:03

53:03

It's US election week and this bonus episode Ben and Nicky explore American Landmarks in Britain. They discuss their visit to Boston, Lincolnshire and it's connection with the US (you can probably guess), how Pocahontas became a resident of Kent and how accurately Hamilton portrays the 'Special Relationship' between our two countries. You can now b…

1
2: Tilbury Fort 46:03

3+ y ago46:03

46:03

Our first guest! In this episode of Benjamin's Britain, Ben and Nicky are joined by Alex Green, Essex native, Brighton FC superfan and historical landmark sceptic. They discuss Alex and Ben's trip to Tilbury Fort and it's link with Elizabeth I and Alex's guest selection, former football ground, the Goldstone Retail Park, as well as the role recent …

1
1: Churchill War Rooms 44:22

3+ y ago44:22

44:22

In the very first episode of Benjamin's Britain, Ben and Nicky discuss visiting the Churchill War Rooms, the "greatest Briton of all time" and the first women's higher education college in the UK. You can now buy us a coffee if you enjoy our episodes - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/benjaminsbritain We'd love you to subscribe and rate us on when you …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Ben Salamon Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Benjamin's Britain

Ben Salamon and Nicky Pavitt

1
31: Trellick Tower 48:45

1
30: Buckler's Hard 40:25

1
29: Mary Rose and HMS Victory 49:53

1
28: Milford Haven 48:55

1
27: Kenilworth Castle 52:25

1
26: Blackpool Pleasure Beach 48:54

1
25: Rugby School 47:38

1
24: Walmer Beach 42:52

1
23: Ironbridge 45:22

1
22: Coleman's Mustard Works 49:41

1
21: Tower of London 49:03

1
20: Cheddar Gorge 45:03

1
19: Durham 52:35

1
18: Brunel's Thames Tunnel 49:52

1
17: The Roman Baths 30:23

1
16: Pineapples 32:23

1
15: Battle of Tewkesbury 44:56

1
14: Jodrell Bank Observatory 37:09

1
13: Exeter Cathedral 42:26

1
12: Eyam 43:59

1
11: Ely 42:24

1
10: St Paul's Cathedral 46:38

1
9: Iona 39:45

1
Bonus: Britain's First Fish and Chip Shop 40:37

1
8: The Glenlivet Distillery 46:51

1
7: Caerleon 41:53

1
6: Offa's Dyke 45:46

1
5: Hell Fire Caves 44:22

1
4: Paradise Mill 43:14

1
3: American Landmarks of Britain 53:03

1
2: Tilbury Fort 46:03

1
1: Churchill War Rooms 44:22

Quick Reference Guide