From a recording at Chalke Valley History Festival 2017. Come and sit down at the royal table and open the kitchen door to hear about what Victoria ate, and how she changed English food forever. Based on intriguing original research, historian Annie Gray shows the Queen’s absolute reliance on food as well as delving below stairs for a proper look at the cooks who played such an important role.

Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2017. Three distinguished authors of books for children, Kate Hubbard, Andrew Billen and Amanda Mitchison give an entertaining and informative introduction to historical figures. We hear about Victoria, just 11 when she realised her destiny was to become Queen; the gripping life of Charles Dickens which fed into his work; and the incredible story of David Livingstone who stopped at nothing to be the first white man to explore Africa.

Queen Victoria ruled from 20 June 1837 to 22 January 1901, making her the second longest reigning monarch in Britain. To many she is thought of as a dour, rigid monarch - perhaps because she is oftentimes seen dressed in black and with a downturned expression in her portraits. However, the real Queen was engaged with her work and remained interested in her subjects across the globe for over 63 years. Here are five things you may be surprised to find out about the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India

Audio from Chalke Valley History Festival for Schools 2017 with Kate Hubbard.