Folk sensation Sam Lee's Nest Collective and English Heritage announce today the launch of 'Songs of England', a digital collection of 12 traditional songs and videos paired to historic sites in the care of the charity from Dover Castle to Hadrian’s Wall.

Curated by Sam Lee and English Heritage to offer an armchair escape into England’s story during lockdown 'Songs of England' weaves together original performances produced by The Nest Collective, including Bellowhead’s Jon Boden and folk scholar/singer Fay Hield, with narration and film of England’s most evocative historic sites from Dover Castle to Whitby Abbey, Hadrian’s Wall to Tintagel Castle.

In the pivotal track, performed by Sam, Stonehenge forms the backdrop for a rendition of 'John Barleycorn'. The landscape's burial mounds a fitting match for this dark allegorical tale of man, buried in a field, who grows again only to be cut down and ground like barley to make beer.

Matt Thompson, English Heritage Head Collections Curator, said: "Sam Lee and the musicians featured by The Nest Collective are tremendously talented. The songs, and their performances, are in perfect harmony with the sites in our care. As a charity we want to inspire people to step into England’s story and while we may not all be able to visit in person at the moment, being transported through these beautiful songs is a wonderful journey in itself."

Sam Lee said: "It has been a great privilege to create this collection, taking inspiration from the epic historic sites English Heritage looks after. We hope these songs inspire a fresh connection with the history and spirit of these remarkable places, and engage people everywhere with tradition, stories of the land around them and the folk history of our ancestors."

The songs and films, narrated by Sam Lee and Matt Thompson and sung by musicians featured by The Nest Collective are available through a specially created digital map on the English Heritage website - voicesmap.english-heritage.org.uk. The 'Songs of England' are also available on Spotify.

Old Sarum Castle - Wiltshire
Salisbury Plain performed by Alice Zawadzki

Wrest Park - Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire May Carol performed by Dila Vardar
With additional performances from Ellie Wilson (violin), Christopher Schlechte-Bond and Thom Ashworth

Dover Castle - Kent
A Ship To Old England Came performed by Mara Carlyle

Tintagel - Cornwall
Sweet Nightingale performed by Lisa Knapp
Mix by Gerry Diver

Carlisle Castle - Cumbria
The Lady of Carlisle performed by Lucy Farrell
With additional performances from Ellie Wilson (violin).

Stonehenge, Wiltshire
John Barleycorn performed by Sam Lee
With additional performances from Ellie Wilson (violin).

Whitby Abbey, Yorkshire
Whitby Lad performed by Fay Hield
With additional performances from Ellie Wilson (violin).

Hadrian's Wall, North East
When Fortune Turns the Wheel performed by The Brothers Gillespie
With additional performances from Ellie Wilson (violin).

Iron Bridge, Shropshire
Four Loom Weaver performed by Abel Selaocoe

Audley End, Essex
The Old Garden Gate performed by Bea Hankey

Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
High Germany performed by Jon Boden

Richmond Castle and Cells - Yorkshire
Peat Bog Soldiers performed by Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith

Music Direction and Mastering by Thom Ashworth
Series Original Music and Arrangements by Christopher Schlechte-Bond