CHALKE History Festival, the UK’s leading celebration of history, will return from 22nd to 28th June to bring the past vividly to life through a rich programme of top-class talks, wide-ranging discussions and dynamic living history experiences. The line-up includes classicist Mary Beard, radio presenter and journalist James Naughtie, commentator Anne Applebaum, former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci and novelist and historian Kate Mosse.
Attracting large numbers of visitors from home and abroad, the festival is a celebration of curiosity, critical thinking and the power of storytelling, bringing together many of the world’s most respected historians, authors and thinkers to explore the people, events and ideas that have shaped our world.
From ancient civilisations to modern global history, the programme offers audiences of all ages the chance to engage directly with history’s biggest stories, the debates they continue to inspire today and an opportunity to meet expert historians face-to-face in an informal, festival atmosphere.
Best-selling author and Britain’s most celebrated classicist Mary Beard makes her Chalke debut when she chats with her son Raphael Cormack about family histories and why the deep past really does affect us all.
The festival will also be marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence with a series of events including renowned American journalist and commentator Anne Applebaum with radio presenter and journalist James Naughtie, and Simon Jenkins presenting his latest book A Short History of America: From Tea Party to Trump. Returning to Chalke, Anthony Scaramucci will discuss the road to war in the 1920s and 30s with historian and festival creative director James Holland.
The Chalke History Festival for Schools will run on the first three days: primary schools on Monday 22nd June and secondary schools on Tuesday 23rd; Wednesday 24th is ear-marked for SEND pupils who might prefer a quieter atmosphere.
Speakers already confirmed include Ben Kane talking about Roman Britain, Kate Mosse discussing feminist history, Thomas Asbridge speaking about the global impact of The Black Death. Other topics include legendary war correspondent Lee Miller, the change from the Tudor to the Stuart dynasties, the history of medicine, the Cold War, the Second World War, migration, America 250 and medieval women.
Other speakers in the main festival programme include Antony Beevor on Rasputin, the wild mystic who laid the ground for the Russian Revolution; Kate Williams on her book Regina: A New History of Women and Power; Alice Loxton on following in the footsteps of Eleanor of Castile; Lawrence Freedman on strategists and strategy; historical novelist Elodie Harper on Boudicca’s Daughter; Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Jesse Norman and former chief economist at the Bank of England Andy Haldane on the 250th anniversary of the Wealth of Nations; and Tracy Borman on her new novel The House of Boleyn. (Photo: Antony Beevor)
The programme of workshops gives a rare insight into the world of historic crafts and activities, including interactive sessions for schools exploring historic games, medieval calligraphy, tablet weaving and bookbinding and stone-carving. More details on the website.
Music by the bar helps to create a real festival atmosphere in the evenings and over the weekend. At the start of the week, the focus is on music with traditional roots; the barn dance will return on Thursday night; Friday night has ABBA tribute act Super Trouper; and on Saturday, there is vintage melodies from the D-Day Darlings, followed by The Brass Funkeys, with their groove and infectious energy.
The Chalke Introduces programme, which gives a platform to up and coming young historians, will return after its successful launch in 2025, with rising stars Hetta Howes, Verity Babbs, Jess Venner and Adam Hart already confirmed.
Three and seven-day tickets are on sale and the full programme and day tickets will be available from 22nd April. Under-16s can attend for free and early bird pricing is available until 21st April. Chalke History Festival is at Church Bottom, Broad Chalke. For more details visit www.chalkefestival.com
• Chalke Valley History Festival’s slogan is: history is our compass, guiding us as we navigate our complex world
Photographs of living history participants and historic equitation by Ash Mills; photograph of Mary Beard © Caterina Turroni and Lion TV