By the end of the 19th century, John Ruskin - sage, social critic, artist, scientist, environmental  campaigner - was perhaps the most famous living Victorian apart from Queen Victoria herself (who was also born 200 years ago this year).

Audio from Chalke Valley History Festival 2018 with Christopher Lloyd. Christopher Lloyd is a world history author, educationalist and lecturer. He specializes in presenting giant sweeping narratives that aim to create a more natural, interconnected perspective on the past.

Dan talks to James about his current work, his love of sharing history knowledge via the internet and his career highlights.

Paul Beaver talks about what to expect at our Air Show this year..

Michael Morpurgo talks to us about writing historical novels and what inspired him to tell the amazing story of Henry Tandey, the most decorated soldier in World War One.

Want to learn how a First World War trench is constructed? We are doing just that, using authentic methods and materials, official period manuals, as well as drawing upon the testimonies of those who built and fought in them, this will be as close a representation of what a First World War trench was like as is possible.

At this year’s festival we are very excited to have created a scale section of a First World War trench.  Built by a team of experts and local volunteers, and using authentic methods and materials, official period manuals, as well as drawing upon the testimonies of those who built and fought in them, this will be as close a representation of what a WWI trench was like as is possible.

Audio from Jon Snow's talk at Chalke Valley History Festival on Sunday, 29th June.

Notorious broadcaster and journalist Jeremy Paxman discusses with Xander Drury his recent book 'Great Britain's Great War' as well as sharing his thoughts on his role as the 'Grand Inquisitor' and life after leaving Newsnight.

Co-founder of Chalke Valley History Festival, James Heneage, looks ahead to the action-packed weekend at this year's festival, picking out some of the most eye-catching highlights from the extensive programme of speakers and Living History displays.

Acclaimed broadcaster, journalist and writer Charles Glass talks about all things Syria, reflecting with Xander Drury on how the conflict has descended into such global crisis whilst also affording some thoughts on what is still to come in the future.

As the action-packed weekend at this year's festival begins to come into sight, Helen Castor and BBC Radio 4's Making History are calling on YOU to join in the debate when Historiansʼ Question Time returns to the Chalke Valley History Festival this Sunday.

Auschwitz survivor Freddie Knoller shares with Xander Drury his amazing story of survival. Knoller fought in the French Resistance  before being betrayed after a failed love affair and was arrested by the Gestapo.  Tortured, he was eventually sent to Auschwitz but survived both that and the Death March of January 1945. Here Knoller reveals how it was his optimistic outlook that pulled him through such unprecedented toils.

Veteran war correspondent and reporter Kate Adie talks on Day One at CVHF 2014, discussing with Xander Drury her glittering career in journalism as well as her latest book 'Fighting on the Homefront: The Legacy of Women in World War One'.

Veteran war correspondent and reporter Kate Adie talks on Day One at CVHF 2014, discussing with Xander Drury her glittering career in journalism as well as her latest book 'Fighting on the Homefront: The Legacy of Women in World War One'.

Xander Drury interviews leading historian and broadcaster Dan Snow on the opening day of Chalke Valley History Festival 2014, speaking on what makes history such an important and special subject as well as sharing his thoughts on D-Day, the World Cup and Twitter.

The Pritzker Literature Award, which includes a medallion, citation, and $100,000 honorarium, recognizes and honours the contributions of a living author for a body of work dedicated to enriching the understanding of military history.

What is going on? It seems that for at least a generation all significant attempts by government and educationalists to nurture a love of reading amongst younger people appear to have failed.

The last video exclusive interview with actress Joanna Lumley at CVHF13, talking with Xander Drury about her involvement in this year's CVHF writing prize whilst also sharing how it was to work alongside Martin Scorcese and Leonardo DiCaprio in her recent film 'The Wolf of Wall Street'.

Our penultimate video exclusive from this year's festival as Xander Drury talks to writer Charlie Higson about his latest zombie-packed adventure in The Enemy series, his time on 'The Fast Show' and the key to writing thrilling historical fiction.

An exclusive interview with Justin Pollard, historical advisor on everything from 'Pirates of the Caribbean' to 'The Tudors' as he discusses with John Fry his new history panel show 'Histrionics' and shares his delight at being involved in this year's festival.

the secrets behind its unprecedented success and the plans for next year's festival.

An exclusive interview with the award-winning actor Rupert Everett alongside the award-winning playwright Sir Tom Stoppard talking Oscar Wilde with Xander Drury on the last day of CVHF13.

It is already becoming something of a tradition for the Festival to lay on something slightly lighter-hearted on the Friday evening, and so this year CVHF came up with something entirely new: a brand new history quiz show, combining deep historical knowledge with razor-sharp wit.

An exclusive interview with Ian Hislop at CVHF13, discussing with Xander Drury his fascination with Britain's 'Stiff Upper Lip', his 23 years on 'Have I Got News For You' and his take on Boris Johnson's unstoppable rise.

An exclusive interview with eminent historian Michael Wood from Day Five of CVHF13, considering with Xander Drury the secrets behind his glittering career in broadcasting.

An exclusive interview with Scottish historian Neil Oliver at CVHF13, discussing his latest book on the Vikings, the appeal of Scottish history and his stance on Scottish independence.

Exclusively for the CVHF website, Mayor of London Boris Johnson afforded some time ahead of his talk at Chalke Valley History Festival 2013 discussing with Xander Drury

An exclusive interview with CVHF patron Antony Beevor ahead of his talk on Day Four of CVHF13, discussing with Xander Drury the unprecedented success of his best-selling book 'Stalingrad' and his ground-breaking approach to writing history.

Xander Drury interviews leading classicist Tom Holland at the Chalke Valley History Festival 2013, shedding light on his love for cricket, his thoughts on the fall of the Roman Empire and his excitement ahead of debating alongside Boris Johnson on Saturday.

Xander Drury catches up with Charles Moore on Day Three of the Chalke Valley History Festival 2013. As the authorized biographer of Margaret Thatcher, he discusses his approach to the first volume 'Not For Turning' and speculates her place in history.

Click the link below to listen to an interview with Stephen Alford following his talk on the influence of spies and espionage during the reign of Elizabeth I. Interviewer: Xander Drury.

Following his talk on the 'Cockleshell Heroes', Xander Drury caught up with Paddy Ashdown as he discusses his latest book and shares his thoughts on the 2015 General Election and the changes to the history curriculum.

Click the link below to listen to a brief conversation with historian Laurence Rees, author of ‘The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler’. Interviewer: Xander Drury