21 - 27 June 2027 - Broad Chalke, Salisbury

Festival

Join the Chalke History Club

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Membership

Enjoy Chalke year-round by joining the Chalke History Club, with access to past talks, exclusive online events and festival benefits. (2026 talks added in the autumn)

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Henge

Included

17:30 - 18:15
Fri, 26 June
92. The Arab Hall: Frederic Leighton – Traveller and Collector
Henge

You are invited to step inside ‘the most beautiful room in London’. Melanie Gibson explores the life and passions of Frederic Leighton; painter, traveller, and obsessive collector. Best known for his luminous canvases, Leighton also created a home that was itself a masterpiece: a place where art, travel, and imagination converged. At its heart lies the extraordinary ‘Arab Hall’, a shimmering space of golden light, intricate tiles, and global influences gathered from across the Middle East. Discover the stories behind these objects; how they were found, why they mattered, and what they reveal about a man captivated by beauty, culture, and craftsmanship. This is a journey into artistic ambition, cross-cultural exchange, and one of London’s most breathtaking interiors.

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The Festival will return in 2027! 21st - 27th June, 2027. Keep up to date on all the festival news, including the latest line up announcements.

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