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Explore the wealth of stimulating talks, enthralling performances and interactive experiences, the Chalke History Festival has to offer.
SPEAKERS
Each year we gather the best and brightest to bring history to life and reflect on our world today. We’re adding new speakers all the time – see the full list of speakers below and sign up to our newsletter for all the updates.
Anthony Scaramucci
White House Communications Director, turned fierce Trump critic, Anthony Scaramucci, is joining us again – after packed talk tents and standing ovations at last year’s festival. This year, he’ll be speaking about the Road to War in the 1920’s and 30’s with our very own James Holland – on Monday evening, 22 June 2026.
Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. He co-hosts two podcasts, “The Rest Is Politics US” and “Open Book,” and has authored six books, including The Little Book of Bitcoin. Prior to SkyBridge, he co-founded Oscar Capital, and worked at Goldman Sachs. Scaramucci was ranked #47 in Cointelegraph’s Top 100 Influencers in Crypto (2022). He served on Donald Trump’s Presidential Transition Team and briefly as White House Communications Director. He holds a BA in Economics from Tufts University and a JD from Harvard Law School.
Jim Naughtie
Jim Naughtie is one of Britain’s most respected broadcasters and a long-standing presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Over a distinguished career, he has interviewed world leaders, reported from major global events, and shaped political journalism for decades. He is also the author of several books on politics, history, and international affairs.
Antony Beevor
Sir Antony Beevor FRSL, FRHistS, was a regular officer with the 11th Hussars, he left the Army after five years to write. He has published four novels, and thirteen books of non-fiction. His work has appeared in thirty-five foreign languages and sold more than eight million copies. According to the Bookseller, ‘Beevor is the bestselling historian of the BookScan era’. Stalingrad won the first Samuel Johnson Prize, the Wolfson Prize for History and the Hawthornden Prize for Literature in 1999. Berlin – The Downfall 1945 was a No. 1 Bestseller in seven countries apart from Britain, and in the top five in another nine countries. The book received the first Longman-History Today Trustees’ Award. D-Day – The Battle for Normandy, The Second World War, Ardennes 1944 – Hitler’s Last Gamble, Arnhem – The Battle for the Bridges and his latest book, Russia: Revolution and Civil War 1917-1921, were all international bestsellers. He has received numerous honours, awards and honorary degrees and in 2017 was knighted.
Saul David
Saul David is a best-selling historian and broadcaster. His recent books include Operation Thunderbolt (turned into the movie Entebbe), SBS: Silent Warriors, Devil Dogs and Sky Warriors: British Airborne Forces in the Second World War and his upcoming book, Tunisgrad: Victory in Africa, releases in September. He co-hosts the Battleground podcast with Patrick Bishop.
Alice Loxton
Alice Loxton is a historian, presenter, and bestselling author who has built a huge global audience through social media and television. She presents BBC history programmes and writes accessible, youth-focused history books including Uproar! and Eighteen. She is one of the most influential young voices in public history today.
Anne Applebaum
Anne Applebaum is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and journalist, renowned for her writing on communism, authoritarianism, and modern Europe. Her bestselling books include Gulag, Iron Curtain, and Twilight of Democracy. She writes for The Atlantic and is one of the world’s leading commentators on democracy, freedom, and political history.
Gordon Corera
Gordon Corera is a journalist and writer on intelligence and security issues. From 2004 - 2024, he was the BBC's Security Correspondent where he covered terrorism, cyber security, the work of intelligence agencies and other national security issues. He now co-hosts The Rest is Classified podcast with former CIA analyst and spy novelist, David McCloskey. He recently published 'The Spy in the Archive' - a non-fiction account of a former Soviet Union KGB librarian.
James Holland
James Holland is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning historian, writer, and broadcaster. The author of many best-selling histories including Fortress Malta, Battle of Britain, Dam Busters, The War In The West, Brothers In Arms, most recently, The Savage Storm. He also writes historical fiction and has presented and written several television programmes. James is co-host of the popular Second World War podcast, We Have Ways Of Making You Talk.
IMMERSIVE HISTORY
Our living history encampments range from the Stone Age through to the Second World War and offer an opportunity to sample the sights, sounds and smells of the past. Our historians are all experts in their field and are actively learning more about our predecessors from the process of living with and using the materials of earlier ages.
RATTLEBOX THEATRE & ANGELHEART THEATRE
From Wednesday to Sunday, Rattlebox Theatre and Angel Heart Theatre will be enchanting audiences with their performances of The Misadventures of Thor. Tall, brave, strong…but none too bright. Sometimes his days aren’t full of heroic thunder, but instead are filled with hapless blunder!
These ancient Nordic tales are brought to you by Ulf and Odd, two skalds, or storytellers, in a comedic romp through the life and times of the Viking gods. Rattlebox and Angel Heart Theatre present this family show with their usual flair for skilfully blending puppetry, storytelling and larger-than-life characters into a performance full of wonder and delight! Suitable for everyone over 4 years.
THE HISTORY MAKER
Discover the amazing, true story of the daring British raid on Taranto harbour, based on interviews with Lieutenant Commander John Wellham D.S.C., Pilot of Swordfish E5H of 824 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm.
In late 1940, Italy had the largest, most modern fleet in the world, moored in Taranto harbour, the largest, most heavily defended harbour in the world. Taranto provided an excellent base for the Italian Navy to hide whilst still being able to attack crucial and vulnerable shipping supply routes. How could the British neutralise the Italian fleet?
FOREIGN FIELD
Paul Bavill, Rory Ware and Kyle Glover are three hugely talented costumed historical interpreters who will be demonstrating martial skills, dark crimes and hidden heroics in a mix of history that stretches from the Middle Ages to the Second World War. From 15th-century armoured combat to the artful techniques of Victorian self-defence, don’t miss their unique blend of action, education, and comedy.
HISTORY’S MAID: TRAILBLAZING WOMEN
Historian and performer Dr Kate Vigurs brings to life the extraordinary stories of trailblazing women who shaped the course of the Second World War. Through gripping storytelling and meticulous research, she uncovers the courage, resilience and daring of those who operated in the shadows and on the front lines.
From Vera Atkins and her relentless search for SOE’s missing agents, to the escape networks led by Mary Lindell, and the fearless reporting of Lee Miller, these powerful performances reveal lives lived with extraordinary bravery. Dr Vigurs also explores the vital role of the Special Operations Executive in the lead-up to D-Day, shining a light on the women whose contributions changed history.
DIVORCED, BEHEADED, DIED: AN AUDIENCE WITH KING HENRY VIII
The year is 1544 and King Henry, the Eighth of that name, is engaged upon Royal Progress about his Realm; and has halted here to afford his Loyal Subjects the opportunity to have ‘audience’ with their Sovereign Lord and King.
The King, recently married to his new, and sixth, wife, Queen Catherine Parr, is in poor health; his leg continues to cause him considerable pain and he is often in a poor humour!
In the course of the ‘audience’, His Majesty will recount the events of his long reign; telling of his wives and his children, and His Majesty will invite his Loyal Subjects to Petition him or question him on ANY related subject : a lively Q&A is assured!
ON CUE THEATRE – THE TRAGEDIE OF MACBETH
On Cue Theatre is a new company created for Chalke History Festival by Emma Bown and Callum Coates. Both experienced Shakespearean actors – working with the Original Shakespeare Company, the Globe Theatre, the RSC, and most recently at The Bridge theatre in London – they are excited to bring you theatre in a more Elizabethan manner.
Their approach is based on evidence from the Dulwich College papers, which show that Elizabethan actors were able to present a different play each day of the week and a new play every two weeks. They worked from cue scripts (actors received the lines they needed to learn, but not the rest of the play), without directors and with minimal rehearsal. This production of William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tragedie of Macbeth’ will follow that practise, where the actors will discover the play before the audience’s eyes. It guarantees a lively, engaged performance that will keep the actors on their toes as much as the audience.
LIBERATA COLLECTIVE: ANTONIA (OPERA)
Antonia, written as an intimate retelling of the lesser-known parts of Marie Antoinette’s life story, explores the queen’s experiences through the music that surrounded her.
Expect the beautiful melodies of Gluck, Joseph de Bologne, Piccinni and rare gems by Sacchini and Dussek, performed through the historical acting style of Baroque Gesture for which the opera company Liberata Collective have become known. Music and text are interwoven, using Antonia’s personal letters; revealing the human world behind the courtly facade and illuminating the often fragile space where music and politics meet.
PRE-HISTORY TO PRESENT
Led by renowned prehistory educator Sally Pointer, our team of expert archaeologists and interpreters will be returning to shed light on life from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age. Discover prehistoric food, clothing, shelter, adornment, and technology from our ancient past.
REMAKING HISTORY – CHARIOTS OF CHALKE
Our team of intrepid artisans will draw on on ancient techniques, traditional knowledge, and heritage craft skills to reconstruct a magnificent late Iron Age Romano-British chariot. Working from archaeological evidence and classical sources, they will race against time to create a vehicle worthy of history.
LIVE MUSIC
From traditional folk to the sounds of the 80s, our live music will take you on a journey through musical history.
On the line-up so far…
- ABBA’s Angels
- The D-Day Darlings
- The Brass Funkeys
- Black Sheep
- Jackie Oates & John Spiers
PERFORMANCE
From timetabled shows to spontaneous pop-up moments, each day offers a rich blend of storytelling, hands-on activities and lively demonstrations. Whether you take a seat or stumble upon a scene as you explore, you’ll find yourself immersed in history at every turn.
- Liberata Collective: Antonia (Opera)
- On Cue Theatre – The Tragedie of Macbeth
- History’s Maid
- Foreign Field
- The History Teller
- Rattlebox Theatre and Angel Heart Theatre
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
We’ve curated an array of exciting experiences that promise to ignite your child’s curiosity and fascination with the past.
- Living History & Performers – Step back in time with thrilling re-enactments and live demonstrations, from Nelson’s navy to ancient civilisations.
- Talks for Children – Interactive, age-tailored talks that make fascinating historical stories fun, accessible, and unforgettable.
- Exciting Hands-On Experiences – Explore a WW2 trench, train as a medieval knight, and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the past.
Don’t forget – Children 15 and under enter for FREE!
Workshops & Experiences
Whether you’re learning medieval calligraphy, carving stone or exploring a Second World War trench, our hands-on Workshops and Experiences let you experience history first-hand and make memories that will last.
SOE TRAINING CAMP
Our hugely popular SOE Training Camp is back for 2026! This unique experience is the perfect opportunity for kids and adults to learn the skills and techniques of espionage from the Second World War
Introduction to Medieval Calligraphy
Discover what it’s like to be a medieval scribe with Hiow Beorht.
Introduction to Stone Carving
Join our resident stonemason Andrew Ziminski for an introduction to the art of stone carving.
THE WW2 TRENCH
Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the Second World War in our immersive Trench Experience.
