LATEST NEWS
Headline speakers already confirmed as dazzling 2026 lineup takes shape
13.02.26
Set in the heart of the stunning Wiltshire countryside, the Chalke History Festival - the UK’s leading celebration of history – will return from 22nd to 28th June 2026to bring the past vividly to life through a rich programme of top-class talks, wide-ranging discussions, striking performances and dynamic living history experiences.
Read MoreNew Schools Hub to give free access to history like never before.
01.10.25
The Chalke History Festival, supported by lead partner Evelyn Partners, has launched a ground-breaking new Schools Hub, receiving a generous donation of £100,000 from the KM Foundation.
Read MoreChalke History Festival goes off with a bang!
07.07.25
Chalke History Festival 2025 goes off with a bang! With over 25,000 visitors, the Chalke History Festival, supported by lead partner Evelyn Partners, has enjoyed its most successful week in the festival’s 14-year history.
Read MoreAfter Dark Programme – Evenings at Chalke
29.05.25
We have a packed programme of evening events all week at Chalke for you to enjoy including performances, music, talks, fireside chats and more - even regular performances of Shakespeare's Henry V! Plus, with our luxury dining, glamping and camping options, you never need to leave.
Read More14.05.25
Chalke Introduces: Meet the Future of History At this year’s Chalke History Festival, we’re shining a spotlight on the rising stars from the world of History.
Read MoreWW2 – Learn more about the Second World War at Chalke History Festival 2025
01.05.25
WW2 - Learn more about the Second World War at Chalke History Festival 2025 On 8 May 1945 following Germany’s unconditional surrender, celebrations erupted across Britain and the Allied nations, marking the end of nearly six years of war in Europe.
Read MoreThe Greatest Historical Show in Town: Full Lineup Announced and Tickets Now on Sale
30.04.25
The full line-up for the 2025 Chalke History Festival, supported by lead partner Evelyn Partners, has been announced and tickets are now on sale.
Read MorePizza Roman-Empire: Archaeologists Unearth World’s First ‘Chariot’ Delivery Service!
01.04.25
Archaeologists in Italy have uncovered a remarkable find near the ancient city of Pompeii – a well-preserved Roman chariot that experts believe may have been used for the world’s first pizza deliveries.
Read MoreChalke History Festival 2025: A Fresh Approach, Bigger Events & Exciting Firsts!
07.03.25
The eagerly anticipated Chalke History Festival returns this summer from 23rd to 29th June, promising an unparalleled celebration of history with a star-studded lineup of world-renowned historians, the nation’s finest living history experts, and an array of household names.
Read MoreJob Vacancy: Development Director
04.02.25
We are looking to hire a part-time Development Director who will lead all fund-raising activities for Chalke History Festival and the Chalke History Trust covering both commercial sponsorship of the festival and fund-raising from major donors, charitable organisations and patrons.
Read MoreEvelyn Partners Announced as Lead Partner for Chalke History Festival 2025
28.01.25
The Chalke History Festival is thrilled to announce award-winning wealth management group Evelyn Partners as its new lead festival partner. This multi-year partnership comes at a crucial time when the financial stability of cultural events across the UK is under scrutiny.
Read MoreJames Holland: A Letter from the Creative Director
11.11.24
Furious plotting and planning is underway for the 2025 Chalke History Festival to bring you a more exciting, relevant and varied programme than ever before.
Read MoreChalke Talks Live – Winston Churchill: 150th Anniversary
22.10.24
Winston Churchill towers over twentieth-century British history. By the time of his death at the age of 90 in 1965, many thought him to be the greatest man in the world.
Read MoreChalke History Festival 2024 Roundup: Thirteen and Thriving
13.09.24
They say 13 is unlucky for some, but not for us! Chalke History Festival’s 13th year was nothing short of extraordinary - breaking records, dazzling audiences, and basking in glorious sunshine.
Read MoreChalke History Festival 2024: A Week of Discovery and Delight
03.09.24
As part of her work experience, Emily delved into the rich tapestry of historical events, engaging talks, and immersive performances that make the festival a unique celebration of our past.
Read MoreExplore the Iconic World of Car Design at Chalke
07.06.24
Explore the Iconic World of Car Design at Chalke History Festival 2024 In an era when the automobile has become homogenised and digitised, Jason Barlow, Editor at Large for BBC Top Gear Magazine, and Richard Sutton, writer and TV presenter, discuss the vital questions.
Read MoreThe Nature of Power: Leaders, Empires, Media, Corporations and People Power
04.06.24
We wanted to look at the effects of individual power through history – whether a tribal chief, a king or queen, or a modern autocrat. But we also wanted to think about different aspects of power too. In the modern world, for example, global businesses are some of the wealthiest and well-known brands across the globe, whether Apple, Nike, Microsoft or Tesla.
Read More04.06.24
When it finally ended in 1945 most assumed nothing like it could ever be repeated yet we find ourselves today watching another European war where the slaughter and scale of destruction recall that that earlier devastating war.
Read More04.06.24
Curated by historian, author, broadcaster and social media sensation Alice Loxton, this programme will present a number of historians and thinkers who may not yet be household names but who are definitely ones to watch out for.
Read More24.05.24
We strongly believe that history is the compass that guides us to the present and prepares us for the future, and we’re also very mindful that we currently live in turbulent times.
Read MoreWW2 – Learn more about the Second World War at Chalke History Festival 2024
24.05.24
Chalke History Festival has a variety of WW2-related talks, experiences and performances, to interest and inspire everyone from newcomers to Second World War aficionados.
Read MorePodcasting royalty at Chalke 2024!
03.05.24
Rest is History’s Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland, WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk’s James Holland and Al Murray, and Rest is Money’s Robert Peston are just some of the big names appearing at the Chalke History Festival this year. Find out more about who’s coming and when.
Read MoreLatest Programme Announcements
21.03.24
2024 is going to be historic in a number of ways. Not only does it mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and the largest amphibious invasion in military history during the Second World War, but it will also bear witness to a truly remarkable milestone in human history.
Read MoreChalke History Festival 2024 – Biggest And Best Yet!
22.02.24
Over the past decade, the Chalke History Festival has firmly established itself as one of the must-attend events of the year.
Read More