Firing up curious minds, Gloucester History Festival Spring Weekend is back at Blackfriars Priory from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 April 2025.
Bringing the UK's top historians, broadcasters and thinkers to one of Gloucester's most spellbinding historical sites, this year's theme is exile and belonging, with speakers providing their take on this from across the ages.
One of the standout highlights is set to be Life Peer Michael Heseltine sharing 40 years' worth of stories from inside Downing Street, from what it was like to be a part of Margaret Thatcher's cabinet to being John Major's deputy and David Cameron's advisor.
Other highlights include flamboyant interior designer and Cotswolds resident, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, showcasing design secrets inspired by history; bestselling author of The Five, Hallie Rubenhold, exploring the lives of Dr Crippen's women; BBC broadcaster and documentary maker, Luke Pepera, highlighting some of Africa's greatest historical figures; and host of Britain's Lost Masterpieces, Bendor Grosvenor, taking a deep dive into the history of British art and what makes it so revered.
For fans of Jilly Cooper's Rivals, the owners of filming location Chavenage House give audiences an exclusive peek inside the renowned historic house; author of The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England, Ian Mortimer, reveals new evidence around King Edward II and Berkeley Castle; archaeologist and BBC Coast presenter, Mark Horton, unearths new Viking discoveries from Gloucestershire; while for fans of the medieval era, Max Adams tells all about the mighty King Offa and his dyke, and Sharon Bennett Connolly shines the spotlight on Britain’s forgotten queen, Empress Matilda.
And in current affairs, former head of GCHQ, David Omand, discusses Trump and Putin with Russia experts Jade McGlynn and Sinclair McKay; Middle East historian, Michael Scott-Baumann, looks into the Israel Gaza conflict; and former local MPs Alex Chalk and Richard Graham ask if the rule of law has broken down.
Individual event tickets cost from £10 each and weekend passes cost £155 for in-person access to all events — and visitors will be able to reserve their preferred seats in advance.
Every event at Gloucester History Festival Spring Weekend is also being live streamed online, with digital tickets costing £6 per event or £38 for the full programme.
To book tickets, visit gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk, or stop by the in-person box office at The Museum of Gloucester.
