The countdown is on – less than two weeks left to get your tickets for Tewkesbury’s first history festival
Posted on: 8 June 2026
Less than two weeks remain before Tewkesbury’s first history festival launches on Thursday, 18 June with a stellar lineup including Kate Vigurs, Alison Weir, Piers Taylor, Suzannah Lipscomb and Matt Lewis.
Several events are already sold out and organisers, Tewkesbury Borough Council and the John Moore Museum are urging audiences to book without delay.
Councillor Richard Stanley, Leader and Lead Member for Economic Development said: “Don’t miss out on some of the UK’s finest historical minds. We are delighted to see the demand for our first ever Tewkesbury History Festival – the town remains a centre for history, heritage and the arts, and we are thrilled to welcome world-class historians right to our doorstep. I strongly encourage anyone interested to book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.”
Tickets are available on the Tewkesbury History Festival website and are also currently available to purchase from the Tourist Information Centre. Any unsold tickets will be available for purchase from the festival box office at the Watson Hall on the day of the event.
Some venues may be full, but there are still places available for an outstanding lineup of headline speakers, authors, and broadcasters.
Renowned TV archaeologist and historian Julian Richards, widely recognised for his acclaimed BBC series Meet the Ancestors, will lead a flagship talk exploring the enigmatic Stonehenge and the stone landscapes of prehistoric Britain. Attendees can expect a fascinating, first-hand archaeological journey through our prehistoric past, debunking myths and shedding fresh light on how these monumental structures were actually built and their significance.
Other major highlights still open for booking include:
Piers Taylor – The celebrated architect and broadcaster will take to the stage to decode Tewkesbury’s own incredible architectural heritage, guiding the audience through the timber-frames, hidden histories, and structural marvels that define the town.
Sarah Dunant – The bestselling novelist and cultural commentator will transport listeners to the vibrant, cut-throat world of Renaissance Italy, offering look into the life, power, and legacy of the first lady of the Renaissance, Isabella d’Este the Marchesa of Mantua.
Kassia St Clair – The acclaimed author of The Secret Lives of Colour and The Golden Thread will reveal how the hidden histories of pigments and textiles have subtly woven their way through global politics, fashion, and human innovation.
Dr. Daisy Dixon – In a highly anticipated and provocative presentation, the philosopher and artist will explore the concept of Depravity Art from her new book Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art, diving into the dark side of human expression and examining how scandalous, shocking, or volatile art shapes our cultural ethics.
The festival also ensures history isn’t just for adults. Children are invited to join an amazing, interactive journey through folklore, ancient mythology, and bizarre historical traditions in a specially designed youth storytelling session led by Tom Phillips.
A final call is also being issued for those hoping to catch the brilliant historian Suzannah Lipscomb, with only a handful of individual seats remaining before her session officially joins the sold-out list.
Matt Lewis, guest historian and author of ‘The Survival of the Princes in the Tower’, said: “History is never just about dusty dates on a page; it’s a living, breathing, and often utterly bizarre soap opera of human nature. I am absolutely delighted to be part of the Tewkesbury History Festival lineup this year. The energy behind the festival has been brilliant, and the schedule is packed with incredible stories. The town is also the ideal backdrop for telling historical stories – a place to really immerse yourself in the past!”
Full event schedules, venue details, and the final remaining tickets can be accessed via the official festival website tewkesburyhistoryfestival.co.uk.
