Each year Chalke Valley History Festival gathers the world's leading historians, authors, broadcasters and storytellers for a week of extraordinary talks and conversations. The 2027 line-up will be announced in January.

A selection of speakers from the 2026 festival — the 2027 line-up will be announced in January.

Historian & Author

Antony Beevor

The bestselling military historian, author of Stalingrad and D-Day.

Classicist & Author

Mary Beard

Cambridge Professor of Classics and presenter of Meet the Romans.

Author & Broadcaster

Alan Titchmarsh

Celebrated broadcaster, gardener and author of English history.

Journalist & Author

Afua Hirsch

Award-winning journalist and author of Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging.

Broadcaster & Author

Jim Naughtie

Former BBC Today Programme presenter and author of The Rivals.

Former White House Director of Communications

Anthony Scaramucci

Financier, entrepreneur, and political commentator.