History fans in their thousands defy heatwave to attend this year’s star-studded Chalke History Festival

Despite record-breaking temperatures, history fans defied the heat in their thousands last week to attend Chalke, the UK’s biggest history festival.

With over 200 speakers and over 600 living historians and history interpreters, visitors were spoilt for choice as sold-out audiences listened to household names such as Alexander Armstrong, Mary Beard, Antony Beevor, Al Murray, Harriet Walter and Anthony Scaramucci. Sunshades and ice-creams were the order of the day, but the history fans adopted a ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ attitude as thermometers rose and the crowds poured in.

Creative Director and historian, James Holland, said: “Chalke is, for me, quite simply the best week of the year. This 2026 lineup has been super impressive and packed full of unique events punters just wouldn’t find at any other festival. From the Ukraine: The Latest expert panel discussion on the Friday to The Generals Review on our preparedness for war on the Saturday, audiences at the festival were given access to

talks that will leave a lasting impression. I’d like to thank all our speakers – old friends and new young voices - for battling through the heat to deliver such an incredible, wide-ranging series of talks.”

Highlights included the reconstruction of a magnificent Iron Age Romano-British chariot by the Remaking History team of intrepid artisans, followed by an impressive and dramatic racing display in the Arena with the chariot – pulled by two rare fell ponies – marking the first time in a couple of thousand years that native ponies have participated in such an event.

Image: Martin Cook

On the Saturday evening, a stunning procession of heritage crafts practitioners, living historians, archaeologists and musicians staged a chariot burial ceremony, watched on by hundreds of visitors.

Managing Director, James Florence, said: “It’s been a truly memorable week here at the festival. Despite sweltering conditions, the public has turned out in really impressive numbers and we are thrilled to say that across the seven days we are in line with the record number of 25,000 visitors of 2025.

"This is a huge achievement, and I’d like to thank all our volunteers and our incredible team of staff for their hard work in the most challenging of circumstances. We also welcomed around 3,000 pupils, staff and home educators to our Schools Festival at the start of the week, when they enjoyed a packed curriculum-based programme of talks and activities.

"It’s always great to see so many young pupils actively engaged in learning about history and having such fun.”

Next year’s Chalke History Festival will take place from 21st to 27th June 2027.