Gloucestershire's newest history festival is taking place this June 2026, as Sudeley Castle hosts a three-day celebration of history, heritage and storytelling.
From talks on the fascinating lives of Katherine Parr and Anne Boleyn, to guided garden and behind-the-scenes tours and fun family storytelling sessions, SoGlos rounds up what's on.
When is Sudeley Castle History Weekend?
Sudeley Castle History Festival is taking place from Friday 26 until Sunday 28 June 2026.
Celebrity talks at Sudeley Castle History Weekend
Historian and author, Alison Weir, is giving a talk on her latest book, The Boleyn Secret, on Friday; then on Saturday, historian and broadcaster David Starkey delivers his insightful talk 'Regent, Religious Reformer, Fool in Love' on the life of Sudeley Castle's very own Tudor queen, Katherine Parr.
Hosted in the orangery, tickets to both talks cost £25 each and include an arrival drink at a reception hosted by Lady Ashcombe, chatelaine of Sudeley Castle, from 5pm, with talks beginning at 6pm.
Guided tours during Sudeley Castle History Weekend
Discover the history that shaped Sudeley Castle's spectacular gardens on a tour with head gardener, Stephen Torode, or tour guide, Lindsey Draper, on Friday or Saturday; or take a rare look around Sudeley's private family rooms, learning all about the places usually off limits to visitors, with tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets for the Behind the Scenes Guided Tour cost £12.50 per person, while the Historic Garden Tour costs £10 per person.
Free events at Sudeley Castle History Weekend
Meet Sudeley's own archivist, Derek Maddock, and see original documents from the castle's past on Friday and Saturday; see conservators working on the Sheldon Tapestry on all three days; and listen to talks from the experts at Winchcombe Museum on Sunday.
The women of Sudeley take centre stage for 'The Royal Progress 1535' on Friday, where Sudeley guide Liz Moulson returns to the reformation and a crucial moment in Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's reign; 'Katherine Parr - Survived!' with Sudeley guide Mike Bottomley on Friday and Sunday; and Sudeley guide Debbie Dyson's talk on Lady Jane Grey on Friday and Saturday.
Dr Cathryn Spence shares the work of naturalist artist, Thomas Robins, on Friday; Sudeley guide Dale Scarboro explores the impact of Romanticism on Sudeley on Saturday; and Sudeley's textile conservator and curator, Bev Johnson, leads visitors on a journey through Victorian fashion on Saturday and Sunday.
Discover Sudeley Castle's role in the English Civil War with talks from Dale Scarboro on Saturday and Gloucester History Festival founder, Richard Graham, on Sunday.
Get to know the Victorians of Sudeley Castle with Sudeley guide Heather Canavan and understand Victorian celebrity culture with Jane Harrison of Royal Grammar School, Worcester; and hear period music performed by Waytes and Measures, featuring historical instruments including the portative organ, shawms, gittern, medieval fiddle, recorders and percussion, all on Saturday.
The weekend concludes with Evensong at The Chapel at St Mary's Church on Sunday at 4pm, featuring music from the Tapestry Chamber Choir.
Family-friendly events at Sudeley Castle History Weekend
Revel in 'Terrible Tales from Tudor Times' with storytelling sessions on the Mulberry Lawn on Saturday at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
Author and storyteller, Dave Tonge, will regale audiences with stories of witty women, penniless peddlars, foolish fops and even a radish worth 100 gold coins in these fun sessions that are sure to entertain adults and children alike – included within the price of admission to Sudeley Castle.
