Following up its first year sell-out success, some of the biggest names on the bill at this year's Cirencester History Festival have been revealed this August 2025.
A star-studded lineup featuring famous broadcasters, bestselling authors and experts on world affairs will fascinate history fans of all ages from Friday 24 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, with 26 talks and panel discussions taking place across the town's best venues.
This year's festival programme features a strong focus on geopolitics and international history, helping audiences to 'explore the roots of today’s global tensions through the lens of the past'.
Festival president Dame Fiona Reynolds explains: 'History isn’t just about what’s behind us – it’s a wonderful tool for understanding where we are now.
'In a world that often feels uncertain, the stories, lessons and perspectives of the past can help us navigate the challenges of the present with greater clarity and insight.'
Cirencester's own Charlie Cooper returns for 2025 following his appearance last year, with the This Country star also taking on a new role as festival ambassador.
He's joined on the lineup by legendary broadcaster John Suchet, best known for his role as an ITN newsreader and more recently as a presenter for Classic FM; alongside British actor, comedian and one of the stars of the Johnny English films, Ben Miller.
Also appearing is writer and 'Ricardian' Philippa Langley, who led the project which discovered the lost grave of King Richard III in a Leicester car park in 2012; and renowned retail campaigner and broadcaster, Queen of the High Street, Mary Portas.
Leading the geopolitics focus is New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author and guest commentator for the BBC and Sky News, Tim Marshall; along with historian and current Guardian columnist, Simon Jenkins.
The festival will also feature over 50 'immersive' events, including crafting, historical cookery, film screenings, exhibitions and interactive workshops.
Tickets go on sale with the release of the full events programme on Friday 5 September 2025, with further headliner announcements expected in the coming weeks.
For the latest updates on the festival programme, visit cirencesterhistoryfestival.org and join its mailing list.
Those who would like to support the festival's subsidised youth tickets and free family activities – and also get advance booking for the events – can sign up to become a Friend of the Festival through the website, too.
