Tickets Go On Sale for the Third Annual Chelsea History Festival

This year’s dynamic programme of events will cover a range of themes, delving into the worlds of military and art history, and platforming new perspectives on social and natural history.

The expansive line-up launches with bestselling author and historian Julie Summers speaking to former editor-in-chief of British Vogue Alexandra Shulman about the groundbreaking work of her wartime predecessor Audrey Withers. Discover the intrepid story of Vogue in its most formative years, when Withers forged an identity for the magazine that went far beyond just fashion.

Headline speakers include Jeremy Paxman exploring the incredible impact of coal in British history. In this exciting talk, Paxman will investigate not only the rise of ‘Black Gold’, but also the lives of those who worked in the mines and the important role they played in shaping Britain today.

Jonathan Dimbleby and Andrew Roberts will discuss Operation Barbarossa, Hitler’s invasion of Russia in June 1941, and the tangled web of consequences it had for all those involved. This operation, which saw millions of men killed, wounded, or registered as ‘missing in action’, would ultimately bring about the destruction of the Third Reich.

Also joining this year’s festival headliners will be Helen Fry, with an exclusive look at her new book, Spy Master, which dives deep into the secretive life of Thomas Kendrick the secret agent who saved MI6, and bestselling author Damien Lewis, bringing to vivid life seven dramatic and daring escapes by members of the SAS during the Second World War.

Brand new for this year’s festival, the History Village in the heart of London will take visitors back through time to learn first-hand what life was like in Roman London or the First World War. This immersive outdoor event brings history to life with living historians, serving military units and local cultural organisations. Visitors will also have the opportunity to become knights in shining armour for the day as they clash blades at the Sword School, alongside a wide range of other family-friendly activities.

Festival Director, Harry Parker, says:

‘So many of the stories we tell about the past are about resilience and recovery, it feels more important than ever to gather and reflect on the history that makes us who we are. This year we will have a new bigger headline venue to keep our audience safe, an outdoor history street packed with fun for history lovers and all the family, and the largest and most varied speaker programme we’ve ever had. I hope you can join us.’

Following a similar format to previous years, Chelsea Pensioners who served in the Korean War will discuss their involvement in the 1950s conflict. Our panel of veterans will come together to share their moving experiences of ‘the Forgotten War’ in a unique oral history event.

Other festival exclusives include a first look at Rob Lyman’s new book, A War of Empires: Japan, India, Burma and Britain, 1941-45. Ahead of the launch of his latest book, bestselling author of Normandy ’44 and Sicily ’43 James Holland will bring to life the story of the Sherwood Rangers, an elite tank regiment who played a pivotal role in the final months of the Second World War.

Catherine Ostler will be examining the astounding life of Elizabeth Chudleigh, radically re-evaluating her life, her behaviour and her legacy. And Shrabani Basu will uncover the story of a real-life criminal case that took place in Edwardian England, featuring Arthur Conan Doyle as the detective.

In a unique event developed especially for the Chelsea History Festival, renowned historians Professors Olivette Otele and Peter Frankopanconsider the challenges of telling the stories of people and places that are often overlooked.

Join General Sir Nicholas Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, as he speaks to Justin Maciejewski, Director of the National Army Museum about the ever-changing world of conflict. Drawing on his 43 years of service, through a period of extraordinary change, the General gives his unique insight into the ever evolving world of conflict.

As we mark 300 years of British prime ministers and grapple with their momentous decisions, Iain Dale and Sir Anthony Seldon will explore the history of the office in this wide-ranging discussion that will shine a light on the challenges that have and continue to be faced by the occupants of 10 Downing Street.

Sixty years on from the release of EH Carr’s influential text What is History?, contributors to the ground-breaking new collection What is History, Now? will unpick the burning questions facing historians today. The panel will be chaired by the collection’s editors Suzannah Lipscomb and Helen Carr, great-granddaughter of EH Carr.

This year’s festival is a hybrid of physical and virtual events. Physical events will take place across the three founding partners sites along the Royal Hospital Road in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Host venues include the National Army Museum, an institution that tells the story of the British Army and its soldiers, the Chelsea Physic Garden, one of Britain’s oldest botanical gardens, and the beautiful grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which was founded in 1682 and is still home to the Chelsea Pensioners.

Tickets for physical events are priced from £0 to £14 with a 25% discount when booking three or more events. Virtual events are priced at £6.

To see the programme and book now, visit www.chelseahistoryfestival.com