FESTIVAL RETURNS IN 2021

SAVE THE DATES: 23 – 27 June 2021

More details and lineup will be announced imminently.
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#AmazingHistory

23rd – 27th June 2021

See history. Hear history. Feel history…

Celebrating our tenth anniversary:

200+ talks and events, 60 acres, interactive living history and experiences,
children’s events, air displays, workshops, archaeology walks, vintage vehicles,
treasure hunts, book store, shopping emporium, live music, party, fireworks,
bar, cafes, fine dining, street food, camping & glamping

As seen in…

NEWS

1st April 2021

Traders applications are now open for retail stalls and food vendors

Find out more

25th Mar 2021

We are on! We are really thrilled to be able to announce our intention to hold the history festival this year in June.

Find out more

11th Jan 2020

Today we launch Chalke Talk, the podcast from our archives of incredible talks over the past decade.

Find out more

Chalke Valley History Festivals receive lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund

We absolutely had the most amazing time! I love the audiences at the festival, so erudite and engaged! The festival is vitally important for the country and brilliantly combines the joy of literary, music, exhibition wrapped in a fascinating history festival. CVHF has a firm and warm place in all of our hearts! Congratulations to all involved for such an amazing Festival.

Simon Robinson

My son(6) and I took part in the Sword School, which was brilliant, We spent nearly 5 hours wandering through the different ages, meeting various different ‘characters’, who were all eager to share ‘their’ stories, historical knowledge and costumes, which my little boy loved and the re-enactments were fantastic. It truly was a wonderful day .

Festival go-er

There were reenactments, demonstrations and the popular fly-past of WW2 planes. Most importantly there was a strong accent on education with a schools programme in the weekday mornings and in the displays. What child could fail to be impressed by all the uniforms, displays and atmosphere of the event?

Festival go-er

Entertaining, informative, and thought-provoking. And that was just the audience.

Ian Hislop

My 17 year-old son spent the whole of the weekend immersed in the festival, talking to the stall holders and watching the various displays. He couldn’t stop talking about it on Saturday evening and left exhausted but extremely happy on Sunday. I think you may well have changed his life. The festival brought to the fore his love of history and for this I can only thank you.

Festival go-er

I’ve been to literary festivals from Cornwall to Orkney and none of them match the buzz, fun and enthusiasm generated by the Chalke Valley History Festival. Our history is celebrated at Chalke Valley, it educates, shocks, amuses and inspires.

Dan Snow

It made many aspects of history come alive. I went with my teenage son who has been monosyllabic recently and we watched, listened, experienced the trenches, bought books, ate a lovely lunch and enjoyed the day together!

Festival go-er

This experience has inspired my learning of and interest in history as a subject so that I shall go into the next year of school with a great deal more enthusiasm than I had at the end of my GCSEs.

Festival go-er

Yet another amazing event! The Glastonbury of History doesn’t do it justice; it’s so much better.

Festival go-er

The whole thing was wonderful this year. I feel a real sense of pride that this fantastic festival takes place on my doorstep, it is truly a joyous way to spend time. My Godson has been inspired to take history at GCSE and that is thanks to the enthusiasm and passion shown by speakers and audiences alike.

Festival go-er

Thanks so much to you and the team at Chalke Valley for making Leweston School’s experience on Tuesday at the festival so good. Our pupils were buzzing with enthusiastic engagement afterwards. That day will not be forgotten. Best wishes, Matthew

Lewiston School

Sneak peak of the front cover of our festival broc