Gloucester History Festival 2025 has Launched!

From comedy stars to Calendar Girls!

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Comedian and TV presenter Frank Skinner is among a hundred top personalities, historians, broadcasters, actors and politicians announced for the Gloucester History Festival 2025. The star of Baddiel & Skinner, Room 101 and the England football anthem Three Lions will reveal his fascination with Britain’s rich heritage and share his passion for the past with audiences at Gloucester’s iconic Blackfriars Priory in September.  

Also appearing is one of the nation’s best-loved film and theatre stars, Celia Imrie. From Calendar Girls to her newest historical novel set in wartime London, she’ll be talking about her career as an actress and author. Other highlights include Digging For Britain presenter Professor Alice Roberts, former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine and Horrible Histories guru Greg Jenner. A House Through Time host David Olusoga will reveal the overlooked stories in Britain’s past, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet discusses Afghanistan and TV historian Tessa Dunlop interviews Bletchley Park code-breaker Ruth Bourne. In total 53 events are taking place from Saturday 13^th to Sunday 21^st September.

Tickets for the History Festival’s Blackfriars Talks are on sale now with topics ranging from the Bayeux Tapestry, Magna Carta and the English Civil War to famous magicians, the legacy of Malcolm X and the lives of two former Prime Ministers, Margaret Thatcher and Harold Wilson.    

‘I can’t believe this is our 15^th History Festival and I’m thrilled to introduce our most exciting programme of events yet,’ says Festival President Prof. Janina Ramirez. ‘The Festival never fails to surprise me, I always leave inspired and I hope you enjoy this special year as much as I do.’   

Tickets for all History Festival events are available online from gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk, by phone on 07834 406228 and in person from the Festival Box Office at the Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1HP (open six days a week Tuesday - Sunday).