Wimpole History Festival 2017
This July, Wimpole's History Festival will be a weekend of history and heritage for the whole family.
Taking place for the first time this year, Wimpole History Festival is the product of a unique partnership between Cambridge Literary Festival and the National Trust.
Set in the beautiful Wimpole Estate with its country mansion, rolling parkland and library of more than 10,000 books, this is the perfect backdrop to welcome some of Britain’s best and most engaging historians.
What to expect
Wimpole History Festival is packed full of talks, debates, book signings and performances, plus a rich seam of events which take you to the heart of the National Trust, the invaluable work it does and its hidden treasures.
With living history, workshops and activities for young history lovers too including sword school and dressing up as a Roman Emperor.
There is the also the chance to learn more about Wimpole itself, with new guided tours of the hall, gardens and farm, and a historically themed children’s trail.
Time to relax
In between events you will be able to take advantage of the rich offering of local pop-up food and drink stalls…or pack a picnic.
Early birds can practise their Warrior Pose against the beautiful backdrop of rolling parkland with morning yoga on the lawn on Saturday and Sunday.
Not to be missed . . .
Highlights include Lucy Worsley, who marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death; David Olusoga explores being black and British; Orlando Figes looks at the Russian Revolution a century on whilst Bridget Kendall contemplates Putin’s Russia; Andrew Marr reflects on what Brexit means for Britishness; dramatist Stephen Poliakoff shares his obsession with the secret history of Britain in the 20th century.
Former Director General of the National Trust, Fiona Reynolds, makes a case for preserving natural beauty; historian Piers Brendon examines the life of HRH Prince Charles and the years spent waiting to be King and historical novelist Alison Weir tackles the tempting topic of Tudor queen Anne Boleyn.
Carolyne Larrington excavates the medieval world behind Game of Thrones; the last governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten reflects on his own past; after a lifetime spent in the military and Richard Dannatt sheds light on the British army since 1945.
Children will be transported to different times by Francesca Simon who introduces them to the world of Norse mythology, while Philip Ardagh shares the secret diary of a medieval knight in training and Chris Lloyd stops off at the ten most significant moments that have shaped history.
How to book
Normal admission to Wimpole applies for the weekend which includes the living history area, but for most of the talks it's essential to book with the Box Office opening Friday 28 April
Online:
wimpolehistoryfestival.com
Call:
01223 357 851
Visit the Box Office:
Cambridge Live Tickets, Wheeler Street, CB2 3QB
