A SIMPLER TICKETING SYSTEM –
ONE TICKET, ALL ACCESS!
We’re making it easier than ever to experience everything
Chalke History Festival has to offer.
NEW FOR 2025: A SIMPLER TICKETING SYSTEM
Our brand-new ticketing system gives you access to EVERYTHING* in the festival programme – no extra costs, no hassle. Your entry ticket unlocks access to talks, performances, and immersive experiences. (*A small number of children’s experiences require a supplement ticket, but entry to the festival is FREE for under 16s!)
HOW IT WORKS
This year, you can choose from:
- A Weekly Ticket – Access to all 7 days of the festival
- A Weekend Ticket – Friday to Sunday access
- A Daily Ticket – Choose the day that suits you (On sale April 14th)
Whichever ticket you choose, you’ll get entry to EVERY single talk, panel, discussion, and activity on that day. You will have full access to a one-of-a-kind lineup featuring history’s biggest names with more international speakers than ever, including world leaders and global experts. You can also enjoy live music and a brand-new ‘After Dark’ programme as well as daily performances of Shakespeare’s Henry V.
We’re in the final stages of confirming some truly unmissable guests, this is a unique history festival you won’t find anywhere else – thought-provoking, inspiring, and utterly unforgettable.
WEEKLY TICKETS JUST £175 – a huge saving! (Daily tickets will be £58)
This is an absolute steal, so grab yours before prices go up!
BOOKING A SEAT FOR POPULAR EVENTS
Want to secure the best seats for the biggest names? If you’re a Benefactor, Patron, Plantagenet Member, Friend, or History Club Member, you’ll get:
- Exclusive priority booking for your chosen events
- First access to venues (which have been increased in size for 2025)
An email with your exclusive members’ booking link
will land in your inbox in April!
FAQs
Does My Entrance Ticket Include Everything?
Yes! In the past, visitors paid for entry to the festival and purchased additional tickets for entry to talks in our two main tents. This year, all talks will be included in the entry price, removing the need to pay extra for individual talks. We hope this new system will encourage you to try talks you might not have in the past and experience even more of the festival.
When Does The Early Bird Ticket Price End?
Early Bird ends 13 April 2025. Day Tickets will be available from 14 April 2025.
How Is Seating For The Talks Allocated?
Visitors will queue for entry to the talk and seating will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Anyone wanting to reserve a seat for those talks, to guarantee a seat inside the tent, will need to become a member.
What If The Tent Is Full?
The talk tents have been expanded to accommodate additional capacity, with open sides. For any overflow outside of the tents, there will be additional seating and screens for visitors to watch the talks on. There will also be screens in the nearby covered picnic tent.
With the option of outside seating and a more casual approach to ticketing, we hope that people will be encouraged to try talks they might not have usually taken a risk on.
How Will It Work For Members?
Members will need to buy entrance tickets for the festival. When the full talk line-up is launched in early April, members will be sent a link to reserve their talk seats. Buy Your Membership Here.
Higher tiers of membership will have earlier access to reserve. If you are a Patron or Benefactor you will have access on the first day of the line-up launch, Plantagenets will have access two days later, Friends two days after that, and finally History Club members three days after the Friends.
If you become a member after the initial launch you will be able to reserve seats immediately, regardless of your tier.
75% of the tent seats will be allocated for members – which means that for particularly popular talks, we recommend booking early, as the reserved seating could in effect sell out. If there are no seats left to reserve, you will still be able to attend the talk, but not with a guaranteed seat.
During the festival, members with booked talk tickets will have a separate queue to enter the tent, as they have done in the past.
What If I’m A Member But I Have Not Booked A Talk?
If you are a member, but have not booked a ticket for a particular talk, you will need to queue in the standard queue and be allocated a seat with the other festival visitors inside or outside of the tent.
How Will It Work For Non-Members?
Visitors to the festival who aren’t members will need to buy an entrance ticket for the festival. There’s no need to choose talks in advance, you can decide what you’d like to see on the day.
To access the talks, non-members will be able to queue at the usual tent entrance. Depending on the talk’s popularity, visitors will either be able to sit inside the tent, or on seats outside the tent where there will be screens showing the talk. The sides of the tents will be open.
When Can I Book Dining & Children’s Experiences?
All dining options and children’s experiences will be on sale on Monday, 14th April.
CHALKE: SO MUCH MORE THAN TALKS
Yes, Chalke is a history festival, but the talks are just one part of the experience.
Your entry ticket gives you access to a full programme of children’s activities, immersive living history, thrilling after-dark events, live performances, and incredible music. With so much to see, do, and enjoy, this is history brought to life in a way you’ve never seen before.
See you in June. We can’t wait!
All my very best wishes,
James Holland
Creative Director
ALL INCLUDED
Talks
ALL talks are included with your entry ticket. Members have access to reserve seats, non-members will queue for entry as usual. Tent sizes have been increased and external screens added.
Living History
All our living historians are happy to share their extraordinary knowledge as you walk around the living history encampments, alongside scheduled talks and lively displays. Sample the sights, sounds and smells of the past from the Iron Age, to the Tudors and beyond the Second World War.
Children’s Activities
All activities in the Storystock Children’s Tent of Surpirises are included in your entry ticket. Together with our living historians, performers, live music and talks specially tailored for children, there is a packed programme to keep your little historians entertained!
Performance & Live Music
Discover a packed programme of entertainment and hands-on activities for all the family. From storytelling to puppetry and duels, this is history at its most engaging and entertaining.
Explore the Festival Site
Soak in the stunning beauty of the Chalke Valley as you wander through our vibrant festival site.
Bring a picnic and relax on our benches, but please leave the alcohol at home – we’ve got a fantastic bar on-site for you to enjoy. And as the sun sets, the excitement continues… Don’t miss our brand-new after-dark programme, packed with unforgettable experiences!
