Hereford Military History Festival has announced the full programme of events for its debut festival, taking place from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September 2025.
The festival, an ambitious new addition to the UK’s cultural calendar, will feature renowned writers and thinkers. The rich and varied programme will provide a thorough exploration of global military history, showcasing key figures, human stories and the unusual aspects of war.
The inaugural programme combines a unique mix of historical insight into some of the world’s most devastating military events, local and regional stories from Herefordshire and beyond, and conversations around war in the 21st century and the impact of conflicts on our lives today.
Steeped in history, Hereford is the perfect setting for the new festival, having been a military stronghold for over two millennia – from Roman legions to the SAS.
Amongst the events announced today are:
- Award-winning authors Anne Sebba and Wendy Holden discuss their books on Auschwitz, exploring the tangled questions of moral complexity and the extraordinary lives of people in the death camp.
- Actor Larry Lamb will be sharing anecdotes and reading from a selection of his favourite war poems such as Kipling’s ‘Gunga Din’, along with an injection of his own personal poems which are sure to make you laugh and cry in equal measure.
- Author and podcaster Mark Lynas discusses his new book, Six Minutes to Winter, which explores the possibility of World War III. With 12,000 warheads in the arsenals of more than half a dozen countries, are we standing on a nuclear knife edge?
- Dr Victoria Taylor, an award-winning aviation historian, looks at the Luftwaffe’s historical role during the RAF’s ‘Finest Hour’ from a cartoonish antagonist to a multidimensional, flawed-yet-formidable opponent.
- Ex-diplomat Tim Willasey-Wilsey’s new book, The Spy and the Devil, is a riveting tale of espionage, intrigue, and the untold impact of one man’s secret mission on the course of history; a journey into the shadows of Nazi Germany.
- Chris Hunter gives gripping, first-hand insights into working for the bomb disposal unit of the British Army. Working in conflict zones such as Libya, Syria, and Iraq, he and his colleagues dismantled thousands of Islamic State IEDs
Founder and CEO Christian Dangerfield said:
It is very exciting to see the festival taking shape and to have had such a positive response already to some of the world-class authors and speakers we’ve invited to Hereford in September.
Now that the details of all speakers are up on the website, audiences from near and far will be able to plan three days of fascinating and enriching military history - from ancient Rome to todays’s Ukraine - in one of Britain’s most historic cities.
We believe that this inaugural festival will live up to our ambition of creating an outstanding and memorable experience which can be developed and strengthened in years to come.
Main festival sponsor, allpay, said:
As a proud Herefordshire-based business, we are delighted to support the inaugural Hereford Military History Festival. This unique event not only celebrates our region’s deep-rooted military heritage but also creates an important space for thoughtful dialogue about the impact of conflict, past and present.
Events will be set across historic venues in the city including the allpay stage Hereford Cathedral, The Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford Town Hall and the newly-refurbished Castle Green Pavilion.
Festival organisers have partnered with Rossiter Books to run the on-site bookshop. Ten per cent of all ticket sales will be donated to the Herefordshire Veterans Support Centre.
The full 2025 programme can be viewed on the Hereford Military History Festival website or visit the event booking site to get your tickets for all events.