£12

Celebrate the start of a new season as stars of the men’s and women’s game join us at Kingsholm for a special evening exploring the remarkable history of the Cherry and Whites.

£12 / £7 Livestreamed

The Roman army established a fortress at Gloucester in the first century AD, creating a defensive line that shaped the city for centuries and still defines its streets today. In a brand new illustrated talk, City Archaeologist Andrew Armstrong follows Gloucester’s walls from their Roman origins through Saxon, Norman and medieval expansion to their defiant role during the Civil War siege of 1643. He also explores how recent archaeological discoveries have revealed intriguing new information about Gloucester’s ancient walls.

Guided Tour

£8

One of two special half-hour tours offer a rare chance to climb down under the streets of Gloucester to see the extraordinary King’s Bastion for yourself. Numbers are limited so book early.

Meet by entrance in Kings Walk Shopping Centre, Gloucester (by the silver trapdoors, just outside Superdrug)

With thanks to the Museum of Gloucester and the Civic Trust.

Scriptorium Sessions

FREE for Members Only

Join Festival President Janina Ramirez for tea, cake and excellent conversation! Meet fellow Festival members, share your views and hear Janina share exciting plans for the future.

Scriptorium Sessions

£15 to include a selection of 4 gins or alcohol free botanicals

Gin expert Andy Cole uncovers gin’s colourful journey from medicinal spirit to eighteenth-century craze and British favourite. Discover why it became notorious as ‘Mother’s Ruin’, how the Gin Craze transformed society and how changing laws and fashions have reshaped its reputation. All whilst enjoying a guiding tasting of a delicious selection of gins or alcohol-free botanicals.

Scriptorium Sessions

£15 (includes delicious craft chocolates)

Unwrap chocolate’s irresistible history as food historian Sam Bilton follows cacao from the ancient Americas to European courts and fashionable chocolate houses in a compelling new talk. Kathryn Laverack of Cocoa Encounters then leads a delicious guided tasting of carefully selected chocolates.

£15 / £7 Livestreamed

Jung Chang’s worldwide bestseller Wild Swans was both an epic personal history of ‘three daughters of China’ – Jung, her mother and grandmother – and a history of China itself undergoing seismic change. Her bestselling sequel Fly, Wild Swans brings the story up to date in a deeply moving and unforgettable account as China faces another watershed moment poised between capitalism and communism.  Join her as she discusses her life and writing in a rare event.