History Book Festival

Talk Heritage Social Justice
  • Venue

    Southwark Cathedral

  • Time

    10:00 AM

  • Price

    From £5

  • Book Tickets

Southwark Cathedral’s 2026 History Book Festival brings authors together for a day of talks celebrating history’s stories, themes and voices.

Step into the past at Southwark Cathedral’s 2026 History Book Festival, where centuries of heritage provide the perfect backdrop for a celebration of historical storytelling.
 
This day will bring together authors whose work explores different eras, themes and perspectives from across history. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy a rich programme of author talks, offering the chance to hear from leading historians and writes about the stories that shaped our world. From ancient to modern history, this festival highlights a diverse range of topics and voices.
 
This event is part of Southwark Cathedral’s Social Justice Programme.
Programme
 
Nave
  • 10.30am - 11.30am | Alison Weir: Six Tudor Queens: The Wives of Henry VIII
  • 12 - 1pm | Siobhan Clarke: 'Gloriana: Elizabeth I and the art of Queenship'
  • 1.30pm - 2.30pm | Victoria Shepherd: 'Stony Jack and the Lost Jewels of Cheapside'
 
Library
  • 10am - 11am | Jo Durrant with guest Dr Elizabeth Norton TBC
  • 12 - 1pm | Anne Sebba: 'Wallis Simpson, That Woman'
  • 2pm - 3pm | Andrew Kenrick: 'Rex Juba: 15 glimpses of an African King'
  • 4pm - 5pm | Brian Groom: 'These Isles'
  • 6pm - 7pm | Dr Erica Canela: 'Zealous: A darker side of the Early Quakers'
 
JTW Room
  • 11.00am - 12:00 | Nicola Rayner: 'The Paris Dancer'
  • 12.30pm - 1.30pm | Jo Durrant with guest Melanie Backe-Hansen
  • 2.30pm - 3.30pm | Nicholas Travers: 'Victorian Britain: Day by Day'
  • 4.30pm - 5.30pm | Barney Campbell: 'The Fires of Gallipoli'
  • 6pm - 7pm | Debbie Kilroy: 'Members Behaving Badly'

Ticket Information

Tickets for individual talks cost £5, or you can save money attending multiple talks by purchasing a pass to every talk in the Nave for £12, every talk in the Library for £18, and every talk in the JTW room for £18.