The fourth Harvington History Festival, which wrapped up on Sunday (26 July 2026), was declared a huge hit by organisers, attendees and guests alike.
Building on the success of previous editions, the five day Worcestershire-based event welcomed 3,500 visitors to 16 talks and one concert, with those attending coming from as far afield as Prague, the US and Australia, as well as from across the UK and wider Midlands.
Many talks sold out as soon as they were announced, leading organisers significantly increasing capacity in the week leading up to the festival to satisfy the rising demand – with the majority of these additional tickets also selling quickly.
The Harvington History Festival 2026 line-up included many well known authors, television presenters, historians and specialists, among them Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Ruth Goodman, Alison Weir, jewellery expert Susan Rumfitt and the National Portrait Gallery’s Dr Charlotte Bolland, while a sold out concert featured Apollo 5 – one of the UK’s top small vocal ensembles, who flew in directly from an engagement in Germany on Saturday afternoon.
Returning to the festival for two packed sessions, author, historian and broadcaster Tracy Borman said: “I love being part of this wonderful festival at a place so steeped in history.”
Hilary Boszko, Harvington Hall’s Management Committee, added: “There’s no other history festival in the UK quite like Harvington. Set in a truly unique and historic location, visitors and speakers all agree it’s a very special event with a real charm and lovely atmosphere.
“We had an exceptional festival this year – it was a huge success – and we’re already channelling that energy into planning 2027’s event.”
Dates for the fifth Harvington History Festival have been confirmed as Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 July 2027. The line-up will be revealed in the new year, although those signed up to the Hall’s email newsletter will receive exclusive early announcements as well as priority / pre-sale booking.
Open all year round, and with an ongoing events programme, Harvington Hall is a Grade I Listed moated Elizabethan manor house surrounded by north Worcestershire open countryside. Having played an important role in the history of this country, the property still boasts the an extensive collection of Elizabethan wall paintings, as well as an impressive seven priests ‘hides’ (hiding holes).
The manor has also featured in many TV productions – with a new latest yet-to-be-announced documentary set to begin filming at the manor in mid-August.
• For more information on Harvington Hall, Harvington History Festival, and other events at the historic property, see: www.harvingtonhall.co.uk