Your guide to the Military History Festival
Kai Pendlebury-BoweMilitary veterans, historians and authors are descending on Herefordshire for a three-day festival exploring centuries of conflict.
The Hereford Military History Festival 2026 runs from Friday to Sunday, with more than 50 speaker events taking place at venues across the city.
Topics range from Ancient Sparta and the Wars of the Roses, to the SAS, the Second World War and conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
There will also be a free family fair on Castle Green, featuring historic military vehicles, re-enactors and children's activities.
Here's what you need to know if you're planning to attend.
When is the festival?
The festival takes place from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September.
Events begin at midday on Friday, with talks running into the evening, before a full programme on Saturday and Sunday.
It is the second Hereford Military History Festival, following its inaugural event in 2025, with organisers promising a "bigger, better and richer" programme this year.
Where is it taking place?
Rather than being based at a single site, events are spread across several venues in Hereford.
They include Hereford Cathedral, College Hall, St Peter's Church, the Green Dragon Ballroom and Castle Green Pavilion, while some events are also being held at the NMITE building on Blackfriars Street, Bishops Palace Hall and the Courtyard Theatre.
Visitors attending more than one talk should therefore check the venue on their ticket and allow time to move between locations.
Who can I see on Friday?
The festival gets under way at 12:00 BST on Friday, when a discussion entitled DEFCON1? will examine the current national and global geopolitical landscape at Hereford Cathedral.
At the same time, historian, Rory Naismith, will discuss Offa, King of the Mercians, at College Hall.
Later events include talks about the Spanish Civil War and the MI5 archive.
The final cathedral event of the evening sees author, Damien Lewis, discuss the SAS and the Great Train Raid from 19:30 to 20:30 BST.
What's happening on Saturday?
Saturday's programme starts at 11:00 BST, with several events happening simultaneously.
One of the opening discussions examines the past, present and future of the SAS at Hereford Cathedral, while other talks look at the British Empire, justice during conflict and the origins of the Second World War's commando force.
Historian, Dan Jones, will discuss castles at the cathedral at 12:30 BST, followed by Andrew Roberts talking about Napoleon and his marshals at 14:00 BST.
Kai Pendlebury-BoweOther subjects during the afternoon and evening include Hitler's U-boat campaign, Colditz, bomb disposal, Ukraine's foreign legion and the Burma Campaign.
The day's programme culminates at the cathedral with a discussion about the impact and consequences of the war in Iran from 19:00 to 20:00 BST.
Anyone planning their day should note that a scheduled appearance by Aaron Moon at Castle Green Pavilion has been cancelled, according to the festival's latest online programme.
What's happening on Sunday?
Sunday's talks begin at 11:00 BST, including a discussion asking whether Britain is ready to defend itself in the event of war, as well as events exploring Britain's cavalry and Alexander the Great.
Former BBC correspondent, Fergal Keane, will discuss The Madness, his memoir about war, fear and PTSD, at the Green Dragon Ballroom between 14:00 and 15:00 BST.
There will also be a screening of 5 Soldiers at the Courtyard Theatre from 14:30 to 16:20 BST.
Do I need tickets?
The speaker sessions are individually ticketed, with booking available through the festival's website and TicketSource.
Because several talks take place at the same time in different venues, visitors booking multiple events should check both the time and location before buying tickets.
The Castle Green Fair and its activities are free and do not need to be booked.
Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
