DISTINGUISHED historians and well-known commentators are headlining this year’s Chalke Valley History Festival – the largest festival in the world entirely devoted to history.

Names already confirmed include the politicians Ken Clarke and Chris Patten, the photojournalist Don McCullin in conversation with Max Hastings, TV presenter and garden writer Monty Don, and Hitler’s godson, Niklas Frank.

This year marks the 100th anniversary not only of the Battle of Passchendaele but also of the Russian Revolution and the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, with both events being highlighted during the festival week by Professors Robert Service and Catherine Merridale.

Additional speakers in the programme include Dan Snow, Harriet Harman, Matt Frei, Claire Tomalin, Jenni Murray, William Dalrymple, David Cannadine, Suzannah Lipscomb, David Owen, Artemis Cooper, Philippe Sands, A.N. Wilson, John Julius Norwich, Bettany Hughes, Diarmaid MacCulloch, Claire Tomalin, Michael Frayn, Peter Frankopan, Antony Beevor and Anita Anand.

This year’s festival which takes place from June 26 to July 2 is moving to a new site at Church Bottom in Broad Chalke.

Festival programme director, James Holland, said: “We’re obviously sad to be leaving Ebbesbourne Wake, as we’ve had five happy years there. But Church Bottom is also an absolutely stunning spot and still in the heart of the Chalke Valley, two factors we believe are of vital importance.”

The schools festival is scheduled for Year 6, 7 and 8 pupils on June 27 and June 29, and Year 10 and 12 students on June 28.

As in previous years, there will be a line-up of historic war birds flying over the site during the weekend, as well as music and dancing at a specially-themed party on the Saturday night.

There will also be two special study mornings which will include a seminar on the Napoleonic Wars and a special event featuring three German wartime Knight’s Cross winners who will be talking about their experiences.

Plus, there will be more displays and demonstrations by living historians than ever before.

The full programme outlining a wide range of activities, and giving more details about the talks and topical debates taking place, will be announced at a later date.

Tickets will go on sale on April 26.