Wiltshire: Alan Titchmarsh at Chalke History Festival

The Chalke History Festival, a major UK history event supported by Evelyn Partners, will take place in June.

The festival, scheduled for June 22-28, will present a variety of discussions, including Titchmarsh talking about gardens for the National Garden Scheme.

Alan Titchmarsh with discuss gardens during the festival. (Image: Martin Cook)

Harriet Walter, known for her roles in TV series such as Downton Abbey, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, and Killing Eve, will make her first appearance at the festival to discuss the visibility and representation of older women in the arts.

Tom Holland, a best-selling author and co-host of The Rest is History podcast, will discuss cricket with former England spin bowler Vic Marks and commentator Simon Hughes.

They will debate the best England team captains from 1979 to 2025.

Other highlights include a team from the University of Liverpool presenting a scientific approach to history.

Festival attendees can participate in The First Ceramics session, which reveals insights into the origins of pottery, and the Archaeglueology workshop, focusing on ancient adhesives.

These historic components shed new light on the people who made and used them.

The festival will also host discussions focusing on the Second World War.

Damien Lewis, a bestselling author and an expert on the SAS, will share stories of the unit's high-stakes operations and undercover rescues.

Al Murray and James Holland, co-hosts of the popular podcast We Have Ways of Making You Talk, will discuss sinking the Bismarck in May 1941.

Al Murray and James Holland will discuss sinking the Bismarck in May 1941. (Image: Ash Mills)

Theodor Meron, a top scholar in international humanitarian law, human rights and criminal law, will speak about surviving the Holocaust.

Colin Bell, a 105-year-old Second World War veteran, will recall his time flying 50 missions over Germany as a Mosquito pilot.

This year's festival will feature a nautical theme, showcasing a replica 40ft Coastal Motor Boat, originally designed to navigate a minefield with a single 18-inch Whitehead torpedo.

This will be complemented by demonstrations from expert shipbuilders based at Portsmouth Historic Quarter.

The On Cue Theatre Company returns with lively performances of The Tragedie of Macbeth.

The Liberata Collective, on Monday, June 22, will present a performance of Antonia: Behind the Myth of Marie Antoinette.

The festival also offers an all-inclusive ticket system, allowing attendees to enjoy a wide variety of talks with the cost of their entry ticket.

Three and seven day tickets are on sale now at chalkefestival.com/tickets.

Day tickets will be available from Wednesday, April 22.