Tickets for Chelsea History Festival 2025 Now on Sale

A Chelsea Pensioner giving a talk at the Royal Hospital

Thursday, 19 June 2025

Chelsea Heritage Quarter is pleased to announce the seventh edition of the Chelsea History Festival, taking place from Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 September 2025.

This annual celebration of history and heritage brings the past to life through an immersive programme of talks by leading historians and authors, alongside family-friendly walking tours, garden visits, concerts and exhibitions.

Tickets are now on sale at www.chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk

In 2025, the Chelsea History Festival will explore Chelsea’s rich and varied past, from the pioneering women who shaped the area to its influential role in London’s punk and rock ’n’ roll scenes, and the borough’s hidden connections to the world of espionage.

Sponsored by Cadogan and supported by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the programme of over 80 events will transform London’s most historic neighbourhood across three key venues - Chelsea Physic Garden, the National Army Museum and the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The 2025 headline speakers and events include:

Award-winning journalist Emily Maitlis reflects on memoirs of the Second World War with Mark Gwynne
Greg Jenner, host of hit podcast 'You’re Dead to Me', shares surprising history you won’t have learned in school
Dermot Turing, nephew of acclaimed mathematician Alan Turing, discusses overlooked women codebreakers
'Sunday Times' columnist Mark Urban discusses the history of war tanks and the remarkable men behind them
Writer and historian Paula Akpan tells the story of 12 queens and warriors from across the African continent
Bestselling champion of national heritage Simon Jenkins assesses Britain’s architecture and landscape
Hanna Diamond, expert on France in the Second World War, reveals the remarkable story of Josephine Baker - stage and screen icon turned wartime intelligence operative
General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, discusses Nato’s future and today’s global threats
Bestselling author Otto English explores the truth behind history’s villains and why they continue to be demonised today
The Royal Hospital's Chapel Choir delivers a special concert of church anthems by England’s finest composers dating back to the 1700s
Family-friendly activities and free entry to Chelsea Physic Garden throughout the Festival weekend

This year marks the second Chelsea History Festival since the launch of Chelsea Heritage Quarter – a new heritage destination for Londoners that tells a unique story of London and Britain from 1660 to the present day. Since its launch, Chelsea Heritage Quarter has offered events for visitors throughout the year, contributing to a Chelsea which is creative, vibrant and enjoyable for all.

Visitors to the Chelsea History Festival will also have the opportunity to explore two new exhibitions. Opening exclusively during the Festival, the Royal Hospital Chelsea presents 'Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes of D-Day', which uncovers the little-known stories of the Royal Navy’s Chinese heroes who served during the D-Day landings.

Then, on Tuesday 16 September, the National Army Museum launches 'Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies', highlighting the remarkable multinational forces who fought in some of the most challenging conditions of the Second World War.

Gill Webber, Director of Chelsea Heritage Quarter, said:

'Chelsea History Festival is the flagship event of the Chelsea Heritage Quarter. We are excited to offer a stage to some stellar speakers this year in more than 80 events exploring British history through the rich history and heritage of Chelsea. There really is something for everyone in our rich programme of talks, walking tours, performances and family activities. We look forward to seeing you there!'

Hugh Seaborn, CEO of Cadogan commented:

'The Chelsea Heritage Quarter is one of the UK’s most extraordinary cultural destinations, charting the evolution of London and Britain from the 1600’s to today. With its timeless charm and vibrancy Chelsea continues to inspire – and the Chelsea History Festival is a magnificent tribute to our neighbourhood’s unique, creative and indomitable spirit, celebrating the next chapter of our cultural legacy that makes Chelsea unlike anywhere else.'

Justin Maciejewski, Director of the National Army Museum, said:

'We are thrilled to announce a stellar line-up of speakers and events for this year’s Chelsea History Festival. No matter your interests, there will be something to spark your imagination. All the partners of the Chelsea Heritage Quarter are united in believing that history is vital to understanding our lives and the world around us today. The Festival is an entertaining and exciting way of exploring the many aspects of our heritage.'

Notes to editors

Press contact:

For further information, to arrange interviews, request press tickets and high-resolution images please contact:

Ikram Ali at Sutton
Ikram@suttoncomms.com | chelseaheritagequarter@suttoncomms.com
+44 (0) 7850 884 921
press@chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk

Festival dates and listings:

Wednesday 24 – Sunday 28 September 2025
Box office: 0131 226 0014
Website: www.chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk #ChelseaHistoryFest #ChelseaHeritageQuarter
Twitter: @ChelseaHeritage
Facebook: @Chelsea Heritage Quarter Instagram: @chelseaheritagequarter

Venues:

Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS
National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HT
Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4SR

Chelsea History Festival

Founded in 2019, the Chelsea History Festival is a partnership between the National Army Museum, the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Chelsea Physic Garden. Its aim is to entertain, educate and inspire through local, national and global history. Every year, the Chelsea History Festival brings the past to life through a programme of events, featuring a brilliant blend of storytellers and performers from different walks of life. The Festival creates a stage in Chelsea, along the historic Royal Hospital Road, for world class speakers and authors to celebration history.

National Army Museum

The National Army Museum shares the history and heritage of our soldiers and their service in the Army, across the globe and down the centuries. Through our collections and research, we explore the history of the Army from its origins to the present day. We aim to engage and inspire everyone with the stories of our soldiers and how their service shapes our world; past present and future.

Royal Hospital Chelsea

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is the home of the iconic veterans of the British Army, the Chelsea Pensioners. We offer excellent accommodation, comradeship and the highest standards of care in recognition of their loyal service to the nation. Any former soldier of the British Army of state pension age, who is facing spending their advanced years alone, can apply for residence as a Chelsea Pensioner. Some 300 army veterans live at the Royal Hospital today, including those who have served in Korea, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and World War II. Others may not have served in campaigns, but all understand what it means to be a soldier and the potential sacrifice that it entails. The Royal Hospital is a Grade I and II listed site, a beautiful architectural legacy left to us by Charles II and Sir Christopher Wren. Maintenance of the site continues today with ongoing restoration work to ensure that this legacy lives on into the future.

chelsea-pensioners.co.uk

Chelsea Physic Garden

Chelsea Physic Garden is London’s oldest botanic garden. Founded in 1673, it turned 350 in 2023. It has been a teaching garden for all of these 350 years and the core principles of discovery, learning and wellbeing are still realised today through its charitable activities. Within the Garden visitors can find over 4500 species of edible, useful and medicinal plants that help to tell the story of humanity’s relationship with plants. The Garden is an independent charity which relies on public support to ensure it can achieve its purpose of education and public access. Chelsea Physic Garden offers a year-round programme of educational activities, walks, talks, tours and workshops.

chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

Chelsea Heritage Quarter

The Chelsea Heritage Quarter is London’s new heritage destination and brings together four remarkable institutions to tell a unique story of London and Britain from 1660 to the present day. Including magnificent architecture, military history and London’s oldest botanic garden all situated in the heart of historic and picturesque Chelsea, the Quarter presents a fascinating and wide-ranging experience for those interested in exploring Britain’s history.

chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk

Cadogan

Cadogan is a family business, property manager, investor, and developer with a 300-year history that informs its dynamic estate management approach today. As custodians of over 90 acres of Chelsea and Knightsbridge, their long-term stewardship aims to enrich the area’s unique character and community, while safeguarding its future vitality.