Chelsea History Festival

Join us again in 2024

Royal Hospital Road
London SW3

Chelsea History Festival

Join us again in 2024

Royal Hospital Road,
London SW3

It is with sorrow and our deepest respect that the Chelsea History Festival marks the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The place to explore history

Discover the past in all its variety and enjoy an immersive line-up of events on a historic stage.

Headline events

Bringing the past to life through performances, talks and tours

Bill Wyman

Bill Wyman's Chelsea

Local resident and former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman charts the development of Chelsea from rural village retreat to cultural hub.

Joya Chatterji

Shadows at Noon

Joya Chatterji surveys the history of South Asia during the 20th century, a period of dramatic change.

Michael Palin

Great-Uncle Harry: A Tale of War and Empire

Michael Palin recounts the extraordinary and ultimately tragic story of his long forgotten great-uncle.

Helen Fry

Women in Intelligence

Bestselling author and historian Helen Fry discusses the role of women in intelligence services in the 20th century.

2023 highlights

Bringing the past to life through performances, talks and tours

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Connect with Us

Explore Chelsea

Uncovering local history through architecture, art and nature

Chelsea Pensioner James Little

Tour of the State Apartments, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Join Chelsea Pensioner James Little on a tour of these magnificent rooms at the heart of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Dr Emily Mayhew

Chelsea in the Blitz

Dr Emily Mayhew explores the devastating impact of the Blitz on Chelsea’s people and places.

Flowers at the Chelsea Physic Garden

Tour of the Chelsea Physic Garden

Anne Edwards takes us on an exclusive tour around one of the world’s most historic and beautiful botanical gardens.

A word from our sponsor

‘Cadogan is delighted to once again be supporting the Chelsea History Festival. As a family business, we have a longstanding association with the area and local community so we welcome the opportunity to celebrate historians, writers and artists, providing a platform to share their work and make Chelsea’s history accessible to everyone.’