Over four days, between Thursday 4 – Sunday 7 July, the historic city of Chester is to play host to a city-wide, star-studded Festival of Ideas, with every single event in its vast programme FREE to attend.  With something for everyone, including the family, visitors and locals alike are invited to come and get their brain cells whirring, while being entertained, informed and inspired.

Tickets and the full programme will become available in mid-May, but known to be among the household names headlining are Gyles Brandreth, who will be speaking about happiness and how to achieve it; Baroness Floella Benjamin, the broadcaster, campaigner and parliamentarian, talking on Facing Adversity with a Smile; the highly regarded historian, best-selling author and broadcaster, Prof David Olusoga OBE who appeared as one of the talking-head interviewees on the 'Harry & Meghan' Netflix series; and the high profile menopause and wellness specialist, Dr Louise Newson.

While events will take place in a wide variety of venues in and around Chester, the Town Hall will be the central hub, with all events ticketed but free, and bookable in advance through the Chester Festival of Ideas website (festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk).  Festival go-ers will be able to experience anything and everything from discussion panels to pop-up exhibitions, live theatre to interactive events, music to readings, guided walks, and much more. 

Among the highlights in Chester Cathedral will be the opportunity on 6 July from 11am-1pm to test out a prototype Virtual Reality headset to experience walking around Chester's 14th Century Church of St John the Baptist.

Visitors are encouraged to make a long weekend of it.  There is a fantastic range of hotels in Chester of all sizes and ratings, ranging from modest and affordable family-run establishments, right up to the luxury 5-star spa hotels.

The Festival has been created by the University of Chester, in association with Marketing Cheshire and other partners, and events will be inclusive and accessible. 

For further information on the Chester Festival of Ideas visit festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk .

--- Ends –

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Marketing Cheshire is the official tourist board for Cheshire, Chester and Warrington. It is responsible for promoting the area nationally and internationally to investors, business and leisure visitors, and residents.

PRESS ENQUIRIES:                Julia Spence, Natalie Postlethwaite, Hugh Collins or Evie Holland

                                                JSPR

                                                Tel: 01491 824524 or mobile 07802 443113

                                                Email: juliaspence.pr@gmail.com