THESE 25 photos highlight the action at the first edition of a new festival in Cirencester.

Cirencester History Festival has described its debut as ‘incredible’, adding that 99 per cent of tickets were sold across the festival programme.

What’s more, the event has already announced that it will return in the autumn of 2025.

This year’s festival took place from Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3.

History was brought to life with events ranging from Gruesome Gargoyle workshops to talks with figures like Mary-Ann Ochota, Rev Richard Coles, Cat Jarman and Charles Spencer (brother of Diana, Princess of Wales).

Charlie Cooper, Max Hastings, Ronald Hutton, Natalie Haynes and Jonathan Dimbleby also participated in the festival.

Over 15 venues played host to events, including the Corinium Museum, the Parish Church of St John Baptist, Bingham Hall and the Barn Theatre.

Commenting on the festival, producer Jess Yarrow said: “What an amazing and exhausting nine days.

“We’ve welcomed some huge names to Cirencester and offered a platform to many brilliant local people too.

“We’ve learned, we’ve congregated and we’ve celebrated our wonderful town - it’s been truly incredible.”

Festival president Dame Fiona Reynolds added: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Charlie Cooper joined us at the last minute to talk about Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country.

“His passion for landscape, folklore and human connection truly resonated with our audience, as did his evident pride in his hometown.

“Cirencester History Festival has been built on an extraordinary collaboration of more than 30 local organisations and has community spirit at its core.

“The positive feedback and goodwill have been quite astonishing, and it’s been wonderful to feel the town buzzing with creative energy and to see shops and cafes full and venues packed.

“We are so proud of Cirencester.”