BBC History Magazine Weekends

Join us for three BBC History Magazine weekends with Warner Leisure Hotels and enjoy a selection of talks by some of Britain’s top historians.

BBC History Magazine
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Bestselling authors and broadcasters Suzannah Lipscomb and Tracy Borman will be your guides to the world of the Tudors, while early medieval expert Michael Wood will be examining the life and reign of Athelstan, king of the Anglo-Saxons. Elsewhere, historians and broadcasters Dan Jones and Janina Ramirez will be exploring aspects of the medieval era, and expert James Holland will be delving into the Second World War. 

To find out where each of the historians will be appearing, see break details and bios below.

What to expect on a BBC History magazine experience
  • Two 45-minute talks on each day, each followed by an audience Q&A.
  • Fun history quiz with prizes, hosted by a well-known historian and a chance to mingle with and chat with that day’s expert speakers.
  • Plus, you’ll get delicious breakfasts, three-course dinners, daily activities, nightly entertainment, and so much more already included within the price of your break.
An example of the weekend itinerary

 

Friday evening – Welcome and introduction to the weekend experience hosted by historian and our Warner Entertainment team. 
Saturday afternoon – History talk and Q&A session with Tracy Borman and Janina Ramirez. 
Saturday evening – Get to grips with history close to our hotels with a session ran by Mary Ann Ochota. 
Sunday afternoon – Suzannah Lipscomb and Michael Wood will host a history talk and answer your questions. 
Sunday evening – History Quiz hosted by the BBC History Magazine team, plus appearances from historians.

 

All breaks include:

✔ Bed, Breakfast and Dinner   All evening entertainment   Activities   Leisure facilities  Room treats   Sensational service     Read more

Meet the Historians

Dan Jones

Appearing at Holme Lacy House

Dan Jones is a historian, presenter and journalist, and the author of numerous internationally bestselling books about medieval history, most recently Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages. Dan has also written and presented several documentaries, including the popular Netflix/Channel 5 series Secrets of Great British Castles, and Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty: The Plantagenets.

James Holland

Appearing at Studley Castle

An internationally acclaimed and award-winning Second World War historian, writer, and broadcaster, James has written a number of best-selling histories, including Brothers in Arms: One Legendary Tank Regiment's Bloody War from D-Day to VE-Day. James has also written and presented several TV programmes and series, including Normandy ’44: D-Day and the Battle for France and the BBC’s The Battle for Malta.

Janina Ramirez

Appearing at Littlecote House, Studley Castle and Home Lacy House

Janina is a cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the University of Oxford. She is the author of seven books, most recently the Sunday Times bestseller Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It, and has presented a number of TV documentaries, including Raiders of the Lost Past and The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci.

Mary Ann Ochota

Appearing at Littlecote House, Studley Castle and Home Lacy House

Broadcaster and author Mary-Ann Ochota is a familiar face on TV archaeology programmes, including the cult show Time Team and Smithsonian Channel hit Mystic Britain, and is author of Hidden Histories: A Spotter’s Guide to the British Landscape and Secret Britain: Unearthing our Mysterious Past. She’s passionate about Britain’s archaeology and will share how, with just a few pointers, we can identify and understand the historical stories written into the landscapes around us. She’ll also be revealing some of the most intriguing and iconic sites and finds from the local area. @MaryAnnOchota www.maryannochota.com

Michael Wood

Appearing at Littlecote House

An acclaimed historian, film maker and broadcaster with over 40 years’ experience, Michael has presented over 120 documentaries, including the BBC series The Story of England. He is also Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester and author of several number one best-selling books. Michael is currently working on his long-awaited biography of Athelstan, the first King of England.

Suzannah Lipscomb

Appearing at Littlecote House and Studley Castle

An award-winning historian, author and broadcaster, Suzannah has authored and edited seven books, most recently, What is History, Now? with Helen Carr, and The Voices of Nîmes: Women, Sex, and Marriage in Reformation Languedoc. Suzannah has written and presented historical documentaries on BBC 4, ITV, More 4, Channel Five, PBS, UKTV, National Geographic, History Channel, and Yesterday, and is also Professor Emerita at the University of Roehampton, Senior Member at St Cross College, Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries.

Tracy Borman

Appearing at Littlecote House, Studley Castle and Home Lacy House

A best-selling author, historian and broadcaster, as well as Joint Chief Curator for Historic Royal Palaces, Tracy makes regular appearances on television and radio, including Yesterday, BBC, Channel 5 and Netflix. Tracy is also the author of a number of highly acclaimed books, including Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History, and has recently completed her first theatre tour: How To Be A Good Monarch - an audiovisual tour of the last thousand years of the British monarchy.

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Included in the price of every break

Great value breaks with so much included

  • Breakfast and dinner

    Delicious breakfasts and three-course dinners featuring tempting classics with either help yourself buffet or waiter service.

  • Activities

    Choose from dance and fitness classes, spa and wellness, bike rides, archery, quizzes, walking tours and more.

  • Leisure facilities

    Heated pools and a steamy sauna, plus a cinema, games room and other sports facilities at selected locations.

  • Entertainment

    Nightly spellbinding performances from vocalists, bands and comics to choreographed and costumed shows.

  • Room treats

    All rooms come with a generously stocked tea tray, plus a selection of toiletries in the bathroom.

  • A woman sitting at a table with a waiter, engaged in conversation.

    Sensational Service

    Our team are happy to help with anything you need and there's no charge for parking and high-speed Wi-Fi.

  • Free, high-speed wifi

  • Free Parking

  • Adults only

  • Tea and coffee in room

  • Wheelchair accessible