Friday 27 November 2026

Discover Britain as you’ve never seen it before, through the extraordinary archive of Ordnance Survey. It’s been the home of British mapmaking since 1745, and its trusted and treasured maps have borne witness to a phenomenal transformation, from the British Empire to the Industrial Revolution, from World War I to the digital era.

Bestselling writer, explorer and broadcaster Will Millard brings the archive to life, revealing disappearing villages, hidden smuggling paths, top-secret military plans and even the detailed maps of Buckingham Palace gifted to Queen Victoria on her 50th jubilee. An absolute must for anyone who’s spent endless hours plotting their own route through Britain with the aid of a trusty OS map.

Welcome back to the world of legendary spy George Smiley. Nick Harkaway presents his eagerly-awaited new thriller, set in the shadowy world of Cold War espionage, in a story that takes Smiley from Europe to the heart of American intelligence.

A fascinating opportunity to hear Nick discuss the joys and challenges of continuing the legacy of his father, John le Carré, as well as the enduring appeal of George Smiley in today’s unsettled world. He talks to broadcaster Gary Raymond.

Plunge into the sunny, smoky scents of Mexico with acclaimed chef Thomasina Miers – co-founder of restaurant chain Wahaca – as she shares 100 recipes based on 12 star ingredients. From staples such as citrus, tomatoes, chillies, beans, cinnamon and chocolate, she conjures to life bold, bright recipes that will bring the sunshine to your plate through the winter months.

Discover her sumptuous roast chicken stuffed with tomato rice and smoky oregano butter or the deep flavours of sticky onion, blue cheese and bitter leaf salad with chipotle honey. There are even drinks to get the party started – including Thomasina’s iconic blood orange mezcal spritz. Perfect for home cooks who want to make stand-out Mexican flavours without the fuss. She talks to author and journalist Oliver Bullough.

Former BBC Foreign Correspondent Stephen Sackur presents ten dramatic cases where journalists and whistleblowers have exposed the truth, despite the powerful doing everything they can to hide it. From the leaked Pentagon Papers revealing US government lies about the scope of the Vietnam War to Alexei Navalny’s fatal role in challenging Putin’s Russia, Sackur puts forward a passionate case for the vital role of investigative journalism in holding the powerful to account in today’s troubled world.

Sackur talks to journalist and presenter Bethan Rhys Roberts, who herself has covered some of the biggest world events of the past 30 years.

Find inspiration to celebrate and connect with seasonal and spiritual traditions with the Reverend Kate Bottley.

On this fascinating journey through the year in The Faith Almanac, Kate leads us from chalking the door post on Twelfth Night (even the dog can get involved!) and baking King Cake on 6th January, to crafting harvest decorations, preparing for Advent, and all the high days and holy days in between. She talks to writer and broadcaster Cole Morton about how to introduce simple, meaningful rituals into our everyday lives.

Kate rose to fame on Channel 4’s Gogglebox. She now presents Good Morning Sunday on BBC Radio 2 and BBC One’s Songs of Praise.

In this 20-minute interlude between events, Northumbrian folk duo The Brothers Gillespie share their soaring harmonies, playing songs from their new record Kingfisher alongside others featured in the documentary film The Solway (showing at Hay Festival Winter Weekend on Friday 27 November, 7.30pm).

The alt-folk troubadours (siblings James and Sam) are still something of a secret on the UK music scene and yet have a dedicated following all over the land.

Take an unprecedented look inside the world of The Beatles through The Third Eye, as Olivia Harrison discusses the extraordinary collection of more than 200 behind-the-scenes photos taken by her late husband, George.

George Harrison travelled the world with his bandmates, Pentax in hand, chronicling the intimate moments behind their incredible rise to global fame. These unguarded images of Paul, John, Ringo, George and the band’s entourage as they rocketed to stardom brim with wit, experimentation and the joyful madness that came to be known as Beatlemania.

Dickens fan, broadcaster and comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean presents an atmospheric and entertaining evening celebrating the lasting appeal of the classic Christmas novel. She’ll be joined on stage by acclaimed actor Greg Wise, combining dramatic readings with an exploration of each ghostly visitation and Dickens’ inspiration for the story. And if that wasn’t enough, a foley artist will build a true Dickensian atmosphere, creating sound effects live on stage during the performance.

The perfect event to follow the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights – guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit.

A lively and moving evening with award-winning poet Alex Wharton, celebrating the influential Black figures who helped shape Welsh history. Alex will perform readings from his new book Bright Lives, shining a light on incredible people and the extraordinary connections that link them to the story of Wales.

Enjoy a glimpse into history as he brings vividly to life stories such as ‘The Gardener’, a poem about John Ystumllyn, which Sir Lewis Hamilton had stitched into his jacket for the Met Gala, and ‘Diolch Mr Robeson’, which explores the special connection between American singer and activist Paul Robeson and the Welsh miners.

Experience an unforgettable evening of virtuoso piano music in the austere Gothic setting of St Mary’s Church. Internationally-acclaimed pianist Andrew Zolinsky has performed at prestigious venues across the world – and now brings his unique style and interpretations to Hay-on-Wye. Here he presents a concert showcasing pieces for all tastes, with a programme ranging from Copeland’s ‘Piano Blues’ through Beethoven and Debussy to Michael Tippet’s final piano sonata. This is an unmissable chance to witness one of the most distinctive musicians of a generation.

Programme:

Maurice Ravel Sonatine

Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata No 30 in E major Op 109

Claude Debussy Étude Pour les Arpèges Composés

Claude Debussy L’isle joyeuse

Aaron Copeland Nos 3 and 4 from Four Piano Blues

Michael Tippett Sonata No 4.

Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to watch The Solway, a profoundly moving feature documentary, followed by a conversation with its producer and director, Eamon Bourke.

Eamon has lived his whole life unable to remember his mother, who died when he was three. When his father decided to sell the remote cottage where Eamon grew up, he returned to help, and came across an extraordinary archive of tapes recorded by his mother – bringing her back to life in luminous detail. Rediscovering her voice, Eamon attempts to make sense of a tragedy now forty years in the past.

After the screening, Eamon will talk to psychotherapist and author Julia Samuel about this deeply personal meditation on love, memory and grief.

Monsters, in all their terrifying glory, have preoccupied humans since we began telling stories. But where did the stories come from? As night closes in, join author Nicholas Jubber on a chilling journey across the world to discover more about the monsters we’ve invented – giants, dragons, ogres, zombies, ghosts and demons – all with one thing in common: their ability to terrify. Sit on the thrones of giants in Cornwall, visit the shrine of a beheaded ogre near Kyoto, travel to a Balkan vampire’s forest dwelling, and paddle among the shapeshifters of the Louisiana bayous… all from the comfort and safety of Hay Castle.

Round off your evening with a joyful and lively helping of funky brass music, mixing up influences from New Orleans marching bands through to Bronx-inspired Hip Hop and closer-to-home Welsh language pop.

Paying their debt to the age-old tradition of brass bands from the slate mining villages of North Wales, Llareggub Brass Band rise from the ashes of the past to deliver an energetic performance and enough hwyl to get you dancing!

Formed by band leader Owain Roberts in 2015, the band has released several studio albums and EPs. They have toured internationally, and won a BAFTA Cymru award for their documentary Cyrn ar y Mississippi (‘Horns on the Mississippi’).

Greg James and Chris Smith need your help with an incredibly important mission. Ever heard of Santa Claus – a kindly old man who delivers presents to kids each Christmas Eve? Or is he actually a cool, suave super-spy? In this hilarious, high-energy, interactive event, find out how Santa gets recruited by the Secret Service as their newest secret agent, Treble-Ho Seven. Armed with exploding sprouts and smoke-grenade crackers, will he be able to rescue the super-spies and save Christmas? Perfect for families, or anyone who fancies kicking off their Saturday morning with an entertaining hour in the company of Greg and Chris.