Sir Tony Robinson, actor, presenter, historical expert and star of Blackadder and Time Team, is set to make his adult fiction debut – so we couldn’t not bring him to Farsley Lit Fest 2025.
With stories from his remarkable career and his passion for history, we can’t wait for Tony to introduce us to The House of Wolf; an earthy, entertaining and gloriously witty tale of the Anglo-Saxons, Alfred the Great, and the making of England.
Are you in for a treat! Celebrating an amazing 25 books in 25 years with the release of Our Beautiful Mess, come and join us at The Old Woollen in conversation with bestselling British author Adele Parks.
This year brings a ‘Silver Anniversary’ for this popular author, known for her razor-sharp insights into human relationships and suspenseful storytelling. Adele will be with us as part of Farsley Lit Fest 2025.
Join historian Lesley Newnham as she discusses Burmantofts Pottery, the Leeds Victorian ceramics company which rivalled Doulton and Minton.
Burmantofts Pottery employed some of the leading sculptural and architectural names of the age and invented many new techniques and remains collectable today.
The talk will be accompanied by archives from Burmantofts along side ceramics form the collection held at the Discovery Centre.
Humphry Repton was the successor to ‘Capability’ Brown as Britain’s pre-eminent landscape gardener. He was renowned for inventing the Red Book. This was an artwork for prospective clients that combined hand-written design proposals with theatrical before-and-after watercolour illustrations. Nine were produced for Yorkshire clients. The talk will include Repton’s commission from Earl Fitzwilliam at Wentworth Woodhouse (1791-1794), which introduced him to patronage in Yorkshire.
Step into the hidden world of the SAS with Damien Lewis - award-winning war reporter and best-selling author - as he brings to the stage the secret history of the world’s most legendary special forces unit.
From their daring birth in World War Two to high-stakes modern-day operations, this gripping live show reveals real-life stories of heroism, sacrifice, and strategy. Lewis shares untold tales of sabotage missions, undercover rescues, and extraordinary acts of courage, all drawn from years of frontline reporting and exclusive access to classified sources.
On 23 September 2025, a milestone of sculpture scholarship will be reached by the publication of a catalogue of 1,800 works of European Sculpture in the Royal Collection.
To mark the appearance of this major new work in four volumes, the author Jonathan Marsden (former Director of the Royal Collection) will speak about the Collection with John Chu, Senior Curator of Pictures and Sculpture for the National Trust.
Dr Patrick Eyres will talk about the work of Humphry Repton at Oulton Hall.
Dr Patrick Eyres is the author of 'On the Spot: The Yorkshire Red Books of Humphry Repton, Landscape Gardener'. Repton was renowned for creating the Red Book - his unique mode of presenting design proposals in the form of exquisite one-off artworks exclusively for his patron.
This splendid mosque, built in 2018, with one of the largest chandeliers in Leeds, invites you to discover the architecture and the faith, customs and culture of Islam. Timed to allow a follow on visit to the nearby GNNSJ Gurudwara (Sikh).
The tour will explain the history of this impressive mosque, the high quality of the building materials used, the symbolism on the bronze doors and throughout the building. There are five floors used for prayers which can accommodate 1000 people each Friday. The main floor has the aforementioned chandelier.
Michael Meadowcroft returns to the historic Lancasterian School Room with another talk for Heritage Open Days.
The original Headrow was one of the oldest Leeds thoroughfares and it developed with scores of dwellings and businesses. Eventually it was transformed into a broad modern city centre street. This lecture tells its story.
A warm welcome awaits you at this imposing Gurudwara, chairman Tarlokh Singh Dhajal, beautifully converted from a Ringtons Tea premises. Find out about the building and the Sikh faith, traditions and culture; includes a tour and refreshments.