23 and 24 November 2024
IWM Duxford
£50
Saturday Programme and Tickets Discover IWM History Festival 2024
Visit IWM’s Second World War airfield for the return of IWM History Festival, designed for people with a real passion for Second World War history. Tickets are on sale now for Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November 2024.
Discover Cassino '44, the bloodiest battle of the Italian campaign with James Holland. Uncover the true tale of 'Churchill’s Mavericks' with Damien Lewis in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Celebrate the extraordinary stories of inspirational women in the fight for peace with Dr Helen Fry.
You can build your own history-packed programme from:
- 17 author talks and book signings
- 12 behind the ropes tours
- 8 collections up close opportunities
- 3 extra special celebrity personal experiences
- 2 history packed days
- 1 history-making venue
As a charity, every ticket purchase helps IWM continue to tell stories for future generations.
Choose your day and build your ticket
All sessions have limited availability and will sell fast.
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Saturday 23 November
Highlights include exclusive special personal tours with James Holland and Dilip Sarkar. Plus, talks and book signings with Damien Lewis, Helen Fry and more.
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Sunday 24 November
Highlights include Masters of the Air author Donald L. Miller streaming live from the US, talks with leading authors and a special 'My IWM' tour with Max Hastings.
For people who know why history matters
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© IWMNew books, authors and stories
Meet popular historians and best-selling authors presenting a wide range of stories, themes and research to explore together. Including new releases from James Holland and Damien Lewis published just in time for IWM History Festival.
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©Apple TV+Special tours
Enjoy expert tours to discover Duxford's historic past. Explore the legend behind 'Masters of the Air' Mighty Eighth and 78th Fighter Group. Or delve into the stories of the Hawker Hurricane, Avro Lancaster or P-51 Mustang.
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© James HollandExclusive personal tours
Exclusive and unmissable, discover AirSpace out-of-hours with a personal highlights tour led by James Holland. Or join Dilip Sarkar for a tour of The Operations Room, the command centre of Duxford's Battle of Britain story.
The books that inspired our sessions will be available to purchase for author signings on the day. As a charity, every book purchase supports the work we do.
Saturday IWM History Festival highlights
Choose five sessions from author talks, Collections Up Close sessions, Stories Behind the Objects experiences and Behind the Ropes Tours.
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Helen Fry - Women In Intelligence
Author Talks and Book Signings
Join an illuminating talk as acclaimed author and historian Dr Helen Fry takes you on a journey through the riveting world of women in British Intelligence. Her groundbreaking new book unveils their pivotal roles across the first half of the twentieth century.
Purchase on the day: Women In Intelligence: The Hidden History of Two World Wars by Helen Fry
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©IWMJohn Shields - N3200 & Spitfire Pilot Geoffrey Stephenson
Stories Behind the Objects Talks and Book Signings
Get up-close to Spitfire N3200, the aircraft flown by 19 Squadron Leader Air Commodore Geoffrey Stephenson. Join author John Shields as he unveils the remarkable story of the seasoned fighter pilot whose legacy is etched in the skies and the heart of aviation history.
Purchase on the day: Spitfire Pilot Air Commodore Geoffrey Stephenson: The Biography of the Pilot of Duxford’s Spitfire Mk.I N3200 by John Shields
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Damien Lewis - SAS Daggers Drawn
Author Talks and Book Signings
Prepare to be transported into the heart of daring covert operations as bestselling author Damien Lewis unveils the gripping saga of the SAS during the Second World War. Delve into the untold stories of these elite warriors who defied the odds and shaped history.
Purchase on the day: Daggers Drawn: In For the Kill - The Mavericks Who Made the SAS by Damien Lewis.
James Holland and AirSpace
My IWM exclusive personal tour
Join an exclusive after hours experience as renowned historian and aviation enthusiast James Holland takes you on a private journey through the heart of our AirSpace Hangar. This is a rare opportunity to explore James' favourite aircraft, each holding a unique story of innovation, heroism, and aviation history.
Dilip Sarkar and The Ops Room
My IWM exclusive personal tour
Step back in time for an extraordinary, exclusive experience as renowned Second World War aviation expert Dilip Sarkar leads an immersive tour through the heart of history - the Operations Room, Duxford's command centre during the Battle of Britain.
The perfect event for anyone interested in war history and a unique opportunity to experience the stories first-hand.
—The Cambridge Independent
Sunday IWM History Festival highlights
Explore Second World War military themes with leading authors and historians. Choose from author talks, Behind the Ropes tours, Collections Up Close sessions and Stories Behind the Objects experiences.
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Damien Lewis - The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Author Talks and Book Signings
As Damien Lewis’ book prepares to leap from the pages to the silver screen, he will discuss the challenges and excitement of bringing this gripping narrative to life. Also learn about the casting, the historical accuracy, and the adrenaline-fuelled action sequences that will captivate audiences.
Purchase on the day: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill's Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops by Damien Lewis
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An Interview With Clare Mulley - Agent Zo
Author Talks and Book Signings
Join historian, author, and broadcaster Clare Mulley as she unveils the remarkable story of Elżbieta Zawacka, also known as ‘Elizabeth Watson,' but more often as ‘Zo.' In her latest book, Agent Zo, Clare Mulley brings this forgotten heroine back to life, transforming the way we see women’s agency in the Second World War.
Purchase on the day: Agent Zo: The Untold Story of Fearless Second World War Resistance Fighter Elzbieta Zawacka by Clare Mulley
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Dr David Kenyon - Bletchley Park and D-Day
Author Talks
Bletchley Park's David Kenyon reveals the meticulous intelligence agency that operated behind the scenes. Learn how the collation of information extracted from enemy signals traffic years before D-Day played a vital role in the preparations for this turning point in the Second World War.
Purchase on the day: Bletchley Park and D-Day
Donald Miller - Masters of the Air Live from the US
Author Talk Live Stream
A riveting live broadcast featuring acclaimed historian Donald L. Miller and author of Masters of the Air now a major Apple TV+ series. Broadcasting from the heart of the United States, this event will delve into the untold stories of the brave bomber crews who took to the skies during The Second World War. Miller’s book chronicles the heroic efforts of the Eighth Air Force - the young American airmen who flew B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators over Nazi-occupied Europe.
Purchase on the day: Pre-signed copies of Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller
Explore AirSpace With Max Hastings
My IWM exclusive personal tour
Join an extraordinary out-of-hours experience as renowned historian and author Max Hastings takes you on a private journey through the heart of our AirSpace Hangar. This exclusive tour offers a rare opportunity to explore Max Hasting's favourite aircraft, each holding a unique story of innovation, heroism, and aviation history.
The 78th Fighter Group - The Thunderbolts of Duxford
![© IWM [FRE 2774] – Captain Harold E. Stump and 2nd Lieutenant George J. Hays of the 78th Fighter Group with a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Bad Medicine", 15 October 1943. Stump was among those killed on 10 June 1944.](https://media.iwm.org.uk/cantaloupe/iiif/2/401||518||large_000000.jpg/full/910,/0/default.jpg)
Behind the Ropes Tours
Discover the history and legacy of the 78th Fighter Group, one of the most successful fighter units of the US Eighth Air Force during the Second World War. Based at RAF Duxford from April 1943 to October 1945, the 78th Fighter Group flew over 200 combat missions, escorting bombers, attacking enemy airfields, and supporting ground troops.
General Event Information
Group Bookings
- Please contact us if you are interested in bringing a group or a coach party to IWM History Festival.
Changes to published line-up
- Any changes to the line-up or session timings before the weekend will be published on our website.
- Changes outside of IWM's control on the day may impact on timings, run time and your pre-booked line-up. Our volunteers and staff will be on hand to help you find alternative sessions.
How to get here
- IWM Duxford is just south of Cambridge at Junction 10 of the M11 motorway, less than 50 miles from central London and approximately 40 minutes from the M25 (Junction 27).
- Via the M11, IWM Duxford is easily accessible from the A1, A14, M1 and the North.
- For satnav, please use postcode: CB22 4QR
- Please book a free parking permit if you intend to travel by car and park onsite at the event.
- Event shuttle buses from Cambridge train station and Trumpington Park and Ride will not be available for IWM History Festival.
- The nearest train stations to IWM Duxford are Whittlesford Parkway, Royston and Cambridge.
- There are taxi ranks at Royston and Cambridge, or you can take the 7A bus from Whittlesford Parkway (Saturday only).
- On Saturday only, the A2B Bus and Coach Ltd offer their 7a bus, stopping at IWM Duxford and Whittlesford Parkway Station. Further details and timetable are available here*.
- On Sunday only, Myalls coaches offer their 132 bus service from Cambridge Station to IWM Duxford. Find out more about their timetable now.
- Please contact the relevant bus or train company direct if you have any enquiries related to transport services.
Ticket terms and conditions
- Please read our general terms and conditions that apply to IWM event bookings.
Location
Address
IWM Duxford
Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB22 4QR
- Royston Station
- Whittlesford Parkway Station