THE THOMAS HOBBES FESTIVAL 2026
Friday 27th TO Sunday 29th March 2026
We are so excited to tell you about the fantastic Festival we have planned for this year, following on from our first great Festival in 2025. So what’s happening:
INTERNATIONAL PHILOSOPHY CONFERENCE Sat 28th March- to Sun 29th March An incredible and rare opportunity to hear some of the most knowledgeable speakers in the world talk on aspects of Thomas Hobbes philosophy…. and because this is such a brilliant opportunity, we are making this event completely FREE for everyone to go along and listen to them presenting their ideas. You can stay for one paper ( approx 15 mins) or for the whole conference. Also, it’s being held in the United Reformed Church, St Mary’s St, Malmesbury SN16 0BJ, by the site of Thomas Hobbes family home. More details are available on our Events Page CLICK HERE
FESTIVAL DINNER & PERFORMANCE Sat 28th March
Come along to an evening dinner event of delicious food, great company, and ending with an after dinner Performance and talk - 'John Aubrey In Conversation' ... "John met his friend Thomas as a child. Now in his senior years, he travels forward in time to tell us about Thomas, his life and times, and with intimate knowledge of Malmesbury people, life changing events, scandals and intrigue...” John O’Brien with Tony McAleavy. £35 per ticket. At Malmesbury Town Hall. Dress informal. Bar available. (Please note: The caterers are providing a wide range of hot dinner buffet dishes, including vegetarian options, however if you have any specific allergies or questions, please email us at hobbesofmalmesburysoc@gmail.com or ask when buying your ticket at the TIC). More details are on our Events Page CLICK HERE
TALKS Fri 27th March "Malmesbury During The Lifetime of Thomas Hobbes" Tony McAleavy.
Tony McAleavy is a local historian who has undertaken in-depth research into the Hobbes family in the sixteenth and seventeenth century. He will tell the story of the childhood of Hobbes in Elizabethan Malmesbury and the later connections between Hobbes as an adult and his home town. He will identify linkages between the politics of the town during his childhood and the later political theorising of Hobbes. The talk will be at the Old Bell Hotel £10 per ticket 7pm for 7.30pm. Bar Available. More details are available on our Events Page CLICK HERE
Sat 28th March Cotswold Archaeology will be explaining what was found during last year’s dig on the site of Thomas Hobbes’ family home. There will be an all day display of the finds too. Details to be confirmed shortly. The talk will be at the United Reformed Church, St Mary’s St, Malmesbury SN16 0BJ
In addition to all this goodness, we will also be having some more Guided Walks, fun activities for children and refreshments at the URC! Again we will provide some details shortly.
We are really looking forward to seeing you over the weekend
Kim
Kim Power ( Ch.) THoMS
