For centuries Stonehenge has been the subject of fascination and speculation. Archaeologist Julian Richards explores Stonehenge's 'old rocks' and the theories that have emerged from newly available information. Now available on YouTube - https://youtu.be/wfRALRcoAtQ

With a new series of Riot Women in production, BAFTA-winning creator Sally Wainwright discusses the origins of the hit BBC drama. Now on YouTube - Riot Women with Sally Wainwright https://youtu.be/rh1R58_fFDU

Our dear Festival friend, archaeologist Julian Richards, spent some time this morning with MySight York, where people with sight loss and vision impairment got the opportunity to handle archaeological artefacts. #YorkIdeas MySight York

The final day of York Festival of Ideas is here! Let’s wrap up an incredible week with a Friday lineup packed with inspiring debates, brilliant storytellers, and final big ideas. We hope you've enjoyed this year's Festival? See our final events: 👉 https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/

Ready to spark your curiosity? 🧠 Today brings you another spectacular lineup of free events, featuring world-leading experts, immersive exhibitions, and eye-opening discussions. Plan your day and book your free tickets now for our penultimate day: 👉 https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/

All aboard! 🚂 50,000 schoolchildren joined us online today for the 'Story Time Express' 📖 Sir Michael Morpurgo live-streamed from a locomotive at the National Railway Museum reading from his Flying Scotsman book with BBC’s Katie Razzall. What an incredible journey! ✨ #MorpurgoDay #YorkIdeas

What a spellbinding evening we had last night. Festival Patron Michael Morpurgo and cellist Clare O’Connell completely captivated us with 'Songs of Nature' - a beautiful, moving blend of storytelling and music celebrating the wild. 🌱🎶 Here are a few moments from a special night!

Wow! How amazing was Michael Morpurgo online this morning? If your school joined in, let us know how else you're celebrating Michael Morpurgo Celebration Day! #MorpurgoDay

From Victorian jet to modern lab-grown diamonds, Sarah Steele, Curator of Jet at Whitby Museum, discusses why some ‘forever’ gems are measured in catastrophe, not carats. Carbon-Based Gems, Carbon-Based Consequences - 11 Jun https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/carbon-based-gems/

After Michael Morpurgo's beautiful free concert last night he's now in the National Railway Museum preparing for a live online event streamed to more than 48,000 schoolchildren. #YorkIdeas

Get ready for another incredible day! 🌟 From thought-provoking debates with world-class speakers to the wonderful exhibition, Confluence for Change, today is packed with inspiration. Discover the full lineup and book your spots: 👉 https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/

Journalist Karen Bartlett offers a searing insight into the challenges of safely building a new life overseas and the captive fate of women in Afghanistan. The Escape From Kabul: A true story of sisterhood and defiance - 10 Jun https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/escape-kabul/

Brain hats, VR goggles, and 5,000-year-old ancient villages! 🧠✨ We had an absolute blast at Discovery Zone on Sunday. Huge thanks to the brilliant researchers for showing us how science and history are shaping the future. 🔍💡 #YorkIdeas 📷 Ian Martindale

Celebrating the launch of the University of York’s Mumbai campus in India, our expert panel discusses how to create vibrant cross-continental spaces to bring people and communities together. Place, Space and the Making of a New Global University - 10 Jun https://ow.ly/epgH50Z8WHN

Fantastic panel discussion at the weekend 🚄 Loved hearing how London North Eastern Railway is driving sustainability and cutting-edge technology to create a greener future for rail travel. Inspiring insights on how transport can better serve people, places & our planet. 🌱✨ #YorkIdeas

Historian Victoria Whitworth presents a new account of one of the most famous and mysterious manuscripts in the world, The Book of Kells. The Book of Kells: Unlocking the enigma - 10 Jun https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/book-kells/

In the run up to the Space Summit in Paris, our panel from France and the UK explores the scientific, geopolitical, security, environmental, and societal challenges related to space exploration. From Space Exploration to Understanding Earth - 10 Jun https://ow.ly/gzj850Z8WEB

Looking for inspiration? 🧠 Whether you want to uncover ancient history, explore cutting-edge science, or dive into world politics, Tuesday at York Festival of Ideas has something for everyone. Check out today's packed lineup of events: 👉 https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/

Join Richard Gale, an internationally renowned expert in medical diseases of the retina, as he focuses on the critical question: how much vision can be saved in the future? How Much Vision Can We Save in the Future? 9 June https://ow.ly/mc5t50Z8vqN

Join Simon Wilde, cricket correspondent for the Sunday Times, as he takes a compelling new look at the untold story behind one of English sport’s oldest records. Chasing Jessop: The mystery of England cricket's oldest record - 9 June https://ow.ly/VkEr50Z8vqB

On Saturday we hosted #YorkTalks - Heritage Reframed, in the beautiful setting of the historic Heslington Hall at the University of York. We had such a brilliant day, diving into York's research, bridging the past and future - from 18th-century gardens to virtual reality archaeology. 🎮📜

Across oceans and centuries, England and India emerge not as distant worlds but as entangled histories of movement, trade and imagination. Join Nandini Das and William Dalrymple for an in-conversation event on 9 June in partnership with the Jaipur Literature Festival. https://ow.ly/tSFn50Z7ZIM

Discover the 1911 scandal around horse racing tips that saw the Joseph Rowntree Social Service Trust branded a ‘moral cesspool’. Sue Mendus of the University of York digs into the archives to investigate. Six Penn’orth of Hope: Gambling and the Rowntree Trusts - 9 June https://ow.ly/3O9u50Z8vpC

For centuries Stonehenge has been the subject of fascination and speculation. Archaeologist Julian Richards explores Stonehenge's 'old rocks' and the theories that have emerged from newly available information. Stonehenge: Old rocks, new theories - 9 Jun https://ow.ly/8X3250Z8vpt

From eco-art exhibitions and planetary health talks at noon, to a live piano deconstruction project and a deep dive into stunning medieval manuscripts this evening - there is truly something for everyone today. Check out the full line-up 👉 https://ow.ly/ai6E50Z8v8L #YorkIdeas #York #WhatsOnYork

Honouring the courage and sacrifice of the East Yorkshire Regiment at the York Army Museum yesterday. Incredible to see the historic military vehicles, kit, and living history displays up close. A powerful reminder of the human stories behind D-Day. 🎖️#YorkIdeas 📷 Mandy James

Planetary health sees Earth as a living system. Pim Martens of Maastricht University explores why actively regenerating nature, not just doing less harm, is vital for human and non-human life. Planetary Health: Dissolving the human frame - 8 June https://ow.ly/nyGK50Z8vrt

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) a Hollywood-style threat or a tool we can trust? Join experts from the University of York’s CDT in Safe AI (SAINTS) to explore how chatbots have changed the conversation. Beyond the Matrix: The reality of AI risk - 8 Jun https://ow.ly/GX7Z50Z8rGG

What an incredible evening we had yesterday! Fascinating to hear former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in conversation with Gavin Esler yesterday. She shared some brilliant, candid insights into her career and new memoir, Frankly. Here are a few highlights from the night! 👇 📸 Ian Martindale

Aged five, writer Sanjoy Roy encountered his first spirit in his ancestral house in Calcutta. Since then, he has come across a variety of spectres and phantoms. Join him for a fascinating travelogue through the supernatural world. There’s a Ghost in My Room - 8 Jun https://ow.ly/USHn50Z8rFa