All roads lead to Gloucester this weekend - at least for lovers of history, heritage, intrigue, politics and lively debate.

The Gloucester History Festival is back for 2024 with the popular three-day Spring Weekend at Blackfriars Priory, starting today (Friday)

And just like the main festival held every September, it's going to be a rollicking ride through the past and the present.

Among the headline speakers taking to the stage this weekend are the BBC's International Editor Jeremy Bowen, acclaimed TV historians Michael Wood, Suzannah Lipscomb and Janina Ramirez, former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace MP, Empireland author Sathnam Sanghera and ace-prankster Dom Joly.

In total there are 18 events and the line-up cements the festival's reputation for bringing the world's leading experts to the city to share their discoveries and engage in live discussion with their fans and followers.

If ticket sales are anything to go by, audiences agree. Demand at the box office has been keener than ever and while some events sold out in hours, there are still some much-prized seats available for events on all three days.

This weekend thousands of people will pass through the ancient archways of Blackfriars, the 13th century landmark in the very heart of medieval Gloucester, to take part in the festival.

Once inside, they will sit inside one of the finest buildings of its kind in Europe and beneath a remarkable wooden beamed ceiling made of royal oaks that were gifted by Henry III. It's hard to think of another history festival in the country which can boast such awe-inspiring surroundings.

So whether your passion is Tudor Kings and Queens or the story of Ukraine, the origins of the Empire or the Siege of Gloucester, the Princes in the Tower or 75 years of NATO, there's something to uplift and enjoy in Gloucester this weekend.

Visit gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk  to book tickets for this weekend and for more details on the Autumn Gloucester History Festival which runs from September 7 - 22.