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. The programme is below, so come along to the Conference FREE OF CHARGE or please buy your tickets and we look forward to seeing you at the Festival!
We would like to thank Dr. Vittorio Bufacchi for organising the Conference, Tony McAleavy for his help, The Old Bell Hotel and the URC for their kind donation of venues and Explore Malmesbury for their support.
Kim Power (Ch) on behalf of THoMS
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY & EXPLORE MALMESBURY
Sat 28th March talk £5 GUIDED WALKS £5 (Children 15 and under Free of Charge)
A year ago in brilliant sunshine, you may have enjoyed seeing Cotswold Archaeology digging in the front garden of the URC in search of the family home of Thomas Hobbes. This year, on the 28th March Cotswold Archaeology are displaying the finds from their dig. They are giving us an illustrated talk about the dig which will start promptly at 12.45pm, to fit in with Philosophy Conference lunch break, so please arrive in good time. Tickets are £5 each and are available to purchase online via Malmesbury Town Council’s website here or go to https://malmesbury.gov.uk/what-s-on/thomas-hobbes-festival/whats-on/thomas-hobbes/cotswold-archaeology-the-dig or search for Hobbes under “What’s On”. Tickets may also be purchased from the counter of the Tourist Information Centre at Malmesbury Town Hall.
Additionally 'Explore Malmesbury' are kindly arranging some guided tours through nearby Malmesbury in the footsteps of Thomas Hobbes. These were very popular last year and will be to and from the URC, leaving at 11.15am and 2.15am again at a discounted rate of only £5 per person (children 15 years and younger go free). Buy at the URC before the walk.
INTERNATIONAL PHILOSOPHY CONFERENCE
Sat 28th March & Sun 29th March Free of Charge at the URC
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. The Full Programme, with names of international speakers, subjects and timings are available on our Events Page CLICK HERE
FESTIVAL DINNER & PERFORMANCE
Sat 28th March 7pm for 7.30pm at Malmesbury Town Hall £35
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 via Malmesbury Town Council (online or via the Tourist Info Centre Counter). Dress informal and 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
TALK
Fri 27th March 7pm for 7.30pm at The Old Bell Hotel £10
"Malmesbury During The Lifetime of Thomas Hobbes" 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.
