Missed a talk at York Festival of Ideas? Catch up on our inspiring sessions, world-class speakers, and thought-provoking debates any time on YouTube! Watch again now: ⏯️https://www.youtube.com/@YorkIdeas #YorkIdeas

Join acclaimed author Alexander McCall Smith, creator of the iconic No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, for an in-conversation event as he discusses his work and the importance of kindness. Now on YouTube - Human Kindness in a Volatile World https://youtu.be/Lix2OMPOPlM

Join award-winning journalist and presenter Clive Myrie as he discusses his deeply personal journey filming the BBC series African Adventure. Now on YouTube - Clive Myrie’s African Adventure https://youtu.be/JHv-JrkEoEI

Go behind the scenes of the Channel 5 drama All Creatures Great and Small with its Script Executive Donna Metcalfe and the series’ historical consultant Mark Roodhouse. Now on YouTube - Behind the Scenes of All Creatures Great and Small https://youtu.be/SgE2bOYYx8s

Join Sian Williams, broadcast journalist and counselling psychologist, for tips, expert research and stories from those who’ve learnt how to ride the worry wave to thrive. Now on YouTube - The Power of Anxiety: How to ride the worry wave https://youtu.be/L_ZjOIZgi68

Historian and broadcaster Anna Whitelock offers a panoramic history of the arrival of the Stuarts, revealing how the reign of King James I saw England reach new corners of the globe. Now on YouTube - The Sun Rising: James I and the dawn of a global Britain https://youtu.be/5ZcLb3R2vRk

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. Now on YouTube - Chasing Jessop: The mystery of England cricket's oldest record https://youtu.be/-Noc0pwx6S4

In 1939, Sutton Hoo revealed a ghostly 27m ship imprint in the sand. Martin Carver explores the reconstruction of this 7th-century vessel and planned trials to put it back on the water. Now on YouTube - The Experimental Sutton Hoo Ship https://youtu.be/5k8PxN1ZLdo

Historian Victoria Whitworth presents a new account of one of the most famous and mysterious manuscripts in the world, The Book of Kells. Now on YouTube - The Book of Kells: Unlocking the enigma https://youtu.be/fdaNBsWZQnU

Lost in Joyce? Postgraduate researcher Chris Wogan of the University of York reveals how you can use trees as your map, including for his most difficult texts, Ulysses and Finnegans Wake. Now on YouTube - James Joyce's Trees https://youtu.be/TXMz23ZIzsY

Discover the legacies of Doctor Who giants David Whitaker & Terrance Dicks with biographer Simon Guerrier. Enjoy exclusive insights from their University of York archives. Now on YouTube: Adventures in Time, Space and Television! https://youtu.be/KzwNWBC9vnw

Join archaeologist Colm O'Brien as he explores themes of landscape, power, creativity and intellect in Early Medieval Northumbria – the age of Lindisfarne and Bede. Now on YouTube - Northumbria AD 367-867 https://youtu.be/dEBq8yeidRk

Serious Play: Adult learning through games. This was a panel I was asked to be in at @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social hosted by the PLaY group at York Uni. Panel starts about 45s into the video. youtu.be/yEYMJxIlc0Y?... #playfulLearning

Serious Play: Adult learning through games

YouTube video by York Ideas

youtu.be

Two great cities. One fierce rivalry. Join historian Adrian Goldsworthy to discover more about Athens and Sparta, the two big players in Ancient Greece. Now on YouTube - Athens and Sparta: The rivalry that shaped ancient Greece https://youtu.be/Ud6tE1Ghzv0

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

On Saturday CECS staff (inc Jennie Batchelor Emma Major, Alison O'Byrne, Chloe Wigston Smith, Lizzy Spencer, Will Tullett & Jim Watt) were thrilled to support a weekend of #heritage talks & a crafting workshop with @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social Credit: York Festival of Ideas/Bec Hudson Smith

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