About the festival
The name Hereford derives from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘hére’, meaning army or body of armed men, and ‘ford’, meaning river crossing. Hereford has been a garrison town for 2,000 years. From the Romans, the Mercians and the Normans through the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil War, it has played an extraordinary role in Britain’s military history.
This inaugural annual festival on the 26th-28th September 2025 will explore global military history with some of the world’s best-known military historians and speakers.
The Festival is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and is committed to supporting the Herefordshire Veteran Support Centre.
Festival Venues
In the 20th century, Hereford again played a critical role in Britain’s military story. The munitions factory at Rotherwas supplied shells to the British army in both world wars and the RAF training base at Credenhill equipped pilots for service in Fighter and Bomber Command.
Today, Stirling Lines in Hereford is the headquarters of 22 SAS Regiment.