Bristol Radical History and the Remembering the Real World War One groups are teaming up to bring you the Bristol Radical History Festival on Sunday 17th September (10.30am – 4.30pm) at M Shed.

Bristol Radical History Festival brings together historians, history groups, publishers and the public for a day of talks, walks, puppet shows and readings, films, bookstalls and displays uncovering radical histories in Bristol, the South West and beyond.

From mutinous Bristolian soldiers to rebellious anarchist women, from Bristol’s underground networks of war resisters to its rioters of 1831 we promise a ‘history-from-below’ approach, with speakers and performers eager to share authentic glimpses of a hitherto undocumented past.

Two important anniversaries are also being celebrated at the Radical History Festival. It is 800 years since the Charter of the Forest was signed granting rights, privileges and protections for the commoner, something which has been central to recent and past struggles to protect the nearby Forest of Dean. It is also 50 years since the ground-breaking History Workshop project was founded, aimed at breaking down barriers between universities and local historians and researching working class ‘history from below’.



A series of history talks are taking place in Studio 1 and 2 on Level 1 from 10.30am – 4.30pm.

Puppet shows, poetry and readings are taking place in the Life Gallery cinema space on Level 1 from 10.30am – 4.30pm.

History walks will be starting at M Shed at 11.30am and 4.30pm.



Twenty five bookstalls and displays are situated on the foyers of Levels 1 and 2.

Radical history videos will be showing all day on the Level 1 foyer.

Travel to M Shed

By Car

Important note: The Bristol Half-Marathon is taking place on Sunday morning so there are road closures in the city-centre (full details here). Direct access to MShed-Whapping Wharf by car will be restricted until 1.30pm. If you are travelling by car to the event please give yourself extra travel time and we advise:

parking south of the river and using the Commercial Road Bridge or Gaol Ferry Bridge to approach M Shed (5-10 min walk)

or to approach M Shed (5-10 min walk) alternatively, you could park north of the city centre in the Trenchard Street, Rupert Street, St James Barton or Cabot Circus Car Parks approaching M Shed from Prince St Bridge (10-15 min walk). Details here.

By Train

From Temple Meads station it is a 15 min walk to M Shed. If you fancy a scenic route by river, another option is to take the Bristol Ferry Service from Temple Meads to Prince St Bridge.

By Bus

Bristol Bus Station will be operating as normal. It is a 15 min walk to M Shed.

Radical History Festival Programme

Note: events will be added to this list and there may be changes of times.