Held at the Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Bangor University’s Main Arts Building, Storiel and Bangor Cathedral, the two-day festival promises a rich programme of workshops, discussions, interactive exhibitions, and guest talks, all designed to bring Bangor’s extraordinary history to life.
The daytime event on 18th October is free and open to the public, with bilingual programming in Welsh and English to reflect the city’s cultural roots.
Headline Talks with Greg Jenner and Kate Williams
A highlight of the festival’s evening programme on both days, will be two headline talks: Greg Jenner, the British public historian, best-selling author, and broadcaster, will deliver “Ask a Historian: An Evening with Greg Jenner”, bringing history to life with his trademark humour and insight, while historian, broadcaster, and best-selling author Professor Kate Williams will present “Queens, Castles and Welsh Heroines: Secrets Behind The Castle Walls”, uncovering the powerful stories and legacies of remarkable women in Welsh history. Tickets are on sale on the Pontio website, and tickets for the morning and afternoon sessions of the “Get thy Bearings!” workshop are available on the Storiel website.
The event is a collaboration between Bangor University (including Pontio), Bangor City Council, Storiel and Bangor Cathedral, with support from several key local institutions. The Bangor History Festival is more than just an event; it is a celebration of community, identity, and the stories that have shaped our past and will influence our future.
Check out the details of all the History festival events below, in our timetable of events for the day.
Friday 17.10.2025
6 PM - 7PM
Greg Jenner is a historian, author and broadcaster whose works include the TV series ‘Horrible Histories’, the ‘Totally Chaotic History’ book series and the ‘You’re Dead To Me’ podcast.
Join Greg as he gives his particular take on all things history!
Theatre Bryn Terfel, Pontio
Standard and Senior £10
Student and child £5
Saturday 18.10.2025
All day
Enjoy activities, interactive displays and things for children on our partner stalls!
- Bangor Maritime Learning Centre
- Confucius Institute
- M-SParc
- Bangor Heritage College
- Menter Iaith Bangor
- LleCHI LleNI Gwynedd Council
- Bangor University Ocean Sciences
10am – 4pm
Enjoy the displays e.g. Medicine in north Wales, Penrhyn estate and slavery, Bangor football, education in Bangor and Kate Roberts and the Bangor College led by the Archives team. The Pontifical will also be on display as part of the Cathedral exhibition in the Council Chamber corridor.
11am-5pm
Come and visit Storiel as part of the Festival
10am - 3pm
A warm welcome to everyone to visit the Cathedral
10 AM
Join Dr Gareth Evans-Jones, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, as he uncovers how pacifism at Bangor shaped our past and present.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Welcome by Lord Dafydd Wigley. Introduction to the talk by Roland Evans, Assistant Head Economy and Community, Cyngor Gwynedd Council. Panel talk on slate history and heritage with Elin Tomos, Dr Dafydd Gwyn and Dr Dafydd Roberts.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Come and learn more about the area’s history and shipwrecks with Dr Michael Roberts, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University.
Pontio PL2, level 2
Learn more about the Cathedral and the Bishops with Dr Shaun McGuinness, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, Bangor University.
The Caernarfonshire Historical Society sponsors the session.
Bangor Cathedral
History of Bangor city (English session)
Meeting place: Pontio reception near Deiniol Road (a)
11 AM
Welcome by Professor William Heath, Head of School, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University.
Introduction to the work of Tom Parry-Jones (John Brinley Jones, PPM Technology) & ‘W.E. Williams: engineer and pioneer of flight’ (Professor Iestyn Pierce, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University).
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Session on the game’s history and identity in Bangor and the north. Chaired by Dr Jonathan Ervine, School of Arts, Culture and Language, with Beth Jones, PhD researcher, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, Bangor University; Glynne Roberts, Bangor football historian and supporter; and Mei Emrys, Welsh football historian (tbc).
Pontio PL2, level 2
History of Main Arts Building (Welsh session)
Meeting place: Reception near College Road (b)
11.15 AM
Come and learn more about the quarries history with Dr Leona Huey and Dr Gary Robinson, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, Bangor University.
Pontio PL5, level 5
11:30 AM– 1 PM
1st Session. 11.30 - 1pm
Fun for the entire family, there’ll be an opportunity to create maps and compare Bangor maps of the past, present and future! Come and learn more about the maps of John Speed. Workshops combining geography with arts and crafts.
Rhys Lloyd Jones will present a fun workshop with Bangor central to it.
Morning session - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gwyl-hanes-bangor-history-festival-tirffurf-get-thy-bearings-tickets-1676153172259?aff=oddtdtcreator
Storiel
12 PM
Come and learn more about the history of the bridge with Kerry Evans, UK Highways A55 Ltd; John Cole and Gareth Jones, Menai Heritage Trust.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Come and learn more with Gwyn Ellis, Education Officer, Cyngor Gwynedd Council.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Lecture by Dr Shaun Evans, Director, Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates, Bangor University.
Pontio PL2, level 2
Meeting place: Reception near College Road (c)
1 PM
Come and learn more about the 9th century monk with Professor Raluca Radulescu, Co-Director, Centre for Arthurian Studies, Bangor University.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Come and learn more about the relationship between locations, emotions and behaviour with the musician and archaeologist Rhys Mwyn.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Learn more with John Richard Williams, author of ‘Er Lles Llawer: Meddygon Esgyrn Môn’
Pontio PL2, level 2
2 PM
Come and learn more about local Jewish history with Professor Nathan Abrams, School of Arts, Culture and Language, Bangor University
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Come and explore Bangor’s LGBTQ+ history, as Dr Gareth Evans-Jones, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, reveals the struggles and triumphs that made a difference.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Come and learn more about the area’s history and take part in the celebrations with Dr Marian Gwyn and Race Council Cymru.
Pontio PL2, level 2
2nd Session. 2pm - 3.30pm
Fun for the entire family, there’ll be an opportunity to create maps and compare Bangor maps of the past, present and future! Come and learn more about the maps of John Speed. Workshops combining geography with arts and crafts.
Rhys Lloyd Jones will present a fun workshop with Bangor central to it.
Afternoon session - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gwyl-hanes-bangor-history-festival-tirffurf-get-thy-bearings-tickets-1676253983789?aff=oddtdtcreator
Storiel
Meeting place: Pontio reception near Deiniol Road (a)
3 PM
Come and learn more about the history of Bangor 1939-45 with Dr Martin Hanks, City Director, Bangor City Council.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT), Main Arts Building
Come and learn more about the area’s history before establishing the city of Bangor with the archaeologist Dr Erin Lloyd Jones.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Come and learn more about the University’s history with the historian Gari Wyn.
Pontio PL2, level 2
Meeting place: Reception near College Road (b)
4 PM
Come and learn about the lives of Charlotte Price White and Gladys Thoday with Dr Dinah Evans, Honorary Research Associate, and Shan Robinson, Senior Special Collections Assistant, Bangor University.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Come and listen to the experiences of individuals who have represented local constituencies. With Cllr Medwyn Hughes, Mayor of Bangor, chairing, the panel includes Sian Gwenllian MS (Plaid Cymru), Senedd Member for Arfon since 2016; Robin Millar (Conservatives), MP for Aberconwy 2019-2024; and Claire Hughes MP (Labour), MP for Bangor Aberconwy since 2024.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Meeting place: Reception near College Road (c)
6pm - 7pm
Professor Kate Williams is a historian, author and television presenter whose works include ‘England’s Mistress’, ‘Becoming Queen’ and ‘The Ring and the Crown: A History of Royal Weddings 1066-2011’. In the final event of the festival, join Kate for an entertaining, insightful and thought provoking journey of history.
Theatre Bryn Terfel, Pontio
Standard and Senior £10
Student and child £5
Collaborators
