Bacon 400 Commemoration in 2026
Category : Events
Bacon 400 is a significant year-long commemoration marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Sir Francis Bacon, one of history’s greatest philosophers, scientists, writers and statesmen. His home and final resting place, St Albans will be the focal point for global commemorations, featuring lectures, exhibitions, and community activities that celebrate his enduring legacy. Many other places around the world will also be planning Francis Bacon events.
Further details are available at https://francisbaconsociety.co.uk/the-society/bacon-400-events/
Confirmed Dates and Events for the Year
| Date | Event / Details | Location / Notes |
| 20 Jan | Jonathan Tod and FBRT event and lunch | 10:30am outside Charing Cross. |
| 22 Jan | Fireside chat with S Lipscomb and J. Norman | 7pm at Gorhambury; tickets sold out. |
| 20 Feb & 16 June | Sir Francis Bacon and Gray’s Inn – Tour | 11:30–2:30 at Gray’s Inn; open to all, £50 ticket, book online. |
| 18 Mar | Joint Evensong with St Michael’s Choir, Trinity Cantab & St Albans School | St Michael’s, 5pm. |
| 9 Apr | Talk by Peter Dawkins & Mark Rylance. ‘Bacon, author of the modern world?’ | Time & title TBC. |
| 9 Apr–7 Sept | Museum: Family Friendly Bacon Display and science themed things later in the year | Assembly Room; Info: bacon400.com |
| 13 Apr–7 May | Exhibition: Francis Bacon – A Man of His Time or a Man for All Time? | Cathedral; launch event 13 Apr time TBC; linked to Bacon’s Essays |
| 15 Apr | Members Only Event | Gray’s Inn, time TBC |
| 25 Apr | Deborah Spring talk: ‘Nichodemites and Nonconformists’ The Bacons and Religious Change in Tudor England | Cathedral, Alban Room, 1:30–3pm; bookable onsite |
| 14 May | Gorhambury Bacon Walk (Easy) | £25; 10:30am start |
| 15 Jun | Gorhambury Bacon Walk (Medium) | £25; 10:30am start |
| 10 Sept | Gorhambury Bacon Walk (Hard) | £30; 9:30am start |
| 19 May | Arch and Arch talk by Lucy Hughes-Hallett: Bacon and Buckingham. | 7:45pm start |
| 21 May | Gray’s Inn Archive Event | Details TBC. |
| 25 Jun | Paula Henderson talk: Sir Francis Bacon’s ‘Greater Perfection’ and his love of gardens and plants | Serge Hill, 6:30pm; 50–80 guests; approx. £45 contact becky@sergehillproject.co.uk |
| June (TBC) | Meditation at Bacon’s Mount | Around Summer Solstice; tbc |
| 10–11 Jul | Performance: The Winding Stair | K’bury Barn and Church, 7:30pm; tickets via OVO website from Jan. |
| 11 Jul | Tudor Fayre | 11-4, St Michael’s. |
| 12 Jul | St Michael’s Worship 9.30, Picnic in Vicarage Garden, Come and Sing Tudor Evensong, 4pm & Talk by Deborah Spring on the Gorhambury and St Michael’s ‘Set up’. | All day |
| Sept 17 | Demi-Sixteen Bacon Concert | 7:30 pm. £25 a ticket. |