With comedians, scientists – and an astronaut

The Cosmic Shambles​ Forest is returning to  Latitude this summer, with a string of science and culture events programmed by comedian Robin Ince and producer Trent Burton

Headlining is Helen Sharman, Britain's first astronaut. In 1991, she responded to a radio advertisement asking 'do you want to be an astronaut?', was selected from more than 13,000 applicants and flew to the Soviet Mir space station, launching into orbit at the age of 27 after just 18 months of training.

On the comedy side, Josie Long,  John-Luke Roberts, Bec Hill and Joanna Neary will all appear, while the lineup includes Inside No. 9’s Reece Shearsmith and comedy classicist Natalie Haynes.

 Scientists on the bill include oceanographer Helen Czerski, particle physicist Jon Butterworth and astrophysicist Hannah Wakeford, who worked on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Ince said: ‘Of all the festival fields that have been my temporary summer homes over the years, Latitude is where we have been able to create some of the wildest and silliest ideas of my career. 

‘It remains a joy to make new friendships, meet new audiences and find new creative partners. Latitude lives on each year long after the gates have closed, in what I build and express for the rest of the year".

The main Apollo Stage hosts talks, panels, podcasts and late-night events. A new, smaller Satellite Stage is designed for workshops and more intimate conversations. Museum Street returns with hands-on exhibits and interactive displays – including the Margate Crab Museum, the National Space Centre and Braintastic!, an interactive neuroscience exhibit.

Live podcast recordings include Book Shambles​, Science Shambles​ and The History Aunties while an evening cinema programme will also run throughout the weekend.

This year carries extra significance as Latitude is marking its 20th anniversary and the Cosmic Shambles​ team has been involved since the very first edition, with the Forest programming starting last year.

Burton said: ‘Last year, we built something we were incredibly proud of, and the response from packed-out audiences was frankly a bit overwhelming. So rather than simply run it back, this year we’re going bigger. Because that’s the Shambles​ way. A whole extra stage, more performers, more shows, more museums and definitely more crabs. And an astronaut.'

Latitude 2026 runs from July 24 to 27,

Published: 26 Feb 2026