THE Malmesbury Philosophy Festival 2014 takes place next week with a programme exploring such wide-ranging topics as conversation, coffee, books and walking.

There will be talks on Malmesbury’s renowned philosopher Thomas Hobbes – who had an inkwell built into his walking stick so that he could note down any interesting thoughts during his daily walk – on John Aubrey and on Plato as well as a talk and film on the life and works of political philosopher Hannah Arendt, an escapee from Nazi Germany.

Speakers include Stuart Evans, project director of the Northumberland National Park, and Jean Harvest who gives a presentation on Maud Heath’s Causeway, the initiative of a 15th century woman to provide a dry path along which people could walk to Chippenham Market via Bremhill and Langley Burrell.

Laurie Lee’s centenary will be commemorated with a talk on As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning and natural navigation techniques will be explored by writer Tristan Gooley.

Philosopher Mark Vernon explores what it is that makes a good city or town such as Malmesbury.

One of the highlights of the festival, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, October 9 to 12, is the coffee house festival, including coffee tasting, at the Old Bell Hotel on the Sunday morning.

Tickets will be available on the door for each event. For more information and to book tickets, go to philosophytown.co.uk.