Polish Codebreaking Festival at Bletchley Park

25/06/2026
Culture, Events

This summer Bletchley Park and the Polish Cultural Institute, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the Enigma Cipher Centre from Poznań, invite you to discover a powerful story of ingenuity, collaboration and determination.

Across one vibrant weekend, explore how early Enigma breakthroughs by Polish mathematicians and intelligence pioneers helped shape and influence the codebreaking work at Bletchley Park. Through conversation, music, creativity and discovery, this festival invites you to explore and celebrate codebreaking history.

A story that connects nations

Long before Bletchley Park’s large scale codebreaking work started, Polish cryptologists had already achieved what was deemed impossible; breaking German military Enigma. This festival shines a light on that shared history, where ideas, people and ingenuity crossed borders, in the face of uncertainty.

Uncover these connections for yourself, from hands-on challenges inspired by early codebreaking techniques to expert insights into the minds behind the mission of breaking Enigma.

Explore, create and discover

Drop into interactive workshops, meet visiting experts from the Enigma Cipher Centre in Poland, hear from celebrated authors and see codebreaking techniques brought to life through demonstrations and storytelling.

Whether you’re deciphering a puzzle, crafting your own code, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there’s something here for every level of interest.

Families can dive into creative activities together, while those seeking deeper insight can enjoy a programme of talks that reveal the human stories behind the maths.

A festival atmosphere

Throughout the weekend, enjoy live music, performances and taste the flavours of Poland. Relax on the lawns as music drifts across the park or gather with others to share in moments of reflection and celebration.

The full Bletchley Park experience is included, the festival comes at no extra cost to admission.

This event is in partnership with the Polish Cultural Institute, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London and the Enigma Cipher Centre in Poznań.

Find out more and join our evening talk

For those who want to delve deeper, a special evening event will bring together Dr Marek Grajek and Sir Dermot Turing to explore the Polish codebreaking story in greater depth, offering fresh perspectives on a history that still resonates today. For more information go to the separate event page.

Programme of activities available can be found below.

Delicious traditional Polish food will be served throughout the weekend from On’On Grill & Pierogi.

Programme for

Saturday

MANSION BALLROOM
Limited seating available. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis.

10.30-11.00: Introductory Talk
Discover the connection between Bletchley Park and Polish codebreaking, with the Bletchley Park Historians.
11.30-12.30: Talk by author Clare Mulley
Learn about the remarkable life of Polish-born pioneering female special agent Krystyna Skarbek.
13.00-14.00: Talk by Enigma Cipher Centre, Poznań
Hear from leading experts in Polish wartime intelligence and cryptology.
14.30-15.30: Talk by author Clare Mulley
Discover the story of Elżbieta Zawacka, Polish-born Countess and the only woman to parachute from Britain to German-occupied Poland during World War Two.

MANSION LIBRARY
Drop-in

11.00-16.00: Cyclometer Demonstration
Discover the workings of the first electromechanical device created by Marian Rejewski to help break German Enigma keys. Hosted by Jerry McCarthy (The National Museum of Computing).

HUT 1
Limited spaces available. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis.

12.00-12.30: Enigma demonstration by experts from Enigma Cipher Centre, Poznań
14.30-15.00: Enigma demonstration by experts from Enigma Cipher Centre, Poznań

HUT 12
Drop-in

11.00-15.30: Creative Family Workshop
Join the Bletchley Park Learning team for hands on activities and challenges inspired by the pioneering work of Polish codebreakers

TENNIS COURT
Drop-in

11.00-16.00: Discovery Tent
Discover more about Polish codebreaking with the team from the Enigma Cipher Centre, Poznań. Includes a rare opportunity to see objects on display from their collection.

OUTSIDE LAWN

12.30-13.00: Performance by Polish-born and London based jazz vocalist Elwira Rejnowicz
13.30-15.00: Performance by award winning British-Polish singer, songwriter Katy Carr
15.30-16.00: Performance by Polish-born and London based jazz vocalist Elwira Rejnowicz

AUDITORIUM
Separately ticketed event

16.30: Talk: Polish Codebreaking and Bletchley Park
A talk and conversation with Dr Marek Grajek, Sir Dermot Turing and Dr David Kenyon.

FLYPAST

Time TBC: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Bletchley Park is not responsible for the flypasts being conducted. The Flypasts can be cancelled up to and including the day of advertised flypast. These can be for several causes, from unexpected priority tasking, inclement weather, aircraft serviceability, and aircrew availability, among others.