Congratulations on securing your place at 1729 Maths Camp 2026.
This page gives you a glimpse of what to expect at camp, including some information about our inspiring speakers who will be joining us.


We are delighted to welcome you to the three day maths camp. You will take part in mathematical exploration, problem-solving and plenty of fun. We hope you enjoyed the challenge during the selection process; we are confident you will love the mathematical ideas, problems and challenges that await you at camp.
Why not try a warm-up problem before you arrive, along with a selection of additional “problem of the week” challenges?
Key Information
1729 Maths School, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill Village, London, NW7 1QS
19–21 August 2026
Camp Day 9am - 3.30pm (Early drop-off from 8:30am and Pick-up until 4pm)
Arrival, Registration & Programme
Full details about arrival, registration, a map of the school and what to expect etc) will be shared closer to the time.
See you in August and good luck with the challenge!
Welcome & Introduction – Start the day with Nick, Vlada and Megan
Maths Horizons - Lecture by Dr Ed Southall
Break
Discovering the Maths Circle: What it is and why it works
Icebreakers & Group Sessions – Head to your rooms, get to know fellow participants and settle into your Maths Circle
Lunch
Maths Circle Session Topic 1 - Problem-solving in small groups
Break
Maths Inspiration - Lecture by Rob Eastaway
Welcome & Introduction - Start the day with Vlada and Megan
Magic Cards by Victor Kleptsyn, CNRS
Break
Maths Circle Session Topic 2
Lunch
Maths Circle Session Topic 3
Break
Closing Lecture - Conclude the day with an inspiring final talk by Victor Kleptsyn
Start the Day with Maths Battles - Kick off with the fast-paced and interactive WeSolveProblems Maths Battles
Parents' Meeting - An opportunity for parents to meet Nick Hamshaw, learn more about the programme and ask questions
Inspiring Lecture - Enjoy a thought-provoking talk from Alex Bellos. For both parents and students!
Breaks will be staggered throughout the day. Following the Maths Battle, each group will have lunch together according to its own schedule.
Bestselling mathematics author, puzzle creator and Guardian columnist
Renowned for making mathematics engaging, accessible and fun, Alex has inspired readers around the world through his books, articles and talks.
A passionate advocate for curiosity-driven learning, he believes mathematics teaches us far more than numbers, it develops clear thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills that last a lifetime.
Fun fact: Before becoming one of the world's best-known mathematics communicators, Alex even wrote the autobiography of football legend Pelé!
Mathematician working in dynamical systems, probability and geometry.
Victor is a Research Director (CNRS) and is widely known for his outstanding contribution to mathematical outreach and the Maths Circle movement. Victor has been a long-time lecturer at the Summer Conference of the Tournament of Towns and at the “Contemporary Mathematics” Summer School in Dubna, where he has inspired generations of students and teachers with his clear, engaging and deeply insightful talks.
Fun fact: Victors lectures reveal the beauty of modern mathematics while making sophisticated ideas accessible to a broad audience.
A mathematics educator, author, and problem-solving specialist
With over 20 years of experience, Ed has written numerous books on mathematics and currently works with Maths Horizons and Oak National Academy.
Known for his engaging geometry challenges and passion for recreational mathematics, Ed inspires students to embrace curiosity, tackle difficult problems with confidence and appreciate the beauty of elegant solutions. His session will explore how mathematicians think, why being "stuck" is often the beginning of real learning and how persistence and creativity can unlock new mathematical insights.
Fun fact: Ed has completed two Arctic marathons - for fun!
Author, broadcaster and Director of Maths Inspiration
Rob has written or co-written fourteen books exploring puzzles, recreational mathematics and the mathematics of everyday life. He is a familiar voice on BBC Radio, including the award-winning podcast More or Less.
Passionate about helping people discover mathematics in unexpected places, Rob brings together puzzles, patterns, and real-world applications to show how mathematical thinking helps us make sense of the world. His session will encourage students to think creatively, spot hidden connections and experience the fun and curiosity that lie at the heart of mathematics.
Fun fact: As a teenager, Rob made stop-motion animation films long before the days of Wallace and Gromit!
Kat and Lucy each chose a different positive integer and told their numbers to Megan. Megan wrote the sum of the two numbers on one slip of paper and their product on another. She hid one slip and showed the other to Kat and Lucy. The number on the slip she showed was 2026.
Kat said, “I do not know Lucy’s number.”
Lucy said, “I do not know Kat’s number.”
Kat then said, “Now I know Lucy’s number.”
Can you find the sum of the two numbers and their product?

Video produced by Ekaterina Eremenko, an award-winning documentary filmmaker known for her films about math and mathematicians.