A 105-year-old World War Two veteran, an Oscar-nominated novelist and England’s Euro 96 captain will all feature at this year’s Henley Literary Festival.
Hamnet author Maggie O’Farrell, recently nominated for an Oscar for adapting her international bestseller, will appear with her highly anticipated next novel Land, published next month.
Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell, one of the last surviving Mosquito pilots, will become the Festival’s oldest speaker to date when he discusses his 50 missions over Germany.
Coming to the Festival for the first time are Goodness Gracious Me star Dame Meera Syal with her long-awaited memoir and author of No.1 bestseller How To Be A Woman Caitlin Moran with the just announced How To Be Hopeful. And for the first time as an author, we welcome Gower Cottage Brownies founder, Kate Jenkins with The Brownie Book.
And 30 years after he captained England to the semi-final of Euro 96 Tony Adams, who also led Arsenal to domestic and European triumphs, reflects on that special year.
Celebrated cellist and conductor Julian Lloyd Webber reflects on a unique musical career while Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu shows how chemistry underpins our everyday existence in Chain Reaction.
In her centenary year royal historian Robert Hardman presents an authoritative, intimate account of Elizabeth II, while with Winnie the Pooh also marking 100 years in 2026 Jane Riordan comes to Henley with the continuing adventures of the beloved bear.
Also for children and their grown-ups, Draw With Rob sensation Rob Biddulph.
More names to be announced soon!
Tickets will go on sale to Gold and Platinum Friends on July 3, Friends on July 7 and general sale on July 13.